<p>“So does that mean that if you had got into an elite private university (Harvard, Yale, MIT etc.) but weren’t going to get financial aid and were reluctant to pay the fees, you would choose your local university instead?”</p>
<p>Yes, people are often reluctant or unable to pay private school fees and decide instead to attend a state university. There are some extremely talented kids who do this.</p>
<p>“Do people who went to a local university have the same job prospects as those who went to elite private ones?”</p>
<p>There are very few careers in which it would make a difference if you had attended a top tier private school vs a top tier state school. It is probably more important what you study that where you study as far as job prospects are concerned.</p>
<p>“Up until a few years ago in England tuition fees were limited to £3000, so people went to the best place they were admitted to. Now fees at almost all unis are £9000, but I don’t think anyone would turn down Oxford/Cambridge just to save money by staying at home.”</p>
<p>Nobody suggested that. Oxford and Cambridge are a bargain at 9000 pounds. Harvard and the other Ivies are a great deal more expensive unless you get significant financial aid. That is why students look at alternatives. In the US, unlike the UK, there are excellent alternatives at lower cost rather than all the universities charging around 9000 pounds.</p>
<p>“Maybe the culture of leaving home for university isn’t there as much for you guys.”</p>
<p>Not true. In addition to financial aid there is also merit aid and many students take advantage of it to attend college far from home. My son has a full tuition scholarship and will be attending college almost 2,000 miles from home.</p>