New Jersey is known for its “brain drain” – with about 30,000 high school graduates heading out of state for college each year, leaving behind about 25,000 to attend in-state colleges and universities, according to Federal data.
Where do migrating students go? The Chronicle of Higher Education found that the majority of students are attracted to schools in nearby states. The University of Delaware is always high on the list. In neighboring Pennsylvania, students are attracted to a host of universities: Penn State, Drexel, Villanova, Temple, St. Joseph’s, and Lehigh.
New York is also a popular college destination, with New Jersey students particularly attracted to New York University (NYU) and Syracuse University.
It’s not that New Jersey is lacking colleges. It houses 19 public community colleges where many high school graduates choose to begin their education and strive to earn an associate degree without accumulating substantial student debt. New Jersey is also home to 11 public four-year colleges and universities, with highly regarded Rutgers University enrolling about 65,000 students spread over campuses in New Brunswick, Piscataway, Newark and Camden. Also, New Jersey boasts 14 private colleges and universities, including Princeton University, which is often ranked as the premiere college in the country.
Why does this brain drain exist? New Jersey is a small state, making it easy for students to cross the border to attend college while still remaining close to home. New Jersey is also an expensive state. The high cost of attending college in New Jersey -- even the public universities -- makes out-of-state schools extremely attractive when they offer substantial grant, or scholarship, funds.
Colleges in neighboring states actively recruit New Jersey students because they view New Jersey as having many stellar schools and strong applicants. Colleges and universities that round out the list of top schools with the most NJ students include the University of Maryland, Towson (MD), University of Rhode Island, University of Scranton (PA), James Madison (VA), Boston University (MA), University of Pittsburgh (PA), University of Michigan, Cornell University (NY), George Washington University (Washington D.C.), Pace University (NY), Johnson & Wales University (RI), Quinnipiac University (CT), West Chester University (PA), Northeastern University (MA), and Loyola University (MD).
Susan Alaimo is the founder and director of Collegebound Review that, for the past 25 years, has offered PSAT/SAT® preparation and private college advising by Ivy League educated instructors. Visit CollegeboundReview.com or call 908-369-5362
No comments:
Post a Comment