Beckee- thanks for pointing out what I was going to say exactly!

As a California high school student, I looked out of state because it was cheaper. I ended up at a very expensive, private liberal arts college because it was CHEAPER than public university in CA. I was able to graduate in 3 1/2 years, they accepted my AP class credits, allowed for credit transfer from the local junior college and were generous with financial aid. While my friends in UC and CSU schools were still trying to cobble enough units together to graduate, I was working.

I had several friends who also applied to pubic universities in other states, moved there and took up 'residence' early on so they would be eligible for in-state tuition. Two went to Alaska where the tuition and living expenses were dirt cheap in comparison.