Do Virginia's Best Students Get the Best?

Twenty years ago, Virginia high school students with good grades and extracurricular activities had little trouble gaining admission to their choice of the state’s top colleges and universities.

That was an era when the state’s top high school graduates could look forward to their choice of state schools. It was an era during which those students — and their parents — received a real bargain in higher education.

The story is becoming far different today. And for a reason that may open some eyes of casual observers.

Those top students are no longer assured of a place in the entering freshman class at such schools as William and Mary or the University of Virginia or James Madison University. Why? Because of tougher competition from out-of-state students.

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The Washington Post detailed the story last week with the example of a Winchester student who had a great academic transcript, played flute in the band, was president of the Spanish club and amassed more than 100 hours of community service. But it wasn’t good enough for admission to the College of William and Mary, which was her first choice.

The school favored applicants from outside Virginia to increase the number of incoming freshman who pay two to three times the tuition charged to Virginia students. That push, which has more to do with increasing revenues than accepting top-notch students, has made it tougher for Virginia students to get accepted.

Since the start of the recession in mid-2007, state funding for higher education in Virginia has dropped by 20 percent. So when the General Assembly says “sorry” to those schools, they have to look elsewhere to prop up sagging revenues. Out-of-state students generally pay the full cost of their education, effectively subsidizing their in-state classmates.

The University of Virginia, along with universities in other states, offered admission to more nonresident students this year than last year simply to shore up their numbers and the revenues they brought with them. UVa accepted more out-of-state students this year than last and slightly fewer Virginians.

Virginia higher education officials say any fluctuation in the admissions mix is purely temporary, the Post reported. A state cap forbids Virginia universities from raising their share of nonresident students above historic levels. At Virginia and William and Mary, residents still outnumber nonresidents by about 2 to 1.

Yet, the schools are pushing those limits in the chase for nonresident tuition dollars. At William and Mary, two thirds of tuition revenue — $58 million — comes from nonresidents who pay $30,964 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,800 for residents.

Those Virginia students who do get into the Virginia school of their choice are still receiving an educational bargain. But fewer of them are being accepted. State lawmakers should consider that when the Assembly reconvenes in January and they are asked to make further cuts to higher education in Virginia.

The best Virginia students deserve the best. It doesn’t sound like some in this year’s freshman class are getting it.