academic common market

I first learned about the Academic Common Market (ACM) when a neighbor's daughter wanted to go away to another state to study at a college that offered a major in Equestrian Science. The University of Delaware doesn't have a program in that field. But the ACM offered her an opportunity to afford to go to another school. The program allows people to pay in-state tuition rates for schools in participating states that offer programs not available in their own state. Delaware is one of 16 member states in the Market, which provides a win-win situation for students and schools. Students are able to pursue a course of study that they are interested in, even if it isn't offered locally. Schools are able to offer programs that might not be attractive to a large number of students otherwise.

Sixteen states, including Delaware, are part of the Academic Common Market. The others are Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia and West Virginia.

The participating colleges offer 1,170 majors in the program. Delawareans have access to 290 bachelor's degree programs, 360 master's programs and 190 doctoral programs.

Delaware joined the ACM in 1998, and more information about it can be found on the pages of the Delaware Higher Education Commission, including participating colleges, and the ability to search for a program (see the links at the bottom of their page).