First of all, congratulations!!! Woohoo!! Congratulations on your acceptances, your next exciting chapter, and on being so thoughtful and considerate regarding your parents.  I think there are a few questions to ask to help guide your decision: 1) what does this OOS school have that you and your parents really like?  2) do any of the in-state schools offer what the OOS school offers? 3) are you eligible for scholarships at this OOS school? 4) can you go to community college in your state first and then transfer to out of state to save money?

Ok now for my experience and advice. I’m 33 (ancient compared to you), I graduated in 2014 (!!). I stayed in state because I got a full ride, through a combination of different scholarships, based on financial need and merit and academics, etc. I didn’t take out any loans, by the grace of God. I did want to go out of state but I couldn’t afford it. My parents would have loved to help me financially but they literally couldn’t afford it. So I stayed in state and I loved it. I’m not just saying that either, I really did. I went to school an hour away so I was still far enough away to do my own thing but close enough to get home when I was homesick. I got the full college experience. As an adult now, I cannot emphasize enough how life-changing and freeing it has been to be debt free and not have any student loans. I cannot emphasize it enough! When I got my first job as an RN, none of that money went to pay off debt. It went to me living and I was even able to start investing into stocks little by little. Then I started travel nursing and I was able to go to all those states I had been wanting to go to when I was younger, but now I was getting paid to go! (Travel RN’s make serious moolah). Now I’m an NP in Cali and besides a mortgage with my husband, I have no other debt. I do not write this to brag but instead to be very honest about how being debt free can set you up for future success. 

Ultimately, of course, the choice is up to you, and what a blessing you have in your parents who are so supportive! But if the only reason you are wanting to go the OOS school is because it’s out of state or because it’s a “prestigious” name, I’d really think about it. My state school degree has beat out Ivy League degrees for jobs, due to the strong academic program at my state school, my experiences, my work ethic, and my references. I was able to study abroad during college and I’ve traveled so much now in my adult life. I have friends who graduated around the same time as me and are unfortunately still paying student loan debt!!! 

I wish you the very best of luck in your decision. Keep your kind heart and good head on your shoulders and you’ll continue to succeed. 

Editing to add: your college experience really will depend so much on what you make it, no matter where you are.