Yes the $19K in state was for room and board included. I am focusing on PA schools for a few reasons. We live in San Diego. SDSU was where we figured he would go. Admissions says only 5.4% were admitted into their program last year. My sons grades and scores are frankly not high enough when compared to other candidates. SDSU does not allow an applicant to pick a second or third major either so if you don’t get into your intended major, you are out of luck for that school. Next reason is that there are only a couple Direct Admit RN programs in the whole State. UC Irvine is another one but has a super low acceptance rate as well. Other than those two schools there are only a couple Private schools which are way out of our price range. Another reason is that I am originally from Western PA and my son has several cousins going to University there and lots of family living in area. Another reason is that there is some kind of anomaly in PA with a huge number of direct admit programs available. Entrance requirements are much lower than CA schools. PA private schools offer great merit aid. Waynesburg for example has an online calculator and with my son’s grades and ACT scores indicates he would get $18K (1/2 COA). That’s without even exploring other types of work study or aid. Another reason is that I am a Physical Therapist with over 26 years experience, most of which is working in AZ and CA and I am stunned at how bad most of the nurses (and therapists for that matter) I have met are out West, especially in CA. Finally, and probably most importantly, the National Board pass rates for the PA schools is as good or better than the CA schools, even though the entrance standards are much higher in CA. Waynesburg is usually 100%