Aug 18, 2014 03:48 PM EDT By Russell Westerholm, UniversityHerald Reporter

The University of California (UC) system is getting more out-of-state applicants than ever before and is apparently set to accept a record amount.

According to the Los Angeles Times, the UC system will see millions of dollars in tuition come from their influx of out-of-state students. Coming primarily from Texas, Washington, China and India, such attendants will pay $23,000 more than Calif. residents would.

Bridget Bruggeman, 18, chose UC - Los Angeles (UCLA) even though her family will pay about three times what they would have should she have chosen Indiana University. Bruggeman plans to major in international development studies and Spanish.

"Being from the Midwest, there is definitely an idea of California as a place where you can dream as big as you want to. That's something I was very drawn to," she told the Times. "It definitely would have been less expensive to go to I.U., but I don't think I would have been as happy."

UCLA has the highest rate of out-of-state students in the nine-school system with 30.1 percent, followed UC - Berkeley at 29.8 percent and UC -San Diego at 28.4 percent. The system expects to generate an extra $400 million in revenues, which will help subsidize an in-state tuition freeze and a reduction of state funds.

UC's leaders told the Times they have not had to turn away state-based applicants and the extra tuition from out-of-state students will help with financial aid for Calif. residents. Some out-of-state students who chose a UC school have said they feel regret for the huge financial commitment.

For others, the financial commitment makes sense at a prestigious public school like UCLA and UC - Berkeley, which cost less than some pricey private institutions. Vandan Kasar, 20, is a rising junior at UCLA who turned down the University of Washington. She told the Times she sometimes feels homesick and knows her education is putting a financial strain on her family since she receives no financial aid.

"I don't know if I am able to put a price tag on all the different experiences I've had here," the human biology and society major said. "Besides the academics, I'm gaining life skills that make it worthwhile in the long run."

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