Out-of-state schools lure California students

Higher tuition and big cutbacks at California’s public colleges and universities have in-state students being courted by out-of-state schools.

The Los Angeles Times reports schools in neighboring states – such as Arizona, Oregon and Washington – are stepping up recruitment of California high school students. Those schools are advertising special discounts, small classes and numerous courses that are available.

The University of California and Cal State University systems are struggling with repeated state funding cuts of more than $1.5 billion over the past decade. A recent report by the Public Policy Institute of California found that the number of the state’s high school graduates enrolling in UC and Cal State has dropped by nearly 20 percent in three years.

Some state schools are also filling seats with more international and out-of-state students who pay higher tuition than resident students.

KCRW’s Steve Chiotakis spoke with LA Times staff writer Stephen Ceasar about the trend.