Why doesn't D.C. have any respectable public universities? (private schools, DMV)

[Yiuppy]

I was just wondering about this after a question posted in another thread. For DC residents, we have no respectable institutions for residents to become educated that is affordable, unlike every state has. Our only option is UDC. Otherwise, we have to pay high-priced out-of-state tuition or attend one of the other private schools here because we have no other resort. Sure, UDC is an acceptable institution for getting an undergraduate education. But in graduate school, prospective students look for a school with some amount of recognition and prestige, known for high-quality faculty and challenging, stimulating curricula, along with connections to many strong alum.

Why doesn't the city have any better options for public post-secondary education for its residents?

[pcity]

Originally Posted by Yiuppy

Otherwise, we have to pay high-priced out-of-state tuition or attend one of the other private schools here because we have no other resort.

Don't DC residents get in-state tuition at other states' universities? That seems like it would make up for the lack of DC public universities.

[juniperbleu]

I can't remember the specifics, but there is some sort of grant or something that makes up the difference at out-of-state universities for DC residents. However, I don't know if there are any requirements (i.e. good grades) or if it's also for graduate school. Another option is to move to MD or VA for however long it takes to establish residency and get your in-state tuition that way.

As far as "why", my guess is that it's just because DC's a city and hasn't necessarily had the funds or market to develop a high-class university.

[HurricaneDC]

I'm guessing that it might have to do with UDC simply never having had a chance to capture a group. All the rich people can afford to send their kids to private universities or out-of-state schools, all the really smart people get scholarships. The poor state of DCPS affairs means that many students simply aren't up-to-snuff for getting admitted to great schools, so UDC has had to fill in that knowledge gap, essentially turning it into a community college. Now that there's a CCDC and UDC, maybe that'll change.

I honestly don't think it will become a respectable university until DCPS becomes better.

[Yiuppy]

Originally Posted by pcity

Don't DC residents get in-state tuition at other states' universities? That seems like it would make up for the lack of DC public universities.

Not at all.

[DCforever]

Originally Posted by Yiuppy

Not at all.

Well yes

State Superintendent of Education: DCTAG, pg 1 (http://osse.dc.gov/seo/cwp/view,A,1226,Q,536770,seoNav_GID,1511,.asp - broken link)

[Forte]

check this out (http://osse.dc.gov/seo/cwp/view,A,1226,Q,536770,seoNav_GID,1511,.asp - broken link)

[SIZE=2]DC Tuition Assistance Grant Program (DCTAG) is what i was thinking about in the other post. pretty good program and it is not need or merit based.

to be honest a lot of the students who actually graduate from dcps and want to go to college usually want to get away from dc for a while. i know that a few university of maryland system schools do attract a lot of dc residents; bowie state university (pretty good, respectable hbcu, known for producing engineering students), university of maryland college park (probably the all around best Big school in the DMV region), and the university of maryland eastern shore (beautiful campus on the eastern shore of maryland)
[/SIZE]

[North Beach Person]

One theory is that UDC, which resulted from the merger of a couple or three other colleges, has tried to be too many things to too many people. A community college for vocational and remedial education, a 4 year university and a professional graduate school.

[Yiuppy]

Originally Posted by Forte

check this out (http://osse.dc.gov/seo/cwp/view,A,1226,Q,536770,seoNav_GID,1511,.asp - broken link)

[SIZE=2]DC Tuition Assistance Grant Program (DCTAG) is what i was thinking about in the other post. pretty good program and it is not need or merit based.

to be honest a lot of the students who actually graduate from dcps and want to go to college usually want to get away from dc for a while. i know that a few university of maryland system schools do attract a lot of dc residents; bowie state university (pretty good, respectable hbcu, known for producing engineering students), university of maryland college park (probably the all around best Big school in the DMV region), and the university of maryland eastern shore (beautiful campus on the eastern shore of maryland)
[/SIZE]

I received TAG assistance, and that barely covered my room and board costs for a year.

[Forte]

Originally Posted by Yiuppy

I received TAG assistance, and that barely covered my room and board costs for a year.

what school did you attend? it's supposed to cover i believe up to 10k of tuition.