So you found your dream school. It has the exact program you've been researching, and you know you'll absolutely love the student life and campus experience.
There's just one problem: The school isn't in your home state, and paying for out-of-state colleges (where tuition is often significantly higher than in-state prices) is the last thing in the world you want to do. You can always take out student loans, but that doesn't sound much better.
Here's some good news: Out-of-state tuition isn't always astronomical. In fact, some schools are known for having surprisingly affordable college tuition prices or additional financial aid for out-of-state students.
On this page, we'll tell you about 11 universities with the cheapest out-of-state tuition in the country. You'll also learn a little more about what each school looks like and what it's known for.
11 colleges with the cheapest out-of-state tuition
Here are 11 excellent schools offering surprisingly cheap out-of-state tuition rates, fantastic academic programs, and an excellent college experience. These schools are in no particular order, so don't consider this a rankings list.
Florida Polytechnic University
Florida Polytechnic University is a small school in Lakeland, Florida, with an enrollment of around 1,400 undergraduate students. The school's average out-of-state tuition cost is just over $21,000 per year for on-campus students.
Florida Poly is well-known for its public engineering program and is widely considered one of the best public institutions in the region. The campus sits about 40 miles east of Tampa and 45 miles southeast of Orlando.
Mississippi Valley State University
Travel to Itta Benna, Mississippi, and you'll find around 1,700 undergraduate students at Mississippi Valley State University (MVSU). Mississippi Valley State is an HBCU (Historically Black College or University) with an average out-of-state tuition cost of around $7,000. In fact, MVSU charges the same amount for in-state and out-of-state tuition to keep costs low for each student, regardless of where they are from.
Harris-Stowe State University
Harris-Stowe State University is an HBCU located in St. Louis, Missouri. The school does not have a graduate program, but it enrolls under 1,200 undergraduate students each year at an average annual out-of-state tuition cost of $10,500. HSSU students represent 23 countries, and 80% of classes have fewer than 20 students.
University of North Carolina, Pembroke
The University of North Carolina at Pembroke is quite a bit larger than the other schools mentioned so far. More than 6,000 students attend classes each year. The school charges about $7,500 for out-of-state tuition, but those who take advantage of NC Promise pay only $2,500 for out-of-state tuition in the fall and spring semesters.
Oklahoma Panhandle State University
Oklahoma Panhandle State University (OPSU) in Goodwell, Oklahoma, is home to around 1,300 undergraduate students. Out-of-state students enjoy a low average tuition cost of around $7,500 per year. OPSU is also the state's only four-year Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI).
Alcorn State University
Alcorn State University is our third Mississippi school and our third HBCU on this list. It is the oldest black land-grant institution in the country and the second-oldest institute of higher education in Mississippi. More than 2,500 students attend Alcorn State each year, and out-of-state students pay the same tuition cost ($8,176) as in-state students.
West Texas A&M University
Around 7,000 students attend West Texas A&M University in Canyon, Texas, each year. The school's out-of-state tuition costs average about $11,000 annually, only around $2,000 more than in-state prices. West Texas A&M also offers to beat the net cost of any other university in the country through a unique, competitive program.
Delta State University
Our last school is Delta State University, another Mississippi school in the town of Cleveland. Delta State enrolls about 2,000 students each year with a 100% admission rate. In-state and out-of-state students pay the same average tuition of just over $8,000 annually. Delta State will celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2025 and has come a long way since the first graduating class of 13 students.
University of Wisconsin-La Crosse
Located in La Crosse, Wisconsin, the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse is a public school that enrolls around 9,400 undergraduate students. Out-of-state tuition and fees are just under $18,000, while in-state students pay about $9,000 annually. UW-La Crosse is known for its strong programs in the liberal arts and sciences and is part of the University of Wisconsin System, offering a comprehensive education in a vibrant college town near the Mississippi River.
Grambling State University
Grambling State University, located in Grambling, Louisiana, is a public institution with a long history as an HBCU. The school serves just under 4,500 undergraduate students, including many out-of-state residents who pay tuition of about $16,500 per year. In-state students benefit from a reduced cost of under $8,000. Known for its rich cultural heritage and academic excellence, Grambling offers a unique college experience in a close-knit community setting.
Eastern New Mexico University
Eastern New Mexico University in Portales, New Mexico, is a public institution that prides itself on offering an affordable cost of attendance for both in-state and out-of-state students. With an enrollment of approximately 3,700 undergraduates, ENMU charges in-state students $6,648 annually, while out-of-state students pay $8,688. The university offers affordability that appeals to students from across the country.
How does out-of-state tuition work?
Whether you live in Kansas, Arizona, California, Michigan, or Minnesota, the rules regarding out-of-state tuition are the same. They don't change if you live in Wyoming, Alabama, Alaska, Idaho, or Illinois.
There are two main types of colleges and universities: public universities, which receive government funding, and private schools, which generate income primarily from donations and tuition. Since funding for public colleges primarily comes from tax dollars, there's an extra incentive to offer affordable college education for in-state students.
For example, if you live in Mississippi, your parents pay Mississippi state taxes. This helps keep the lights on at Mississippi Valley State or the University of Southern Mississippi, which is why in-state tuition is normally much cheaper.
On the other hand, if your family lives in Arkansas, your parents' tax dollars go to schools in Arkansas. If you want to attend school in another state (whether that's Mississippi or somewhere like Montana, Nebraska, or New York), you'll have to pay out-of-state tuition costs to make up the difference.
We should mention that out-of-state students can pay in-state college costs in a few unique situations. For instance, some scenarios allow students in one state to attend school in another and still only pay in-state costs. Isn't that cool? In the next section, we'll break down a few of the most common scenarios.
Can you get around paying out-of-state tuition?
Here are some situations where you can avoid paying out-of-state costs:
- Establish residency. Most schools allow you to establish in-state residency after living in the state for one year. For instance, perhaps you can take a gap year in North Dakota so you can attend Minot State University and pay in-state costs after establishing residency.
- Start at a community college. Some students will start at an area community college for a year to establish residency before transferring to their preferred four-year school and finishing their bachelor's degree.
- Look into reciprocal agreements. Some four-year colleges and liberal arts schools have an exchange rate set up to offer in-state tuition from students in nearby or neighboring states. A good example would be Pennsylvania, which offers a reciprocal deal for students in New Jersey, or students in Vermont paying in-state costs in New Hampshire.
- Research legacy scholarships. Students interested in attending a parent's alma mater may qualify for in-state tuition even if they don't currently live in the state.
- Get a good scholarship. One of the best ways to get around out-of-state tuition is to make good grades (or earn a high test score). These can quickly lead to large scholarships that help make school more affordable. You might also find scholarships based on your high school extracurriculars.
- Leverage your parent's job. Many four-year colleges offer tuition discounts to children of veterans, first responders, and teachers. These scholarships apply regardless of the degree program. For example, you don't have to enroll in a degree program to become a teacher or first responder to qualify.
Each school's programs and rules will vary. It's best to contact a school's admissions office if you're interested in learning more about special programs or other offerings.
Use College Rover to find the best school for you
Many students feel discouraged when researching on-campus tuition costs for out-of-state students. By now, you recognize that many schools offer cheaper out-of-state tuition and can open additional doors for you to consider higher education. You also know about a few programs and opportunities for out-of-state students to pay in-state costs. Hopefully, this information helps you as you continue to research different colleges.
Would you like some extra assistance as you think about your options? College Rover can help you research schools and programs, with a massive online database containing tons of information about hundreds of schools throughout the country. You can even create a rankings list to share with friends and family who can help you make your decision.
College Rover gets the majority of its data directly from the U.S. Department of Education (DOE). The DOE publishing schedule "lags" the most current data which some colleges post on their official websites. This may cause there to be a difference in the data you see on College Rover and an individual college website. College Rover's website is updated as the DOE data becomes available and is configured for the College Rover website.
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