<p>Someone who recruited at universities once said to me that of you are at the top at Penn State, you are at the top. I would think that would be true of Ohio State as well. You might be surprised by how many super smart kids go to their state flagships. Often very bright kids are from upper middle class families who make too much money for aid and they make the decision to go to the lower priced schools.</p>
<p>Many, many bright kids opt to follow the more practical route because they have siblings or they want their parents to have retirement savings.</p>