UMCP is a good option if one can get in. UMBC is also good for STEM.

Virginia has more range/depth of public colleges IF that is valuable.

We love having such a wide variety of public colleges available in VA and explored a lot of them for our kid (current junior). DC’s preference has settled on LACs, and UMW is actually at the top of their list. Going to revisit W&M, which didn’t make a good impression the first time around but DC wants to give it another chance.

JMU, GMU, and VCU are also very solid second-tier options after UVA/W&M/Tech, and there are lots of second-/third-tier but still quite solid LACs. VA’s depth and variety of options are greater than MD’s.

But we already lived here. If we were settled in MD the way we are settled in VA (nearby family, friends, jobs), I’m not sure I’d uproot all that for future college choices.

Anonymous wrote:What is the problem you are trying to avoid by doing this OP? We are a UMD family and our kids (3) went to UMCP, and they all turned out great. My siblings live in VA, and their kids went to VA state schools - UVa, VT, and W&M. They also turned out very well. I don't know where you live really matters that much.

Some people really get caught in a hamster wheel of optimization.

What is the problem you are trying to avoid by doing this OP? We are a UMD family and our kids (3) went to UMCP, and they all turned out great. My siblings live in VA, and their kids went to VA state schools - UVa, VT, and W&M. They also turned out very well. I don't know where you live really matters that much.

Anonymous wrote:We currently live in Maryland with one young elementary school-aged daughter. She’s still years off from college, obviously, but we have started to talk about the fact that University of Maryland seems like our only nationally-acclaimed public university option—while Virginia has UVA, VTech, W&M, etc, each with its own personality and vibe. Is it worth it to consider moving now to expand our daughter’s college options later? I’m interested in hearing from anyone who has done this, or considered it, and how you felt about it. Did your kid end up choosing a Virginia university? Or did you make the move only for them to end up at a liberal arts college out of state, etc.?

One of the reasons we live in VA is for the college system. But we never lived in MD so can't speak to whether we would have uprooted and moved. That's a very personal decision.

My kids didn't end up in state schools but I'm really glad they had that option. Maybe they will go for grad school who knows. A lot of their friends are taking advantage of the state schools and having good experiences. VA really does have an excellent college/univ system.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think Virginia has better options below UVA/WM than Maryland has below UMD.

But if it will make your commute horrible, don’t do it too soon. Driving across the bridge twice a day, ugh.

Agree that VA has better options below UVA/WM, but do you think you'll take advantage? I know more than one family who moved to Virginia for the colleges, and their DCs go to JMU or CNU because they couldn't break into UVA, etc. from NOVA. Older DC went to W&M (sigh of relief), but younger DC did not have the stats for UVA, W&M or VT. He's going to a private school that costs us less than W&M in-state tuition. It's a great fit for him -- much better than JMU, VCU, GMU would have been. But he'd have the same option if he were coming from MD.

Another thing to keep it in mind - it appears to me that it's easier to get into UVA from Bishop O'Connell than Yorktown, based on my anecdotal evidence from friends and neighbors. So are you prepared to pony up for private HS to better position your child for UVA?

Yes, but that same kid isn’t going to get into umd either. I’d take having jmu, gmu, vcu, tech, as options over Towson, jmbc, and Salisbury. We moved to dmv eight years ago, and deeply regret living in Moco over nova. It’s not just the colleges either. If I’m op, I’m getting out now.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Are you planning on having other children? To me, this move makes sense if you have a big family, like four or more children, wear chances are high that a couple of them will remain in state. The math and odds don’t make sense to me for an only child, or even for two.

Despite what you see on this board, most kids go in-state. OP is willing to move which tells you the financial aspects are of top consideration for her family. MANY families to not allow their kid to go out of state or private for financial reasons.

So bizarre. If the constraint is financial, admit the constraint is financial. The political subdivision within which a school is located can be a factor in price, but it’s not the only one.

Anonymous wrote:Yes do it for better/stronger college options in VA. But also for far better infrastructure, economic growth and stability. Beware - whether VA or MD, don't buy in a county that starts with Prince. And keep in mind UVA, W&M, and such will only take so many from each HS.

Might be a good strategy to move into a school district with lower stats, to have a better chance of admission to UVA, W&M and VT. It worked for us. One at UVA, second admitted to VT.

My older child moved to VA without me from DC. He started in NVCC in fall 2025 and has over 50 credits already. He should get in-state by September or when transferring to GM in fall 2027.
He works 30-40 hours right now and has enough not to ask me for money. His 529 is just sitting there.
He has a lease, paid his VA taxes for 2025, has VA DL since June, and signed up to vote. Starting in CC was his choice.
I will move to VA with the younger DC in 6 years to get in-state at some point. We will pay out of state tuition until eligible.
We don't want to leave DC quite yet. Kid loves his friends and should get quite a lot of credits transferred like his brother did. He is also way sharper and has the benefit of seeing where brother went wrong or right.
Younger DC received an inheritance, but he is too cheap to spend it on private college or out-of-state tuition.

Anonymous wrote:Are you planning on having other children? To me, this move makes sense if you have a big family, like four or more children, wear chances are high that a couple of them will remain in state. The math and odds don’t make sense to me for an only child, or even for two.

Despite what you see on this board, most kids go in-state. OP is willing to move which tells you the financial aspects are of top consideration for her family. MANY families to not allow their kid to go out of state or private for financial reasons.

Anonymous wrote:Are you planning on having other children? To me, this move makes sense if you have a big family, like four or more children, wear chances are high that a couple of them will remain in state. The math and odds don’t make sense to me for an only child, or even for two.

*where, sorry

Are you planning on having other children? To me, this move makes sense if you have a big family, like four or more children, wear chances are high that a couple of them will remain in state. The math and odds don’t make sense to me for an only child, or even for two.

Anonymous wrote:I think Virginia has better options below UVA/WM than Maryland has below UMD.

But if it will make your commute horrible, don’t do it too soon. Driving across the bridge twice a day, ugh.

Agree that VA has better options below UVA/WM, but do you think you'll take advantage? I know more than one family who moved to Virginia for the colleges, and their DCs go to JMU or CNU because they couldn't break into UVA, etc. from NOVA. Older DC went to W&M (sigh of relief), but younger DC did not have the stats for UVA, W&M or VT. He's going to a private school that costs us less than W&M in-state tuition. It's a great fit for him -- much better than JMU, VCU, GMU would have been. But he'd have the same option if he were coming from MD.

Another thing to keep it in mind - it appears to me that it's easier to get into UVA from Bishop O'Connell than Yorktown, based on my anecdotal evidence from friends and neighbors. So are you prepared to pony up for private HS to better position your child for UVA?

I'd do it. It's always wonderful to have a great range of in state options, even as a backup. But not only that, Maryland is just getting more and more high tax with steady increases in taxes and fees. Suburbs are suburbs.

You can always ask chat. Put down all your goals and the options and see what it tells you. Include your incomes, housing prices, assets, and it can run the long term cost scenario of either state.

I think it is a good idea, OP. We moved here from the Northeast while my kids were little and I am thrilled with the options.