More are choosing state schools

AMHERST, Mass. (WWLP) - When Samantha Colarusso was looking for a college, she chose UMass Amherst because it was affordable.

"My mom's a single mother. Obviously that was one of the top priorities I was looking for,” Colarusso said. That’s what a lot of students are looking for. Public colleges and universities in Massachusetts have seen a 23% increase in undergraduate enrollment over the last decade. Private colleges only saw a 7% increase.

"It's easier to get funding for a state school than a private school, as well as UMass is 20 grand a year rather than 40 grand for a private school,” UMass sophomore Dominic Girardi said.

It's not just cost, students told us they knew they can get a great education at a public university. They say it's a great value.

"For the price of the school you definitely get the most out of it because the value of the teaching that you get here,” UMass freshman Lauren Lynde said.

Many students told us that they don't want to have the stress of high student debt. "You can only do so much with money, so I don't want to be paying for years and paying forever,” freshman Andy O’Loughlin said. “I don't want to leave all the loans on my parents."

Student also told 22News that with the economy the way it is right now, UMass was the smart decision.

It's not just UMass Amherst that is seeing a spike in applications. Enrollment at Framingham State University jumped by 15% and enrollment at Worcester State University grew by 9%.