<p>
</p>
<p>I live in Delaware now but I grew up in and went to college in Virginia (W&M) and now send my son to college in Virginia (W&M) so I can respond for the Commonwealth. State schools in Virginia have a cap on OOS enrollments - I believe it is 30% - which does make admission for OOS more competitive than for IS.</p>
<p>While it is true that the OOS cost is eye-popping at some of the top publics (Michigan, for one) there are too many variables based on personal situations, preferences, and dumb luck to go with a blanket “one is better than the other.” Apply where you have an interest – whether it’s private, public IS, or public OOS – and see what offers you get. My son chose OOS public over several privates, another OOS public, and our pretty darn good in-state public. My daughter is in the process now and is leaning OOS public or value-priced private. My kids are lucky in that we can swing it financially if we have to, but absent some pretty significant aid, we wouldn’t go for a big-ticket ($50K/year) private.</p>