Report Highlights. In the United States, public 4-year undergraduate degrees have an average out-of-state tuition of $28,297 vs. $9,750 for the same degree in-state.
- Vermont is the state with the highest average in-state tuition among four-year institutions at $17,600.
- Florida is the state with the lowest average in-state tuition among four year institutions at $4,540.
- Vermont has the highest average out-of-state tuition among four-year institutions at $41,900.
- South Dakota has the lowest average out-of-state tuition among four-year institutions at $12,987.
- Public 2-year undergraduate degrees have an average out-of-state tuition of $8,565 vs. $3,598 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 ($41,900 in 2022-23) for four-year public institutions.
- In comparison, Vermont’s in-state rate was $17,683, equivalent to 42.2% of out-of-state tuition.
- South Dakota has the lowest average out-of-state tuition ($12,987) among public four-year institutions.
- In comparison, the District of Columbia’s in-state rate was $6,152, equivalent to 69.9% of out-of-state tuition.
State | Out-of-State Tuition | In-State Tuition |
---|---|---|
Alabama | $28,315 | $11,081 |
Alaska | $24,410 | $8,291 |
Arizona | $28,506 | $11,768 |
Arkansas | $23,091 | $8,879 |
California | $32,967 | $8,637 |
Colorado | $32,476 | $9,798 |
Connecticut | $37,907 | $15,763 |
Delaware | $33,812 | $11,922 |
District of Columbia | $13,004 | $6,152 |
Florida | $17,831 | $4,540 |
Georgia | $24,331 | $7,075 |
Hawaii | $32,769 | $10,484 |
Idaho | $25,404 | $7,640 |
Illinois | $30,027 | $14,921 |
Indiana | $30,448 | $9,886 |
Iowa | $29,072 | $10,121 |
Kansas | $23,713 | $9,274 |
Kentucky | $26,640 | $11,299 |
Louisiana | $23,573 | $9,843 |
Maine | $30,244 | $10,813 |
Maryland | $26,721 | $10,041 |
Massachusetts | $34,245 | $14,345 |
Michigan | $41,324 | $14,718 |
Minnesota | $26,719 | $12,873 |
Mississippi | $21,531 | $9,120 |
Missouri | $23,932 | $9,926 |
Montana | $28,682 | $7,299 |
Nebraska | $21,539 | $8,862 |
Nevada | $24,443 | $6,723 |
New Hampshire | $33,850 | $17,019 |
New Jersey | $30,271 | $15,265 |
New Mexico | $21,842 | $7,526 |
New York | $20,637 | $8,575 |
North Carolina | $23,155 | $7,327 |
North Dakota | $14,687 | $9,728 |
Ohio | $27,441 | $10,922 |
Oklahoma | $22,928 | $8,519 |
Oregon | $35,960 | $12,424 |
Pennsylvania | $31,844 | $16,217 |
Rhode Island | $33,879 | $14,744 |
South Carolina | $33,346 | $12,604 |
South Dakota | $12,987 | $9,079 |
Tennessee | $24,920 | $10,437 |
Texas | $24,743 | $8,195 |
Utah | $23,108 | $7,215 |
Vermont | $41,900 | $17,600 |
Virginia | $37,730 | $14,825 |
Washington | $30,444 | $8,006 |
West Virginia | $23,521 | $8,715 |
Wisconsin | $29,256 | $8,974 |
Wyoming | $15,215 | $5,100 |
College Comparisons
Among the most expensive schools, the most consistent shared pattern is a higher rate of tuition for out-of-state students.
- College of William and Mary is the most expensive in-state public college with tuition at $26,019 in 2024-25.
- University of Virginia is the 2nd most expensive in-state public college with tuition at $23,118.
- Temple University is the 3rd most expensive in-state public college with tuition at $22,914.
- University of Michigan is the most expensive out-of-state public college with tuition at $63,081.
- University of Virginia is the 2nd most expensive out-of-state public college with tuition at $60,907.
- College of William and Mary is the 3rd most expensive out-of-state public college with tuition at $50,752.
- In 2023-24, the cost of attending Kenyon College, a private four-year university, was $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 2023-24 academic year, students in this region saved over $559.10 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 $35,700 to $139,800 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 $13,637 in tuition.
State | WUE (in thousands) |
---|---|
Alaska | $17,000 |
American Samoa | $684 |
Arizona | $19,300 |
California | $234,600 |
Colorado | $46,200 |
Federated States of Micronesia | $173 |
Guam | $1,300 |
Hawaii | $25,700 |
Idaho | $23,200 |
Montana | $9,200 |
Nevada | $23,400 |
New Mexico | $9,700 |
North Dakota | $2,400 |
Oregon | $35,800 |
Republic of the Marshall Islands | $87 |
Republic of Palau | $98 |
South Dakota | $3,700 |
The Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands | $1,300 |
Utah | $10,600 |
Washington | $88,300 |
Wyoming | $6,400 |
Midwest Student Exchange (MSEP)
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 of their tuition rates instead.
- The Midwest Student Exchange Program provides an annual savings of $29.8 million total for out-of-state students.
- Students save an average of $1,137 at a community college and $7,212 at a university in the program.
- Online courses are sometimes covered under this program – it varies by college and campus.
State | Savings (in thousands) |
---|---|
Illinois | $9,370 |
Indiana | $747 |
Kansas | $1,990 |
Michigan | $646 |
Minnesota | $2,880 |
Missouri | $3,620 |
Nebraska | $3,930 |
North Dakota | $253 |
Ohio | $3,830 |
Wisconsin | $2,550 |
New England Tuition Break
The New England Tuition Break, formerly known as the Regional Student Program, has been established since 1957. Tuition Break provides tuition savings to residents of the six (6) 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 Tuition Break.
- Tuition Break saves $64.8 million total annually for out-of-state students.
- There are 71 participating public institutions in Tuition Break.
- Certain majors and programs are not eligible under Tuition Break (high demand programs may not be eligible).
State | Savings (in thousands) |
---|---|
Connecticut | $11,411 |
Maine | $2,927 |
Massachusetts | $27,389 |
New Hampshire | $12,402 |
Rhode Island | $7,609 |
Vermont | $3,082 |
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 (i.e. based on the student’s GPA average in high school or their scores in the SAT or ACT). Award amounts vary; 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 Excellence Award for a GPA between 3.00 and 3.899; students with GPAs beyond 3.90 may qualify for the Distinction Award.
- 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 3.20.
- Mississippi State University offers a freshman non-resident academic scholarship based on students’ GPA and test scores.
- Kent State offers three (3) different merit-based scholarships for non-resident students.
- University of Vermont offers five (5) different types of scholarships for out-of-state resident students.
- Utah State University offers 10 non-resident freshman scholarship awards based on the campuses they go to.
- Michigan Technological University offers 16 different types of scholarships for non-resident students.
College | Scholarship | Information |
---|---|---|
University of Arkansas | Non-Resident Tuition Award Scholarship | Award between 50% and 90% of the in-state vs. out-of-state tuition difference based on GPA and home state |
Colorado State University | Green and Gold Scholarship for Non-residents | Awards between $2,500 and $12,500 annually |
Mississippi State University | Freshman Non-resident Academic Scholarship | Awards between $7,000 and $25,000 annually |
University of Arizona | Arizona Excellence Award Arizona Distinction Award |
Excellence offers $4,000 to $16,000. Distinction offers $20,000 |
University of Missouri | Mark Twain Scholarship | Level 1 is an award of $21,500 Level 2 is an award of $8,500 |
Kent State University | Merit based scholarships | Award amounts range from $1,000 to $13,000 annually. |
University of Vermont | Dean’s Merit Scholarship, Pathway Scholarship, Phi Theta Kappa Scholarship, Presidential Scholarship, Trustees Scholarship | Award amounts range from $2,000 to $25,000 annually. |
Utah State University | Presidential Award, Deans Award, Scholar Award, Merit Award, 100-mile Radius Award, WUE Award, Aggie Award, Trustee Award, and SE Waiver Award | Award amounts range from $5,500 to full tuition waiver ($47,000) |
Michigan Technological University | Leading Scholar Award, Summer Youth Scholars Award, Schmiedel Family Scholarship, FIRST Scholarship, S-STEM Husky PAWS Scholarship, Visual and Performing Arts Talent Award, J. Edgar McAllister Scholarship, CyberCorp Scholarship for Service, Michigan Tech National Merit Scholarship, National Scholars Program, National Transfer Scholarship, Alumni Legacy Award, Military Family Education Award, College of Business Dean’s Award, College Partners Pathway Award, and International Ambassador Scholarship | Award amounts vary from $1,000 to $20,000 annually. |
Sources
- National Center for Education Statistics, Digest of Education Statistics
- National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators
- Colorado Department of Higher Education, Reciprocity & Access Programs
- Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education
- Southern Regional Education Board,Academic Common Market
- New England Board of Higher Education (NEBHE): Tuition Break
- Midwestern Higher Education Compact, Midwest Student Exchange Program
- U.S. News Best Colleges
- Sallie Mae, How To Get In-State Tuition At An Out-Of-State School
- University of Arkansas, Academic Scholarship Office
- The University of Arizona, Scholarships & Financial Aid
- Mizzou Admissions, Freshman Scholarships
- Colorado State University, Scholarship for Entering Non-Resident Freshmen
- Mississippi State University, Office of Admissions and Scholarships
- Utah State University, Office of Admissions
- Michigan Tech, Student Financial Services Center
- University of Vermont, Scholarships
- Kent State University, University Office of Scholarships And Financial Aid
- The Best Schools, Is Out-of-State School Worth It?
- Grantford, Why Are Private Colleges Way More Expensive?