Maryland Accepts More Out-of-State Students

In these difficult economic times, it is a disgrace that SUNY gives preference to out of state students and charges them below market tuition. While the tuition for out of state students is more than in-state (13k v. 7K, tuition only), it is still appreciable less than what most state universities charge. To add insult to injury, out of state students are apparently admitted to SUNYS with appreciably lower SATs and GPAs than instate students. This is unacceptable. This does not enhance any diversity – most of the out of state students are from states like New Jersey and Connecticut and are not appreciably different from New York students

By giving preference to out of state students, the SUNYs are leaving New York residents with the choice of attending community colleges (even as is generally the case, the SATS and GPAS of in state applicants are higher than the out of state applicants admitted at these bargain rates to the 4 year SUNY colleges) or expensive private or out of state colleges (which charge out of state students much more than NY does). The benefit that the SUNY colleges receive from the out of state tuition is far far less than the burden New York state residents, including your constituents, bear to find another college.

Many other states’ universities are increasing out of state students in these difficult economic times, in order to increase tuition income. But other states are not giving away spots to out of state students at severely below market tuition rates.

Each SUNY now discloses the average SAT and GPA of admitted students. If the out of state students will not pay the market, then the in state students should have these spots. It is not enough to give SUNYs the power to charge out of state residents more, they have no incentive to bring fairness to the table – to them a student is a student. To you, some students are residents. Their response may very well be to charge the out of state student $15,000, again, below market, and to admit them with much lower SATs and GPAs.

did of NY 11:07AM February 27, 2009