State Schools Get More Popular

March 2, 2009     Posted in News

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By Laura

The economy is in a bad place (duh) and funding is being cut all over the place. Schools have had to make serious cuts in various departments, businesses are closing, thousands of people have lost their jobs, and the uncertain job market makes the idea of finding a job after graduating college frightening.

Even more frightening, though, is the job market for those without a college education.

That fact, paired with the fact that most Americans have had to cut back on how much money they’re spending, has pushed more and more high school seniors to apply to public schools. Unlike their insanely expensive alternatives (the Privates), public universities and community colleges are extremely affordable and still provide an excellent education.

And now everyone is starting to notice.

There has been a huge increase in applications (SUNY New Paltz has over 15,000 students competing for 1,100 spots!), leaving college admissions offices across the country scratching their heads. The old formulas for acceptance don’t work and the schools are overwhelmed by the sheer number of applicants.

On the one hand, all of this attention is a great thing; not only does it increase the standards of the school (as many higher scorers are applying), but also brings a lot of other positive attention to the less talked about universities. At the same time, many schools, like New Paltz, are torn between letting more students in (and with them a lot more money) and maintaining the quality of student life and student-to-teacher ratio that their small student body allows.

Which would you prefer? More students (and more money) coming into your university, or the same small class sizes but less money for programs and necessary campus updates?

10 Comments on "State Schools Get More Popular"

  1. NPgal says:
    Mon, 2nd Mar 200910:32 am 

    Yeah state schools are the way to go. People think that you have to go to an expensive school to get a good education and that is hardly the case. I'm in my third year at SUNY New Paltz and I'm glad i chose to come here.

  2. Jess says:
    Mon, 2nd Mar 200910:43 am 

    I chose the worst time to go to a private university, but at least I love it there. I hope that the state schools don't lower the quality of education/life in trying to get more students in.

  3. snarktastic says:
    Mon, 2nd Mar 200910:50 am 

    you get what you pay for.

    and your "which would you prefer" is inaccurate. with more applications and interest, schools can improve and charge more to the current students while becoming more selective rather than stay the same. simple supply and demand.

    interesting article, though. it is well written. :)

  4. Krystal says:
    Mon, 2nd Mar 200911:28 am 

    In my state, it's all about CC. Everyone is going to community colleges that state schools actually are having a decrease in admission/enrollment. And the community colleges are overcrowded and dropping students.

  5. Jacks says:
    Mon, 2nd Mar 20091:38 pm 

    As snarktastic said, you get what you pay for. Some states have fantastic public school systems, other's don't.

    The Massachusetts State School System just cut $100 million from its budget.

  6. Emily says:
    Mon, 2nd Mar 20091:39 pm 

    I love my small, private, liberal arts college! Even though it is expensive, I know I am happier here than I would be at a state school!

  7. K says:
    Mon, 2nd Mar 20093:26 pm 

    I disagree with the concept of "you get what you pay for" in this instance. In my 3 years at SUNY Geneseo, I've had a great education in my major and minor program, lived in great on campus and off campus buildings, had a great social life, had countless extracurricular opportunities, done internships, studied abroad, and will be graduating a semester early. Just because mommy and daddy shelled out 50 grand a year for you to go to a well known private university doesn't mean you're going to have a good experience there. It depends on the person and the specific institution. I was accepted to three private colleges (the only other places I applied) but would not have had the same amazing experiences I have had here.

    Emily, you seem to have a predetermined idea of what all state colleges are like. Maybe you are happier at your private school than you would be if you went to the state colleges you are aware of, but they are not all created equal. Jacks is right. The New York, California, Pennsylvania and North Carolina state school systems, for example, are all exceptional. That stigma will not get you very far in today's world.

    And the comment about state schools lowering quality has nothing to do with trying to get in more students. A) they will look for the better qualified applicants, not just accept everyone, and improve their reputation at the same time and B) state funding determines what they can and cannot do which is a very sensitive issue during the current economic turmoil.

  8. nicole says:
    Mon, 2nd Mar 20097:19 pm 

    I attend a state school in MA, and I'm getting a pretty good education. However, the state just cut like 16-17% of our budget for next year. Not cool at all, but at least I'm graduating in May.

  9. Sam says:
    Tue, 3rd Mar 20098:10 am 

    I'm SO glad I transferred when I did. Now I'm at a state school that is half the price of the private University I attended for three years.

    I remember my guidance counselor in high school telling me not to worry about the cost of college because it always "gets taken care of." Ha, how times have changed already.

  10. Katie says:
    Wed, 4th Mar 200911:01 am 

    Bring in more students! We could add another 20 students to some of my classes…

    If letting in more students cuts down my tuition, I'm ALLLLLL for it!!

    So I'll have to get to class a little earlier to make sure I get a seat… big deal.

    :)

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