Another PA resident weighing in whose perception of “value” is colored by the high cost of our in-state schools. My personal experience is with U of SC. My D headed there four years ago with merit that meant a cost of about $10,000 less per year than the in-state cost for Pitt, Penn State, or Temple (now in mid-30’s) – plus she preferred South Carolina. I should note that there are some good PASSHE schools that would have cost slightly less than U of SC, but with a very different environment.
At $45,000 OOS with zero merit, U of SC (and U Alabama) are not considered that pricey for a number of kids from my area (suburban Philadelphia). And for those kids who do get merit, even the smallest merit award at U of SC makes the cost comparable to the three schools noted above.
Other popular publics around here are U Delaware ($51,000 OOS), U Maryland ($53,000 OOS) and U Vermont ($60,000 OOS). Some students are getting merit, but I’ve got to think many are full (or close to full) pay. Agree with @4kids4us that some kids
Some are kids who didn’t get into Penn State main campus or who would have been required to do (and pay extra for) Summer Session; others just want something “different.” If finances permit, then why not?