Op, in most states it's important that it's The Flagship within the state - the predominate school, the one which would attract the best students in that state. There are a few states where it could be argued there is a runner-up to the flagship so close is prestige that one could choose either. But start with identifying The Flagship is each state.

Having said the above - what's now important is fit and geography. Do not ignore voting patterns and consider your child's politics. It's no fun to go out of state and have it be extra-hard to find your people. Geography: how are they going to get their - airports/college shuttles, etc. Know the % of undergraduate vs graduate. Know the % who live in college housing and if it's available. Know the % for Greek Life and it your child wants it or wants to avoid it. Cost, if cost is a huge consideration, apply widely and wait for final figures on cost-of-attendance before falling in love.

I went to the University of Illinois. I am from Illinois, and I liked it just fine. Wasn't a Greek or an athlete, studied political science and generally enjoyed it.

UC- Berkeley.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Some of the good ones are:

University of Texas - Austin
Wisconsin - Madison and Austin are my two favorite college cities
Penn State
Maryland
UVA
North Carolina
Oregon
Univ of Washington
Arizona
Arizona State

madison is really pretty but the job prospects are hit or miss.



UT is reigional

PSU's brand is finished.

Maryland is ugly.

UVA is douche central

UNC is a plantation school

Oregon is a football factory

UWashington - great school, but outside of stem, no national recognition.

AZ/ASU - super hot student body in inverse proportion to academic exellence.

There's only 2 d1 state schools that are worth it on a national basis (maybe 3 if you include michigan) but they are Cal and UCLA.

This is not a helpful post.

Maryland
Pitt
UNC Chapel Hill
Cal
Michigan

Anonymous wrote:Some of the good ones are:

University of Texas - Austin
Wisconsin - Madison and Austin are my two favorite college cities
Penn State
Maryland
UVA
North Carolina
Oregon
Univ of Washington
Arizona
Arizona State

madison is really pretty but the job prospects are hit or miss.

UT is reigional

PSU's brand is finished.

Maryland is ugly.

UVA is douche central

UNC is a plantation school

Oregon is a football factory

UWashington - great school, but outside of stem, no national recognition.

AZ/ASU - super hot student body in inverse proportion to academic exellence.

There's only 2 d1 state schools that are worth it on a national basis (maybe 3 if you include michigan) but they are Cal and UCLA.

University of Kansas
The Ohio State University
Michigan
Cal

Anonymous wrote:What does your child want to major in?

My friend's daughter is University of Michigan graduate, came out with math/econ major 2 years ago, and is struggling to find a job in NYC. Did Teach for America after graduating and now looking to work in finance. Brilliant student both in hs and college. She had the same criteria as OP's child when searching for college to attend.

her error was not getting into Ross and doing finance recruiting.

OP here.
Daughter wants to study math/finance/economics. Along those lines. Not sure what the end goal is but loves math.

Wants the big university experience. We're in DC so she'll get $10K a year through the TAG program to attend state school (not a huge amount but it's something).

It's very competitive at Michigan. A family member did very well with job placement post college but he is street smart and made it a priority to enter the undergraduate business school and into a fraternity where he was clued in. The resources and reputation to support job seekers is there but there's no handholding at a big state university. DC was from a big, competitive high school so perhaps came in better prepared to deal with that.

Unless I lived in the state, I wouldn't go to any of them. You'll have to pay out of state rates that make it almost as expensive as private.

What does your child want to major in?

My friend's daughter is University of Michigan graduate, came out with math/econ major 2 years ago, and is struggling to find a job in NYC. Did Teach for America after graduating and now looking to work in finance. Brilliant student both in hs and college. She had the same criteria as OP's child when searching for college to attend.

Some of the good ones are:

University of Texas - Austin
Wisconsin - Madison and Austin are my two favorite college cities
Penn State
Maryland
UVA
North Carolina
Oregon
Univ of Washington
Arizona
Arizona State

University of Michigan or Berkeley.

My husband and I went to small liberal arts colleges but child wants the big, division 1 state university experience.
I realize this is a crazy broad question but which would be your number 1 choice to attend?