Comfort or Opportunity? How are Cedar Falls seniors choosing where to go to college?

For many seniors, deciding where to go to college doesn’t mean choosing what state to go to—it means choosing whether to stay in Iowa or leave it behind.

For senior Araynah Ontiveros, leaving Iowa isn’t something she was ever afraid of. She decided to attend the Universidad Anáhuac Mayab in Mexico to study international business. Her decision was purely about expanding her worldview and immersing herself in new cultures. “Opportunity for sure,” she said. “If you always do what you’ve always done, you’ll always have what you’ve always had,” Ontiveros said. Pushing herself to leave now will make things easier for her in the future, letting her get out of her comfort zone.

Other seniors saw opportunities without even crossing state lines. Senior Jenna Waltz said she committed to Iowa State University due to its strong academic reputation and affordability. For her, leaving Cedar Falls while staying in Iowa shows growth. “Leaving is not about losing something; it’s about making space for something greater,” she said. While yes, cost mattered, she still chose what she felt would challenge her and prepare her the best for her future.

Still, comfort and familiarity are big influences. Several seniors said that staying close to home and in-state tuition are big reasons why they picked certain colleges. 

Senior Regan Oberhue, who plans on attending the University of Northern Iowa, showed her confidence in both her choice and her faith. “Trust in the Lord. He has great plans for you,” she said, referring to Jeremiah 29:11. For students like Oberhue, staying doesn’t mean settling or doing what’s easy. It means trusting the path right in front of them.

Still, not everyone’s decision is based on emotion or ambition. For some seniors, the choice comes down to practicality. Senior Arlo Wohlert also plans to attend the University of Northern Iowa, and his reason for it is simple. “Cost — it’s cheaper,” he said. Wohlert said staying close to home, in-state tuition and familiarity were big reasons for his decision. While others talked about their choices in terms of growth or expansion, Wohlet said he feels that his decision is the “smarter option.” With UNI recently upgrading its business department (Willson College of Business), he strongly believes that he can get a good education without needing to take heavy financial decisions. For him, staying isn’t about being scared of leaving; instead, it’s about making a financially responsible decision that he believes will set him up for success in the future.

Even those who are choosing local or specialized programs described their choice as a balance between belonging and ambition. Senior Kaitlyn Eckhoff chose PCI Academy in Ames. She made her decision after visiting, stating how welcome she felt on campus. Her mother advised her to “go to a school that makes you feel at home and not a school where you feel like you are at school.” For Eckhoff, that sense of belonging proved to her that she was making the right choice overall.

While yes, everyone’s reasons are different, one thing connects them all: their decision is never random. Whether they’re staying in Iowa or leaving it behind, seniors are thinking about comfort, cost, and opportunity. Being able to choose what they believe in will shape them into who they are becoming.

For Cedar Falls seniors, their decision to stay or leave isn’t simply about miles on a map. It’s about identity, independence, and who they believe they are becoming. Some will drive just minutes from home. Others will board planes that cross state or even country lines. But whether they choose comfort, cost, or opportunity, one thing is definitely clear. This class is not standing still. They are moving forward, in whatever direction feels right for them.

Because sometimes growing up doesn’t mean leaving home. But sometimes it does.