The University of California system, one of the most prestigious public school systems in the world, should no longer be called the University of California.  It should be called the University of Out of State Students.

Despite years of state taxes California families pay that go to support the UC system, many schools are passing on residents and picking international students who pay higher tuition.

This goes against the idea of public education.

International students whose parents don’t pay any taxes to the state education system are finding themselves more welcome at UC schools.  In 2012, UC schools accepted 43 percent more out-of-state and international students than the previous year.

California students, however, experienced a steady decline of acceptance rate as international and out-of-state students seemingly took their places. In fact, California students’ acceptance rate has declined 10 percent in the past five years, according to the Los Angeles Times.

The UC director of undergraduate admissions said UC schools do not have enough funding to admit more California students, according to the Los Angeles Times.

International students are being admitted to UC schools despite not always being as qualified as local students.  They do, however, pay $54,578 in annual tuition, compared to  $31,700 for California residents.

Thanks to massive cuts to public education to help balance the state budget over the years, the UC system finds itself seeking students who can pay more.

In addition to taking less Californian students, UC schools have increased their school fees and added hidden fees, such as a graduation fee.

Many Californian students now choose to go out of state to get an equal education instead of staying home. For example, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill costs $28,446 for out-of-state students.

California students can also go abroad for cheaper tuition and similar education. It costs $23,976 for out-of-state tuition at the London School of Economics and Political Science.  Even including two plane trips back home, the cost to attend a school halfway around the globe still totals less than $30,000.

As a result, more and more Californian students would rather go to a different state or country for a cheaper tuition.

If California’s tuition continues to skyrocket, more students will leave the state, and years of taxes will go to paying for another’s education.