Average In-State vs. Out-of-State Tuition

Report Highlights. In the United States, public 4-year undergraduate degrees have an average out-of-state tuition of $27,457 vs. $9,596 for the same degree in-state.

• Vermont is the state with the highest average in-state tuition among four-year institutions: $17,683.   
• Florida is the state with the lowest average in-state tuition among four year institutions: $4,613.  
• Vermont has the highest average out-of-state tuition among four-year institutions: $41,914. 
• The District of Columbia has the lowest average out-of-state tuition among four-year institutions: $13,004.
• Public 2-year undergraduate degrees have an average out-of-state tuition of $8,415 vs. $3,564 for the same degree in-state.

Understanding In-State vs. Out-of-State

These terms refer to the tuition rates charged by public colleges and universities for students who are residents of the state the institution is located in vs. the rates charged for students who are not residents. Tuition rates may also be listed as “resident” or “non-resident.” Even out-of-state online students may pay these rates, but some colleges with distance learning programs offer discounts.

• Most public institutions receive state tax revenue to subsidize their expenses, so a student (or their parents) who has paid taxes in that state receives a lower tuition rate.
• Students who are coming from out-of-state have not contributed to the operations of public institutions in the state with their taxes and are therefore assigned a higher rate.
• Private schools do not generally charge higher rates for out-of-state students.
• Vermont has the highest average out-of-state tuition for four-year public institutions, with out-of-state students paying $41,914 in 2021-22.
• In comparison, Vermont’s in-state rate was $17,683.
• The District of Columbia has the lowest average out-of-state tuition among public four-year institutions, coming in at $13,004 for nonresidents.
• In comparison, the District of Columbia’s in-state rate was $6,152.

College Comparisons

Among four-year public institutions, the top three with the highest in-state tuition rates in the 2023-24 academic year were College of William and Mary, University of Virginia, and University of Pittsburgh. Among four-year public institutions, the top three with the highest out-of-state tuition rates in the 2023-24 academic year were the University of Virginia, the University of Michigan, and the College of William and Mary. 

• College of William and Mary with tuition at $25,041 is the most expensive in-state public college. 
• University of Virginia with tuition at $22,323 is the 2nd most expensive in-state public college.
• University of Pittsburgh with tuition at $21,524 is the 3rd most expensive in-state public college.
• University of Virginia with tuition at $58,950 is the most expensive out-of-state public college. 
• University of Michigan with tuition at $57,273 is the 2nd most expensive out-of-state public college.
• College of William and Mary with tuition at $48,841 is the 3rd most expensive out-of-state public college.
• In 2023-24, the cost of attending Kenyon College, a private four-year university, is $69,330 for both in-state and out-of-state students.
• The most expensive in-state tuition rate in the United States among two-year institutions was at Landmark College, at $64,290 for tuition and fees in the 2023-24 academic year.

Regional Exchange/State Reciprocity Agreements

Many states are part of an exchange program where students living within their region can qualify for discounted tuition rates even if they are technically non-residents. Some states also have reciprocity agreements with a bordering state with fewer qualifications needed, such as the New Mexico-Colorado Tuition Reciprocity Agreement.

• Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE).
• Midwest Student Exchange (MSEP).
• New England Regional Student Program (RSP).
• Academic Common Market.
• The New Mexico-Colorado Tuition Reciprocity Agreement allows an equal number of students from each state to enroll in the other state at in-state tuition prices. 

Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE)

Founded in 1953, the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education (WICHE) incorporates the states in the western region of the United States.

• In the 2022-23 academic year, students in this region saved over $520 million in tuition costs.
• WICHE programs offer savings on out-of-state tuition at 167 universities, colleges, and healthcare programs.
• Under WICHE’s PSEP program, a student could save between $34,900 to $136,700 on tuition during their completion of a program, depending on their field of study.
• Under WICHE’s WRGP graduate program, students save an average of $14,703 in tuition.

Midwest Student Exchange (MSEP)

The Midwest Student Exchange Program is a multi-state tuition reciprocity program in which public institutions agree not to charge out-of-state students more than 150% of their in-state resident tuition rate. Private colleges offer 10% reduction off their tuition rates instead. 

• The Midwest Student Exchange Program saves $43.9 million total annually for out-of-state students.
• Students save an average of $1,457 at a community college and $8,053 at a university in the program.
• Online courses are sometimes covered under this program – it varies by college and campus.  

New England Regional Student Program (RSP)

The New England Regional Student Program has been established since 1957, it is also named the Tuition Break program. The New England RSP provides tuition savings to residents of the six New England states when they enroll in college within that region. The RSP program cannot be applied to private colleges. 

• Students save about $8,600 annually under the RSP program.  
• The RSP program saves $64.8 million total annually for out-of-state students.
• There are 71 participating public institutions. 
• Certain majors and programs are not eligible under the RSP – high demand programs may not be eligible. 

Academic Common Market 

The Southern Regional Education Board (SREB) maintains a tuition-savings program for college students in SREB states who want to pursue degrees in programs not offered in their home state. 15 states fully participate in the SREB Academic Common Market. 

• There are over 2,200 undergraduate and graduate programs offered in the Academic Common Market.   
• Distance learning programs are eligible under the Academic Common Market. 
• Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia all participate in the Academic Common Market program.  
• Florida and Texas only participate in the program at the graduate level. 

How to Receive In-State Tuition Rates

Most institutions have strict residency requirements to qualify a student for in-state tuition rates. However, there are some ways students may able to attend an out-of-state institution at in-state prices. 

• Some institutions offer a waiver or scholarship for exceptional GPA ACT/SAT scores. 
• Universities may have a reciprocity agreement for students whose parents or family members are employed in higher education at another university. 
• Spend a “gap” year as a resident full-time in the state where you intend to attend university, working, or undertaking an internship. Some institutions may offer discounted tuition rates during summer terms. 
• Pay out-of-state rates during the first year it takes to establish residency and pay the remaining four years at in-state rates and utilize scholarships meant specifically for non-residents. 
• If you have relatives who live in your state of choice, see if it is possible to stay with them during part of the year needed to establish residency.
• If one or both of your parents are in the military or state department, you may qualify for in-state tuition at most institutions nationwide. 
• Legacy scholarships are offered by some schools where a student is attending the same institution their parents attended. 

Out-of-State Scholarships 

Scholarships exist to offset the price of out-of-state tuition. Many of these scholarships are merit-based – based on the student’s GPA average in high school or their scores in the SAT or ACT. Award amounts are usually dependent on how well the student scored or how high their GPA was. A few scholarships are available for non-resident children of alumni.  

• The University of Arkansas offers the Non-Resident Tuition Award Scholarship for a minimum GPA of 3.0 for transfer students and 3.20 for freshmen.
• The University of Arizona offers the Recognition Award for a GPA between 2.75 and 3.49.
• The University of Arizona offers the Excellence Award for a GPA between 3.50 and 3.89.
• The University of Arizona offers the Distinction Award for a GPA beyond 3.90.
• At the University of Missouri, Level 1 and Level 2 of the Mark Twain Scholarship is for students depending on combined SAT or ACT scores and GPAs. 
• Colorado State University has a merit based scholarship starting from a GPA of 3.30. 
• Mississippi State University offers a freshman non-resident academic scholarship based on students’ GPA and test scores.
• Utah State University offers non-resident freshman scholarship awards based on the campuses they go to.
• Michigan Technological University offers 15 different types of scholarships for non-resident students. 
• University of Vermont offers 4 different types of scholarships for out-of-state resident students.
• Kent State offers 3 different merit-based scholarships for non-resident students.
• The Akron Advantage Award offers $3,000 annually for non-resident students.

Sources

1. National Center for Education Statistics (NCES): Table 330.20 – Average Undergraduate Tuition and Fees 
2. National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (NASFAA)
3. Colorado Department of Higher Education, Reciprocity & Access Programs
4. Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education (WICHE)
5. Southern Regional Education Board (SREB): Academic Common Market
6. New England Board of Higher Education (NEBHE): Tuition Break
7. Midwestern Higher Education Compact: Midwest Student Exchange Program
8. U.S. News Best Colleges
9. Sallie Mae Blog, How To Get In-State Tuition At An Out-Of-State School
10. University of Arkansas, Academic Scholarship Office
11. The University of Arizona, Scholarships & Financial Aid
12. Mizzou Admissions, Freshman Scholarships
13. Colorado State University, Scholarship for Entering Non-Resident Freshmen
14. Mississippi State University, Office of Admissions and Scholarships
15. Utah State University, Office of Admissions
16. Michigan Tech, Student Financial Services Center
17. University of Vermont, Scholarships
18. Kent State University, University Office of Scholarships And Financial Aid
19. University of Akron, Office of Student Financial Aid
20. The Best Schools, Is Out-of-State School Worth It?
21. Grantford, Why Are Private Colleges Way More Expensive?