There was a time when aspiring high-achieving, low-income students were sought after by admissions officers of state flagship universities because their inclusion fulfilled the mission of the institution, i.e., to provide a route enabling the industrious student to receive a superior education and become a successful professional. Those days are ending. Sadly, in many states the once glorious flagship university is now the repository of a majority out-of-state students, many of whom are dramatically less academically oriented (Table 1, page 3). This brief argues that social mobility is a declining priority for flagship universities in an increasing number of states. High-achieving, low-income students are tragically no longer able to look on their state's public flagship universities as engines to permit them to climb the ladder of socioeconomic class. Many flagships have become crass, moneymaking operations. The first section of this brief shows that even a dramatic increase in access at selective private colleges would affect a relatively small number of moderate- and low-income students. Therefore, policy debates about access should relinquish the focus on selective privates and focus more on public flagship state universities, which have the capacity to serve large numbers of such students. The second section shows that in many states higher education funding has declined while tuition price has increased, undermining access to public flagship universities for moderate- and low-income students. Section three shows that public universities have responded to cuts in state funding by increasing their out-of-state enrollment. Unfortunately, out-of-state students are often less qualified and lacking in serious academic interests, particularly at less prestigious flagship universities. The fourth section reviews ethnographic research by Elizabeth Armstrong and Laura Hamilton, which describe how the shift towards accepting more out-of-state students adversely affects the academic and social climate. The brief concludes with policy recommendations to reclaim the historic mission of social mobility through education.