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<p>It could have a lot to do with the OP question - if a student is looking for a large OOS student population because of a desire to have a campus full of students from a variety of places, backgrounds, beliefs etc.</p>
<p>All mom2collegekids and I are staying is that the stated OOS % does not necessarily fully represent the # of kids that are not “local.” </p>
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<p>Exactly! </p>
<p>Many people want to know if their OOS kid will feel “weird” attending “such and such” school, so many look to the OOS numbers. </p>
<p>My point was that looking at how many students are “in-state” does not always tell the whole story. I’m always being asked, “Will my NE (or west coast) kid feel strange at the University of Alabama”? The answer is no. And Tuscaloosa feels like any other city. It has the major chain restaurants, stores, etc, that you see in many American cities these days - Barnes and Noble, AnnTaylor, New York & Co, Target, Panera Bread, TGIFridays, Chili’s, Best Buy, Cold Stone, 5 Guys, etc. Of course, it has some regional favorites, too (like any town does). </p>
<p>Before we visited UAlabama, we wondered if our Catholic kids would be an exception there. When we saw the big Catholic church across the street from campus, we knew the answer. LOL There are many various Christian churches around the campus, as well as a Hillel for Jewish students (a temple is being built on campus next to the Hillel), and worship places for Hindus and Muslims are near campus, too. Of course, a non-believer will also feel welcome at UAlabama. 
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<p>I know that if I were to visit many state schools (especially regional publics), most of the kids would likely be “born and bred” locals. However, in a state like Alabama, which has the second largest research park in the nation (Cummings Research Park), there are going to be thousands and thousands of highly educated transplants (from all over this country) whose kids are now attending The University of Alabama. Therefore, the “in-state” numbers are not going to reflect the diversity of regional cultures that is there.</p>
<p>I didn’t intend for this post to be this long, but my earlier attempt was misunderstood. I don’t think the point of this thread was about “tuition” and how many pay in-state.</p>
<p>:)</p>