Audit: UC admitting more non-Californians with lower scores

WESTWOOD, LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- A new audit of the University of California finds the system has sharply increased admissions of out-of-state students, potentially shutting out more high school seniors from within the Golden State.

The UC system has boosted its out-of-state enrollment by 82 percent in the last four years, even when those admitted have lower academic performance, according to the report from State Auditor Elaine Howle.

"The university admitted nearly 16,000 nonresidents whose scores fell below the median scores for admitted residents," the report said.

Out-of-state students pay some three times what California students pay.

University of California President Janet Napolitano disputed some of the audit's findings, saying its conclusions are "supported neither by data nor by sound analysis."

UC's own report notes that 55 percent of its in-state students pay no tuition at all, after accounting for grants and scholarships.

The state auditor wants lawmakers to get involved by capping the percentage of non-resident students and basing the system's funding on how well it meets that cap.