So, you’re ready to start looking at colleges. This is an exciting step!
You probably have some questions about how out-of-state tuition differs from in-state tuition. Spoiler: College is often more expensive if you’re not a resident of the state.
But this doesn’t mean you can’t (or shouldn’t) consider attending school out of state. Even though you’ll generally spend more money on out-of-state college tuition, the exact cost for undergraduate students depends on what school you want to attend. Plus, many schools have special rules and programs that allow nonresident students to qualify for in-state tuition (insert eyeball emoji here).
Strap in and get ready. We’re about to dive into in-state versus out-of-state tuition costs at public institutions. Our purpose isn’t to scare you with all the numbers but to help you see why nonresident tuition costs more than that for in-state residents. We’ll also fill you in on a few situations where you can qualify for in-state tuition rates as a nonresident.
What classifies you for in-state tuition?
In-state tuition is pretty self-explanatory. You’ll spend less money to go to school full time and get a bachelor’s degree in the state where you live.
For example, if you live in Oklahoma, you’ll spend less to attend the University of Oklahoma or Oklahoma State University. Or if your family lives in Wisconsin, you’ll spend less money to go to the University of Wisconsin than somewhere out of state.
But what if you’ve only lived in the state for the past two or three years? Let’s say you spent most of your life in Vermont, but your family moved to North Dakota during your senior year. How long do you have to live in a different state before you qualify for in-state tuition?
Residency requirements vary from state to state, but many public schools offer in-state tuition for students who have lived in the state for at least one year before graduation. These rules normally require at least one parent to also have residency in the state.
What classifies you for out-of-state tuition?
Let’s say you live in Oklahoma, but you’ve heard Texas is warmer in the wintertime (it’s true). You decide you want to attend the University of Texas (UT) at Austin. UT would probably love to have you, but you’ll have to spend a little more because your parents don’t share their income with the Texas state government.
How much more money? That’s a good question. UT’s in-state tuition and fees average around $11,100 per semester, but you’ll spend over $28,000 more per semester if you’re coming from out of state. This also doesn’t include books, room, and board.
These figures are actually pretty close to the nationwide average. The average cost for in-state tuition at a public four-year school is just under $11,000 per year. On the other hand, out-of-state tuition costs around $28,000 per year.
These numbers might differ depending on which state you’re looking at, but you should definitely expect out-of-state tuition to be much higher than in-state prices.
In-state vs. out-of-state tuition costs
Why does out-of-state tuition cost so much more? Do state schools just like local students better?
Not necessarily. It’s all about money, and not in a bad way. Schools must operate in a certain way to keep the lights on and provide students with a solid higher education experience. Especially students who live in their state.
Let’s go back to the example above. If your family lives in Oklahoma, your parents pay Oklahoma state taxes (and so do you if you have a job). These tax dollars help pay for the state’s public universities.
Keep in mind that in-state tuition only applies to public colleges that get money from the government. Private universities don’t have in-state and out-of-state tuition rates because their funding primarily comes from tuition and endowments (or donations).
In-state vs. out-of-state tuition cost
So, let’s think about our hypothetical high school student in Oklahoma who can’t stop thinking about heading south and being a Longhorn at the University of Texas.
If the student lived in Texas, they’d pay around $11,100 per year in tuition and fees to attend the University of Texas. But since they live north of the Red River and their parents don’t pay Texas sales and motor vehicle taxes, their average tuition rate will be around $40,000. This doesn’t include books, room, or board.
OK, that’s a massive difference. If you live outside the Lone Star State, you’ll pay about three times as much to attend a Texas school. And this price hike isn’t just for students from Oklahoma (although I heard there’s a little rivalry between Texas and Oklahoma). It also applies to students from New England, Wyoming, Kansas, and across the nation.
Just to be clear, there’s no specific issue with UT-Austin or the state of Texas. The cost of college is pretty representative of what you’d see at any school outside your home state.
Here are a few more examples to help you see how in-state tuition and out-of-state tuition can be so different:
- University of California – Los Angeles (UCLA). Students from the Golden State will spend around $13,000 per year to attend UCLA. If you’re coming from out of state, the cost jumps to $43,000.
- University of Alabama. Headed to Tuscaloosa for college? In-state students spend $11,600 per year, but out-of-state students will pay over $31,000 per year.
- University of Michigan. Michigan’s out-of-state tuition ($52,266) costs around $35,000 more than in-state tuition ($15,948).
- University of Florida. Florida’s out-of-state tuition is pretty affordable by comparison ($28,659) but is still quite a bit higher than in-state costs ($6,381).
The difference is steep. There’s no way around it. However, if you’re committed to going to school out of state, there’s still hope. The next section will discuss some ways you can go to your dream school and avoid paying out-of-state tuition even if you’re not a long-term or permanent resident in the state.
How to avoid out-of-state tuition costs
You may not be able to pack up your entire family and move to the state where your dream school is located, but you may still qualify for in-state tuition at an out-of-state school.
Here are a few scenarios where you might find some flexibility on the sticker price:
- Residency requirements. Remember that each school has different requirements for residency status. Don’t assume you won’t qualify because you just moved to the state or haven’t lived there very long. These rules vary from state to state, with some states only requiring students to be in-state for one year before graduation to get financial aid.
- Tuition reciprocity. Some states have reciprocal agreements or exchange programs with nearby states that let students attend out-of-state universities for discounted prices. Your costs might be slightly higher than in-state prices even with a reciprocity program, but definitely not as much as full out-of-state tuition.
- Special circumstances. Some schools will grant exceptions for students who are children of alumni or whose parents are military members or first responders. If you’re considering going to a specific out-of-state school, it’s best to contact their admissions office to ask if they have any special arrangements.
- Academic achievements. Good test scores or a high GPA can get you scholarships and may qualify you for in-state tuition in some circumstances. Schools want to attract good students, and many don’t want out-of-state tuition to be an obstacle.
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By now, you know that out-of-state tuition is generally way more expensive than in-state tuition. However, you shouldn’t assume you don’t qualify for in-state tuition just because you don’t live in the same state as your dream school.
Do your homework to learn what exceptions or special reciprocity agreements may exist. It could save you thousands — or tens of thousands — of dollars in the long run.
If you’re looking for more help finding your dream school, check out College Rover’s online database of colleges and universities. Our powerful search tool will be your new best friend as you look at potential schools.
We help simplify the process of choosing a school (and we may even provide a little extra fun along the way).
