Every year, many seniors face one of the biggest decisions of their lives: Where to go for college? At Ankeny, the counselors report that about 74% of seniors plan on getting a 4-year or 2-year degree after graduation. That means, they are faced with the dilemma of finding a college that has their major, fits their lifestyle, and most importantly, a college that fits their budget.

“Especially in this economy, if you can pay as little for school as you can, that definitely plays a big part [in the college decision],” senior Olivia Harris said. She is planning to attend Illinois State University.

Education Data Initiative reports that the average cost of in-state tuition in Iowa is about $22,375. Out-of-state tuition typically costs even more, but programs such as the Midwestern Higher Education Compact (MHEC) work to combat the rising cost of colleges by offering in-state tuition prices for students from the Midwest who choose to attend college in the Midwest.

“I get in-state tuition because Illinois is a border state,” Harris explains.

The MHEC gives in-state tuition to students from the Midwest who go to public colleges within the Midwest. This means that even though Harris is from Iowa, she will have the same cost as someone from Illinois.

“I’m sure scholarships can help bring it down,” senior Eli Pattee said. “But out-of-state tuition is very expensive.”

Scholarships are another thing students consider when applying for college. Ankeny tries to provide students with scholarship opportunities through programs such as Dollars for Scholars. Read more about Dollars for Scholars in The Talon article by Lydia Gerety. While individual scholarships may be smaller, they can add up, creating a drastic decrease in the cost of college.

“Right now, adding up all of my scholarships, my first semester is covered, and then I only have to pay $2,000 out of pocket for second semester,” Harris explained.

Closeness to Home

After being at Ankeny for so long, many students feel a connection to it that makes them want to stay near Ankeny. 

“I want to be able to come home and see my family, and see high school plays, and stuff like that. That’s important to me,” Pattee said.

As Pattee mentioned, family can also play an important role in college decisions. The physical closeness of family can create a sort of safety net.

“I think being close to family is helpful in the sense that I know if I need anything, I can call, and they’ll only be like an hour away,” Harris said.

Iowa has 52 different colleges, including four-year colleges, community colleges, and healthcare colleges. Made by Kayleigh Lacina using Zee Maps.

Still, other students also opt for emotional closeness by going to the same school their parents attended.

“Both my parents went to Iowa State, and both my dad’s parents worked for Iowa State, so it’s kind of a legacy thing,” Pattee explained.

But other students feel differently, as they wish for space from their family.

“My mom works at Iowa State, so I knew I was not going there,” senior Nolan Gentry said. He is planning to attend the University of Iowa.

Students also mention feeling more comfortable at in-state schools because they have more experience with them. Numerous students mentioned doing programs at Iowa colleges while still in high school, leading to students feeling comfortable on campus.

“I’m familiar with Iowa State,” senior Zoe Hutchinson said. “I feel like there’s that sense of life.”

Despite the numerous benefits, about 16% of Ankeny students still choose to leave Iowa for college. Students should consider both options.

“Apply to colleges that maybe you won’t get into,” Harris encouraged. “Reach further than you think you can get.”