Let me first say thank you to Adbono and Francis7. Finally a baseball thread on a baseball message board. I think it is the same no matter the conference, including SEC and ACC. Several factors. Every D1 school at any level tries to win the recruiting battle for players in their state within their level. If there are multiple schools at your level, you are bound to go fight for the players that fit your level and maybe get lucky and win a kid above your level. Plus, as they say close the borders against the outside schools. Money is limited for everyone some just have a little more to play with in various ways whether it is lottery money, academic money, or other sources. The 11.7 is equal but that is all. The rest is the factors. Normally there is more money for in state kids than out of state kids. The in-state tuition is a factor with some exceptions that include The Academic Common Market and Regional Contract Program and border state trades. Money for recruiting. It is easier and cheaper for most colleges to recruit players within their borders. They can slip off on an off day or even a weekday game to go see a kid play plus the ability to see kids during the summer other than the big events.