<p>I understand why many public universities have high numbers of in-state students, but what does it mean when private colleges do? </p>
<p>For example, I'm interested in Meredith College, but 89% of the students are from in-state. I'm curious about what that indicates.</p>
<p>It means the school isn’t well known out of state. At most private schools, the vast majority come from in-state, and often from within less than fifty miles. Generally speaking, the schools that have a vast majority of students from within the state are less selective than schools which have a more national draw. They also tend to have lower endowments. Not that this is not always true. NYU (one of the most national non Ivy or quasi Ivy universities in the US) has a per student endowment of less than $70,000. Berry College, which in 2010 drew 72% of its freshmen from Georgia, boasts an endowment of over $300,000 per full time enrolled student. </p>
<p>One thing to be cautious of when it comes to private colleges with a high in state percent is that they may be commuter or suitcase schools. I can name a couple of non adult learning focused private institutions within the LA metropolitan area which meet this description. None of those schools are “College Confidential popular”, or particularly well regarded.</p>
<p>As a side note, I attend a school which fifteen years ago drew the vast majority of students from Georgia and surrounding Southeastern states. Back then, it was far less selective, somewhat of a suitcase school, and from what alumni indicated, the academics weren’t as strong as they are today (however, that has more to do with curricular reforms put in place in the past seven years than the increasing quality of the student body). </p>
<p>Note that just because a school primarily draws from in-state, it doesn’t necessarily mean that the academics will be poorer. Hampden-Sydney College which gets over 68% of its students from within Virginia, is frequently noted for its rigorous curriculum and grading standards. It’s less selective but that doesn’t mean expectations aren’t extremely high.</p>
<p>I agree with just about everything whenhen said. I’d only add that even some well-known and highly selective private schools draw their student bodies heavily from in-state. The University of Southern California, for example, draws about 60% of its students from California, and Rice (in Houston) draws about 50% from Texas. Even mighty Stanford is about 40% Californians. Notice that these are schools in geographically large states with huge populations. </p>
<p>NYU is about 30% New Yorkers, but if you add in nearby New Jersey and Connecticut, that figure swells to about 50%.</p>
<p>It’s really only a few dozen highly selective colleges and universities that tend to draw a large fraction of their students from outside their home state or region. And even the most elite schools have something of a home-state or home-region tilt.</p>
<p>Since Meredith is a small private all female school, it’s not going to be on a lot of students’ radar. I know four women from three different generations who attended Meredith and all loved it. All were from NC but I don’t think that really matters that much if you like the college. </p>
<p>Also keep in mind that Raleigh is a big city with four or five colleges so there are LOTS of college students in Raleigh. NC State with it’s 30,000 students is just right down the road from Meredith. The people I knew who went to Meredith didn’t go home too often because Raleigh is such a “happenin’ place” with all those college kids in such close proximity. Three of the four ladies I know who went to Meredith ended up marrying NC State guys.</p>
<p>When my S was at NCSU, he had a roommate from Chicago and a best friend who was from Iowa. If you really like Meredith, I wouldn’t let the high precentage of NC students put you off.</p>