<p>Speaking as a Mom right now, I would want my child to be close enough to come home a couple times a semester (if only overnight) and be able to use mass transit to do so. That said, I am hoping my D chooses a college within 4-5 hours away and with easy Amtrak accessibility.</p>
<p>Another factor in my decision would be (and I don't know how California is with this) is that the in state tuition rate at your state schools is so much cheaper than going outside of the state. Also, does your state offer a lot of FA on the state level as well. In NY if you go to an in state school you are eligible for state aid. Out of state out of luck.</p>
<p>Overall, I would want you to go where you think you would be happy and graduate with the least debt. That is more important to me than any ranking or prestige. Lots of very successful people have graduated from lesser known U's. </p>
<p>What do your parents say?</p>