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For full-pay families, I think that highly-regarded OOS public schools like W&M are worthwhile because, despite the undeniable higher cost than at an instate public school, it’s still $12-18K less per year than comparable highly-regarded private schools, many of which do not award merit aid. If your yearly college budget is $45K, W&M is within your budget, while Gettysburg and Muhlenberg are not. </p>
<p>laurendog, we paid full OOS price for W&M twice because it was within our budget. My d3 loved Muhlenberg and would have applied there if she hadn’t been accepted ED at W&M. But she would only have attended if she’d received a merit scholarship, because we were committed to that budget (and very thankful that the US higher education system offered our d options like W&M). </p>
<p>It’s not unheard of for OOS students to receive finaid at W&M, though the school is committed to meeting the needs of VA residents first, and much of its aid for students with lesser need is in loans, not grants. The only public schools that meet full need for OOS students are UVA and UNC-CH, I believe. A student with need will often receive a much better aid package at Gettysburg/Muhlenberg than at W&M. All are excellent schools.</p>