The deal is part of an initiative to draw more students from out-of-state as competition increases for America's declining number of college students.
NEW BRUNSWICK -- An out-of-state college wants New Jersey's students. And it's willing to cut its price in order to them get then.
The University of Maine, a public college in Orono, will let New Jersey students with a 3.0 and 1050 on the SAT attend the school for the same price of in-state tuition and fees at Rutgers Univeristy -- about a 50 percent discount.
The deal is part of an initiative to draw more students from out-of-state as competition increases for America's declining number of college students. Similar offers will be extended to students from five other northeast states, including Pennsylvania, according to the university.
"The University of Maine strives for diversity and academic excellence in its student body," said Joel Wincowski, the college's interim vice president for enrollment management. "Attracting students from New Jersey, as well as other states, is critical to meet those goals."
More than 650 New Jersey students applied to the University of Maine last year, but there are only 89 students from New Jersey currently enrolled, according to the school.
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The University of Maine costs $28,880 this year for out-of-state tuition and fees. In-state tuition and fees at Rutgers University's New Brunswick campus is $14,131.
Once room, board and other costs are included, the average student living on the New Brunswick campus pays a total bill of $26,185
"Our research shows there is strong interest in University of Maine, but competing on cost with Rutgers had been difficult," Wincowski said.
The University of Maine made the same statement about other schools in different states, such as the the University of Connecticut. It is using a similar billboard to advertise in each of its targeted states, changing only the name of flagship public college for each state.
The schools that the University of Maine will match the price for include Pennsylvania State University, the University of Massachusetts, the University of New Hampshire, The University of Vermont and the University of Connecticut.
Students must apply by Feb. 1 in order to qualify for the discounted tuition rate.
Rutgers officials weren't surprised that New Jersey is being targeted. The state is one of the largest exporters of college students in the country, and its students are attractive to colleges because they often rank among the best academically, said Courtney McAnuff, vice president of enrollment management for Rutgers.
Rutgers opened a new honors college in August to try to attract the state's best students.
"We do strive hard to keep the top students in the state," McAnuff said.
The tactic of matching Rutgers' tuition to attract more students has been used in the past. In 2011, Seton Hall offered to match Rutgers tuition for high performing students.
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