At the start of the process of selecting the best college, the location can seem like the most important aspect.
As you do your research and learn more about the schools on your list, chances are geographic location will drop further and further down as a priority.
If you are absolutely certain that you want to attend college out-of-state, make sure you aren’t missing something good at your expense. You might want to go far from home based on an emotional desire to engage more fully in the “college experience” and to get away from home and family and establish yourself as an independent person.
But it is almost always more affordable to go to a school in your home state, where you have established residency. This is because attending college as an out-of-state non-resident automatically makes it much more expensive.
Many students are also surprised when they get out of the nest. Some find that they have a harder time without the support of family, friends and familiar surroundings. This is a good subject to bring up with other adults in your life. Ask people you admire what they did and why.