(The Cheapest Out-of-State Colleges List has been updated with information available from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System in January 2021) Back when I was a freshman attending a rather large state university in Austin, Texas, I ran into quite a few students (relatively speaking) from the state of New York. They told me that they were attending college in Texas because our out-of-state tuition was cheaper than their in-state tuition. I only saw them that one year because the following year, the legislature raised out-of-state tuition and Texas was no longer as appealing to New Yorkers as it once was.
That sort of situation isn’t as common today as it once was but it still happens. Based strictly on an average of all the states’ public universities total cost of attendance (not weighted), students who are residents in five states (New Jersey, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, and Virginia) could find it cheaper to attend public universities in South Dakota, North Dakota, Minnesota, Mississippi or Oklahoma. (I’m using the total cost of attendance because let’s face it, students need to spend money on living expenses as well.) Of course, that’s assuming the students don’t qualify for any need based aid at their state university. And any cost savings would probably be lost in travel costs and the like making the entire proposition a wash in the end.
Cheap isn’t What it Used to Be
However, out-of-state tuition is a major concern of many foreign students who don’t qualify for in-state tuition in any state. The average total cost of attendance for out-of-state residents at public colleges is $36,199 for 2019-20, up from $35,534 in 2018. The number of public universities where the out-of-state cost is over $40,000 has increased from 162 to 183. Among those, 51 charge more than $50,000 and 13 of those, in California, Virginia, Vermont, and Michigan, are over $60,000.
Given that there are now 76 state colleges that have a total cost of attendance over $30,000 for in-state students, I’ve decided to increase my cut-off for the cheapest out-of-state colleges to $33,000. There are 166 public universities with out-of-state total costs below this level. A total of 47 have prices under $26,000 for non-residents.
States with the Most Public Colleges with the Cheapest Cost of Attendance
Texas and Wisconsin had the most colleges with a total cost of attendance of $33,000 or less with 11 schools each. Minnesota and Oklahoma followed with 10 each and Missouri and Georgia had 9 schools. A total of 17 states don’t have any schools that make the list of cheapest out-of-state colleges. Another 4 have only one school on the list.
Of schools with a total cost of attendance (out-of-state tuition and living expenses) less than $33,000, only 39 qualified as 50-50 schools. These are schools that accept at least 50% of students and have at least a 50% graduation rate. Both Wisconsin and Minnesota have 9 each. Five states follow with only three each. A total of 85 of the colleges have at least a 40% four-year graduation rate.
Other Cheapest Out-of-state Colleges Characteristics
Size by Full-time Undergraduates
- 13 have more than 10,000
- 46 are in the Goldilocks‘ ranges of 5,000 to 10,000
- 107 below 5,000
As in the case for most lists, the number of smaller colleges out-number the larger ones because there are just a lot more smaller colleges period. Of those under 5,000, 61 have 2,500 or fewer full-time undergraduates. The incredible number of small colleges overall represents the greatest diversity in academic, social, and financial opportunities.
Testing Requirements
- 21 Don’t list any
- 6 Considered but not required
- 7 Recommended
Going into the COVID19 era, an increasing number of schools were going test optional. The state of California dropping the ACT/SAT from its public university admissions requirements was already making big waves. At this point, the NCAA, yes the NCAA, has waived the requirements for scholarship sports. So what will happen when classes resume in person without masks? Who knows? More than likely, students will have at the very least alternative test options at most schools.
Athletics
- 20 NAIA
- 11 NCAA FBS
- 28 NCAA FCS
- 6 NCAA D1
- 78 NCAA D2
- 17 NCAA D3
I know, all my diversity talk about small schools doesn’t really apply to Big Time College athletics. The fact that the NCAA Division 2 is the largest conference makes sense since we’re talking about schools with the lowest out-of-state costs. The fact is that schools can and do charge students for having popular sports teams. It’s basic supply and demand.
Application Fees
- 26 $50 Plus
- 64 $30-$45
- 44 $15-$25
- 32 $0
While the number of schools charging $50 or more for application fees has stayed the same among colleges with the cheapest out-of-state tuition, the costs of applying are creeping up for these schools. Membership in the second most expensive category has increase from 57 to 64. And the $10-$25 category now has a floor of $15.
How to Avoid Paying Out-of-State Tuition
There are other ways to lower the cost of attending a public university out-of-state. If students live in one of the four regional tuition discount programs, they may be eligible for lower tuition. These programs allow students from member states to pay lower tuition rates. However, there are often limitations such as participating colleges and allowed majors. Students who live along state lines should check for any local tuition exchange programs.
Cheapest Out-of-State Colleges
(Total Cost of Attendance of $33,000 or Less)
| Name | State | Full-time Under-grads | Total price for in-state students 2019-20 |
Total price for out-of-state students 2019-2020 |
| Alabama A & M University | AL | 4,957 | $23,954 | $32,564 |
| Alabama State University | AL | 3,450 | $22,110 | $30,438 |
| Auburn University at Montgomery | AL | 3,483 | $20,650 | $30,322 |
| Jacksonville State University | AL | 5,967 | $21,831 | $31,551 |
| Troy University | AL | 8,707 | $21,778 | $29,578 |
| University of North Alabama | AL | 4,901 | $22,750 | $32,350 |
| University of South Alabama | AL | 8,065 | $22,412 | $30,308 |
| University of West Alabama | AL | 1,881 | $23,205 | $32,305 |
| Arkansas State University-Main Campus | AR | 6,428 | $24,388 | $31,348 |
| Arkansas Tech University | AR | 6,609 | $19,606 | $25,174 |
| Henderson State University | AR | 2,710 | $25,100 | $26,810 |
| Southern Arkansas University Main Campus | AR | 3,012 | $23,750 | $28,250 |
| University of Arkansas at Monticello | AR | 1,792 | $19,993 | $25,843 |
| University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff | AR | 2,168 | $21,264 | $27,924 |
| University of Arkansas-Fort Smith | AR | 3,987 | $20,879 | $28,151 |
| University of Central Arkansas | AR | 7,673 | $23,903 | $30,713 |
| Florida Polytechnic University | FL | 1,133 | $21,611 | $21,611 |
| Albany State University | GA | 4,102 | $19,634 | $30,356 |
| Clayton State University | GA | 3,821 | $21,290 | $32,012 |
| Dalton State College | GA | 3,028 | $14,948 | $21,854 |
| Fort Valley State University | GA | 2,064 | $20,644 | $31,366 |
| Georgia Southwestern State University | GA | 1,649 | $19,928 | $30,650 |
| Middle Georgia State University | GA | 4,906 | $16,339 | $23,686 |
| Savannah State University | GA | 2,960 | $17,255 | $27,716 |
| University of North Georgia | GA | 13,135 | $20,854 | $29,886 |
| Valdosta State University | GA | 6,786 | $20,745 | $31,800 |
| Lewis-Clark State College | ID | 2,174 | $18,512 | $31,508 |
| Eastern Illinois University | IL | 3,987 | $24,653 | $26,933 |
| Governors State University | IL | 1,924 | $23,251 | $30,763 |
| Northern Illinois University | IL | 10,554 | $28,980 | $28,980 |
| Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville | IL | 8,632 | $25,921 | $25,921 |
| Western Illinois University | IL | 5,124 | $26,548 | $26,548 |
| Indiana University-South Bend | IN | 3,459 | $20,277 | $32,728 |
| Purdue University Northwest | IN | 5,555 | $23,211 | $29,894 |
| Fort Hays State University | KS | 5,776 | $18,736 | $28,816 |
| Pittsburg State University | KS | 4,663 | $20,252 | $31,596 |
| Kentucky State University | KY | 1,157 | $17,078 | $20,928 |
| Morehead State University | KY | 5,375 | $22,832 | $27,418 |
| Louisiana State University-Alexandria | LA | 1,893 | $19,171 | $26,526 |
| Louisiana Tech University | LA | 8,128 | $22,341 | $31,254 |
| McNeese State University | LA | 5,397 | $22,256 | $30,294 |
| Nicholls State University | LA | 4,961 | $23,538 | $24,631 |
| Southern University and A & M College | LA | 4,869 | $23,592 | $30,942 |
| Southern University at New Orleans | LA | 1,383 | $21,739 | $30,640 |
| University of New Orleans | LA | 4,900 | $23,816 | $28,652 |
| University of Maine at Augusta | ME | 1,396 | $20,968 | $31,138 |
| University of Maine at Fort Kent | ME | 556 | $20,245 | $24,535 |
| University of Maine at Presque Isle | ME | 621 | $20,226 | $24,516 |
| Coppin State University | MD | 1,811 | $23,805 | $30,202 |
| Fitchburg State University | MA | 3,154 | $25,160 | $31,240 |
| Westfield State University | MA | 4,258 | $26,044 | $32,124 |
| Worcester State University | MA | 4,052 | $25,589 | $31,669 |
| Eastern Michigan University | MI | 10,559 | $27,566 | $27,566 |
| Ferris State University | MI | 7,829 | $23,651 | $23,651 |
| Grand Valley State University | MI | 18,790 | $25,040 | $30,476 |
| Lake Superior State University | MI | 1,548 | $25,535 | $25,535 |
| Northern Michigan University | MI | 6,208 | $24,805 | $30,301 |
| Western Michigan University | MI | 14,493 | $27,071 | $30,095 |
| Bemidji State University | MN | 3,053 | $21,490 | $21,490 |
| Minnesota State University Moorhead | MN | 3,785 | $23,000 | $30,632 |
| Minnesota State University-Mankato | MN | 10,367 | $21,278 | $29,570 |
| Saint Cloud State University | MN | 6,921 | $21,356 | $29,648 |
| Southwest Minnesota State University | MN | 1,659 | $21,282 | $21,282 |
| University of Minnesota-Crookston | MN | 1,190 | $24,242 | $24,242 |
| University of Minnesota-Duluth | MN | 8,567 | $25,574 | $30,774 |
| University of Minnesota-Morris | MN | 1,364 | $24,680 | $26,734 |
| University of Minnesota-Rochester | MN | 538 | $26,504 | $26,504 |
| Winona State University | MN | 6,141 | $22,304 | $28,404 |
| Alcorn State University | MS | 2,731 | $24,266 | $24,266 |
| Delta State University | MS | 1,990 | $20,879 | $20,879 |
| Jackson State University | MS | 4,122 | $24,780 | $25,780 |
| Mississippi University for Women | MS | 2,023 | $20,888 | $20,888 |
| Mississippi Valley State University | MS | 1,411 | $20,315 | $20,315 |
| University of Southern Mississippi | MS | 9,623 | $24,669 | $26,669 |
| Harris-Stowe State University | MO | 1,369 | $21,674 | $26,306 |
| Lincoln University | MO | 1,603 | $20,244 | $27,232 |
| Missouri Southern State University | MO | 3,833 | $18,105 | $24,908 |
| Missouri State University-Springfield | MO | 14,059 | $21,859 | $30,169 |
| Missouri Western State University | MO | 3,381 | $21,015 | $26,925 |
| Northwest Missouri State University | MO | 4,968 | $20,235 | $26,017 |
| Southeast Missouri State University | MO | 7,143 | $22,406 | $28,436 |
| Truman State University | MO | 4,248 | $21,932 | $29,126 |
| University of Central Missouri | MO | 6,678 | $20,631 | $27,377 |
| Montana State University Billings | MT | 2,217 | $19,543 | $32,867 |
| Montana State University-Northern | MT | 797 | $17,025 | $29,735 |
| The University of Montana-Western | MT | 1,127 | $17,699 | $29,161 |
| Chadron State College | NE | 1,442 | $22,446 | $22,476 |
| Peru State College | NE | 1,103 | $20,936 | $20,936 |
| University of Nebraska at Kearney | NE | 3,809 | $23,652 | $29,754 |
| Wayne State College | NE | 2,644 | $19,752 | $25,212 |
| Eastern New Mexico University-Main Campus | NM | 2,411 | $19,198 | $21,196 |
| New Mexico Highlands University | NM | 1,190 | $19,556 | $23,828 |
| Western New Mexico University | NM | 1,107 | $22,762 | $29,995 |
| CUNY Hunter College | NY | 13,012 | $24,158 | $32,108 |
| SUNY College of Technology at Canton | NY | 2,772 | $25,284 | $29,214 |
| United States Merchant Marine Academy | NY | 1,007 | $5,050 | $5,050 |
| Elizabeth City State University | NC | 1,523 | $13,496 | $17,496 |
| Fayetteville State University | NC | 4,064 | $17,521 | $29,129 |
| North Carolina A & T State University | NC | 10,045 | $18,487 | $31,997 |
| University of North Carolina at Pembroke | NC | 5,082 | $17,160 | $21,160 |
| Western Carolina University | NC | 8,899 | $18,740 | $22,740 |
| Winston-Salem State University | NC | 4,051 | $20,512 | $30,759 |
| Dickinson State University | ND | 925 | $19,924 | $23,184 |
| Mayville State University | ND | 594 | $19,164 | $22,061 |
| Minot State University | ND | 1,928 | $19,386 | $19,386 |
| North Dakota State University-Main Campus | ND | 9,640 | $23,032 | $27,170 |
| University of North Dakota | ND | 7,622 | $23,604 | $29,763 |
| Valley City State University | ND | 899 | $19,053 | $23,466 |
| Central State University | OH | 1,911 | $19,906 | $21,906 |
| Cleveland State University | OH | 9,136 | $27,977 | $32,522 |
| Shawnee State University | OH | 2,703 | $21,139 | $27,063 |
| Wright State University-Lake Campus | OH | 873 | $21,668 | $31,086 |
| Youngstown State University | OH | 8,750 | $23,563 | $23,923 |
| Cameron University | OK | 2,557 | $16,162 | $25,582 |
| East Central University | OK | 2,474 | $18,534 | $27,894 |
| Langston University | OK | 1,864 | $20,447 | $27,866 |
| Northeastern State University | OK | 4,339 | $18,537 | $26,937 |
| Northwestern Oklahoma State University | OK | 1,378 | $18,818 | $25,936 |
| Oklahoma Panhandle State University | OK | 956 | $16,275 | $17,019 |
| Rogers State University | OK | 2,271 | $22,594 | $30,934 |
| Southeastern Oklahoma State University | OK | 2,376 | $17,708 | $26,348 |
| Southwestern Oklahoma State University | OK | 3,340 | $21,801 | $28,701 |
| University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma | OK | 728 | $19,200 | $30,060 |
| California University of Pennsylvania | PA | 3,982 | $27,218 | $31,836 |
| Edinboro University of Pennsylvania | PA | 2,991 | $24,924 | $29,352 |
| Kutztown University of Pennsylvania | PA | 6,480 | $28,414 | $32,522 |
| Lincoln University | PA | 1,897 | $26,008 | $32,210 |
| Mansfield University of Pennsylvania | PA | 1,487 | $25,500 | $28,066 |
| Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania | PA | 6,994 | $24,981 | $29,089 |
| Black Hills State University | SD | 1,953 | $21,851 | $24,997 |
| Dakota State University | SD | 1,494 | $22,574 | $25,644 |
| Northern State University | SD | 1,263 | $23,075 | $26,146 |
| South Dakota School of Mines and Technology | SD | 1,872 | $25,980 | $30,290 |
| South Dakota State University | SD | 7,953 | $22,313 | $25,788 |
| University of South Dakota | SD | 4,934 | $23,399 | $26,874 |
| The University of Tennessee-Martin | TN | 4,734 | $21,714 | $27,754 |
| University of Memphis | TN | 11,991 | $26,386 | $30,226 |
| Angelo State University | TX | 5,478 | $21,247 | $31,375 |
| Midwestern State University | TX | 4,076 | $21,911 | $23,861 |
| Stephen F Austin State University | TX | 9,195 | $22,732 | $32,860 |
| Tarleton State University | TX | 8,172 | $22,730 | $32,500 |
| Texas A & M International University | TX | 5,559 | $18,994 | $30,312 |
| Texas Woman’s University | TX | 6,995 | $21,032 | $31,161 |
| The University of Texas at San Antonio | TX | 22,337 | $20,010 | $32,011 |
| The University of Texas of the Permian Basin | TX | 1,869 | $21,142 | $21,982 |
| The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley | TX | 19,972 | $20,946 | $31,074 |
| University of Houston-Victoria | TX | 1,751 | $19,846 | $29,974 |
| West Texas A & M University | TX | 5,590 | $21,485 | $22,891 |
| Weber State University | UT | 11,826 | $21,057 | $31,040 |
| Concord University | WV | 1,429 | $22,191 | $31,843 |
| Fairmont State University | WV | 2,957 | $20,468 | $29,544 |
| Glenville State College | WV | 1,008 | $23,388 | $24,898 |
| Shepherd University | WV | 2,368 | $22,409 | $32,849 |
| West Liberty University | WV | 1,834 | $23,284 | $31,224 |
| University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire | WI | 9,744 | $20,822 | $29,097 |
| University of Wisconsin-Green Bay | WI | 4,938 | $19,459 | $27,677 |
| University of Wisconsin-La Crosse | WI | 9,088 | $17,684 | $26,503 |
| University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh | WI | 8,560 | $19,616 | $27,189 |
| University of Wisconsin-Parkside | WI | 3,125 | $19,725 | $27,995 |
| University of Wisconsin-Platteville | WI | 6,507 | $19,277 | $27,397 |
| University of Wisconsin-River Falls | WI | 5,029 | $18,333 | $25,906 |
| University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point | WI | 6,662 | $19,282 | $27,992 |
| University of Wisconsin-Stout | WI | 5,993 | $20,031 | $27,998 |
| University of Wisconsin-Superior | WI | 1,720 | $19,810 | $27,383 |
| University of Wisconsin-Whitewater | WI | 9,591 | $19,115 | $27,836 |
| University of Wyoming | WY | 8,336 | $20,258 | $32,828 |
Thank you for sharing this, Michelle. Although these may be inexpensive out of state school choices, the quality of these schools vary. As you indicated, it is likely that there is a close-by, high quality, small, liberal arts school whose “net tuition” (published tuition minus average scholarship given) is competitive or even lower than paying out-of-state tuition at a public university.
For example, Missouri Southern in Joplin, MO is on the spreadsheet. About 110 miles away, in Point Lookout, MO, is College of the Ozarks. Almost all of the ranking systems rank College of the Ozarks significantly higher than Missouri Southern. Yet the net tuition for College of the Ozarks is $11,212 while net tuition for out-of-state students at Missouri Southern is $13,546 according to http://www.collegefactual.com. Clearly, College of the Ozarks is the better value between the two schools for non-Missourian students.
Hi Chuck,
I completely agree. In general, I think this list is valuable for those who don’t meet the financial aid deadline for private schools and therefore aren’t likely to receive significant financial aid to reduce the cost. Then there are cases such as international students who have a harder time qualifying for financial aid. And apparently, there are some people who will just insist on attending an out of state college no matter the circumstances.
Just an FYI regarding Michigan’s Lake Superior State University. As of this school year, they only charge one tuition rate regardless of residency.
Thanks for posting! The most current data will always be from the schools themselves so be sure to check.