It’s all a business. In Illinois(UIUC) they had a target goal of 20% Asian and had recruitment centers in China etc. This International full pay model money didn’t happen by accident. We Ilinoisans complained loudly and a few years ago UIUC starting taking 70% instate compared to what they did prior. But since our Governor at the time didn’t care no Maps money and basically no scholarship money. $500 for a 35 Act is a joke. So yes, Alabama starting giving 2/3 - full rides to get these high stats kids. I think I saw that like 80% of kids accepted to UIUC as freshman go OOS. Not the article I was looking for but :https://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/20180223/ISSUE01/180229949/why-so-many-undergraduates-leave-illinois
Calling Illinois the most recruited state.
People in Georgia had the same problem when their tip top kids couldn’t get into Georgia Tech. They changed that by accepting more instate due to parental pressure.
Michigan is a very unique Public. Besides being a top university that has draw power. They have one of the highest family incomes at something like $156,000 avg OOS family and the top 9% of families make $650,000. The school runs more like a private school and the rumors are out there. They do definitely take instate kids with lower stats but can only or only want to go so low. Their Senior high school population is down in state and if they don’t have the scores, they won’t be accepted. Yes, The state of Michigan has lots of options. Many kids just apply to Michigan, Michigan State and Wayne/Grand Valley /Oakland University.
So our instate Illinois kid is at Michigan since UIUC gave no money at all. I talk to parents daily that can’t believe their sending their kids to Alabama or the like. But here’s the real problem for Illinois besides losing kids that might not move back. The kids at schools like Alabama “Really” like the school /culture etc then tell their younger friends in high school. They are getting great internships since Alabama went out of their way to make sure that Microsoft, Google, Amazon Etc were on board.
Not sure how long they can keep it up but it’s a business model that other states will soon adapt to. The first doing something like this are usually the most successful.