Cheapest Out-of-State Colleges in 34 States

pocket with money representing saving at cheapest out-of-state colleges(The Cheapest Out-of-State Colleges List has been updated for the latest data available in September of 2022.) 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.

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That sort of situation isn’t as common today as it once was but it still happens. There are 22 public schools that have a total cost of attendance over $35,000, two are over $40,000. I suppose we should be grateful since this isn’t a change from the previous year’s data. Nonetheless, some students might consider lower cost out-of-state universities just to expand their list of affordable options.

Cheap Tuition isn’t What it Used to Be

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 $37,875 for 2021-22, up from $37,580 in 2020-21. The number of public universities where the out-of-state cost is over $40,000, after dropping the previous year has once again increased from 170 to 180. The number charging $50,000 or more has increased as well from 55 to 59. Those with price tag over $60,000 holds steady at 14 but Berkeley and the University of Virginia have crossed the $70,000 threshold.

The number of state colleges with a total cost of attendance for in-state residents greater than $30,000 has increased from 79 to 88. However, I’m not quite ready to raise my cut-off for the cheapest colleges yet so it will remain at $33,000. There are 175 public universities with out-of-state total costs below this level which is actually an increase of 10 from the previous year. The number with prices under $26,000 for non-residents has declined only by 1 from 41 to 40 since last year.

States with the Most Public Colleges with the Cheapest Cost of Attendance

Wisconsin had the most colleges with a total cost of attendance of $33,000 or less with 11 schools. Minnesota and Oklahoma followed with 10 each and Missouri and Georgia had 9 schools. A total of 16 states didn’t have any schools that make the list of cheapest out-of-state colleges. Another 6 (up from 4 the previous year) have only one school on the list.

  • Wisconsin
  • Minnesota
  • Oklahoma
  • Georgia
  • Missouri
  • Alabama
  • Arkansas
  • Pennsylvania

Of schools with a total cost of attendance (out-of-state tuition and living expenses) less than $33,000, only 43, which is an increase from the previous year’s 38, qualified as 50-50 schools. These are schools that accept at least 50% of students and have at least a 50% graduation rate. A total of 17 states had schools that had out-of-state total cost less than $33,000 and met the 50-50 requirements. Not surprisingly, Wisconsin had the most with 9, followed by Minnesota with 6, and Pennsylvania with 5. A total of 89 of the colleges have at least a 40% five-year graduation rate and 42 have rates of 50% or better. The average national 4-year college graduation rate is 46.6% for all colleges and 42.4 for public institutions.

Other Cheapest Out-of-State Colleges Characteristics

The following are some other factors students use when selecting colleges. You can find this information and more on the DIY College Rankings Search Spreadsheet.

Size by Full-time Undergraduates

  • 14 have more than 10,000
  • 52 are in the Goldilocks‘ ranges of 5,000 to 10,000
  • 109 are 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, 69 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.

Athletics

  • 20 NAIA
  • 11 NCAA FBS
  • 32 NCAA FCS
  • 6 NCAA D1
  • 75 NCAA D2
  • 16 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 the cheapest out-of-state colleges. The fact is that schools can and do charge students for having popular sports teams. It’s basic supply and demand.

Application Fees

  • 14 $50 Plus
  • 58 $30-$45
  • 47 $10-$25
  • 46 $0

The decrease in college application fees under COVID seems to be slowing. The number of schools charging $50 or more dropped from 15 to 14 while the second highest category held steady at 58. The number not listing any application fee charge increased from 41 to 56 and those in the next category actually decreased from 51 to 47.

Types of Colleges

Given the number of small colleges represented on the list it’s not surprising that 34 of the schools are Baccalaureate Colleges while 101 are Masters institutions. A total of 34 are Doctoral universities with 12 being Doctoral/Professional Universities and 22 classified as universities with high research activity.

The colleges are more likely to be located in towns or rural areas. However, 4 are in the Chicago area, 2 in New Orleans, 2 in Philadelphia, and 2 in Pittsburgh. At 22 of the schools less than 60% of freshman are considered in-state residents while at 51 schools 90% or more of freshman are in-state residents.

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. As for buying property or getting a job in a state to establish residency, this will all depend on the state.

Cheapest Out-of-State Colleges
(Total Cost of Attendance of $33,000 or Less)

Download PDF list with Acceptance Rates and Application Fees

 

Name State  Full-time Under-graduate   Total price for out-of-state
students 2021-22 
 Total price for in-state students
2021-22 
Alabama A & M University AL        4,910 $32,844 $24,234
Alabama State University AL        3,411 $30,438 $22,110
Auburn University at Montgomery AL        3,625 $31,218 $21,258
Jacksonville State University AL        6,576 $32,353 $22,633
Troy University AL        8,391 $32,289 $22,977
University of North Alabama AL        5,391 $32,486 $22,886
University of South Alabama AL        8,063 $31,224 $22,968
University of West Alabama AL        2,088 $32,405 $23,305
Dine College AZ        1,080 $12,700 $12,700
Arkansas State University AR        6,387 $28,221 $22,653
Arkansas Tech University AR        6,640 $27,157 $21,421
Henderson State University AR        2,478 $29,302 $27,094
Southern Arkansas University Main Campus AR        3,116 $30,002 $24,782
University of Arkansas at Monticello AR        1,683 $26,053 $20,203
University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff AR        2,379 $28,618 $21,748
University of Arkansas-Fort Smith AR        4,061 $29,400 $22,128
University of Central Arkansas AR        7,655 $30,521 $23,651
Adams State University CO        1,339 $32,050 $23,797
Clayton  State University GA        4,129 $31,641 $20,919
College of Coastal Georgia GA        2,017 $29,291 $22,385
Dalton State College GA        3,164 $22,144 $15,238
Fort Valley State University GA        2,427 $31,426 $20,704
Georgia Southwestern State University GA        1,806 $31,518 $20,796
Middle Georgia State University GA        5,392 $28,729 $21,382
Savannah State University GA        2,827 $22,591 $17,414
University of North Georgia GA      13,950 $32,270 $22,051
Valdosta State University GA        7,741 $32,850 $21,795
Lewis-Clark State College ID        2,361 $32,298 $19,042
Chicago State University IL        1,269 $26,179 $26,179
Eastern Illinois University IL        4,309 $28,170 $25,802
Governors State University IL        2,039 $32,349 $24,837
Northern Illinois University IL      11,151 $27,218 $27,218
Southern Illinois University-Carbondale IL        7,465 $29,903 $29,903
Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville IL        8,748 $26,007 $26,007
Western Illinois University IL        5,507 $27,400 $27,400
Purdue University Northwest IN        5,582 $28,496 $21,605
University of Northern Iowa IA        7,959 $32,109 $21,409
Emporia State University KS        2,956 $29,330 $21,413
Fort Hays State University KS        6,502 $29,804 $19,364
Haskell Indian Nations University KS            724 $8,650 $8,650
Pittsburg State University KS        4,467 $32,398 $21,054
Eastern Kentucky University KY        9,614 $32,234 $21,962
Kentucky State University KY        1,480 $21,858 $18,008
Morehead State University KY        5,458 $27,758 $23,114
Louisiana State University-Alexandria LA        2,308 $28,076 $20,937
Louisiana Tech University LA        8,246 $30,786 $24,045
McNeese State University LA        5,636 $32,252 $24,214
Nicholls State University LA        5,215 $25,109 $24,016
Southern University and A & M College LA        4,537 $31,833 $24,483
Southern University at New Orleans LA        1,273 $30,530 $21,629
University of New Orleans LA        5,524 $32,184 $27,348
University of Maine at Augusta ME        1,643 $32,238 $21,378
University of Maine at Fort Kent ME            629 $25,535 $21,125
University of Maine at Presque Isle ME            844 $25,315 $20,905
Coppin State University MD        1,665 $28,661 $22,136
Fitchburg State University MA        3,112 $31,700 $25,620
Worcester State University MA        4,122 $32,302 $26,222
Central Michigan University MI      11,622 $26,370 $26,370
Eastern Michigan University MI      10,150 $30,610 $30,610
Ferris State University MI        7,654 $25,970 $25,970
Grand Valley State University MI      19,102 $31,956 $26,220
Lake Superior State University MI        1,535 $27,666 $27,666
Northern Michigan University MI        6,015 $32,762 $27,266
Western Michigan University MI      13,937 $31,281 $27,947
Bemidji State University MN        2,967 $22,856 $22,856
Minnesota State University Moorhead MN        3,701 $31,980 $23,884
Minnesota State University-Mankato MN      11,075 $31,582 $22,528
Saint Cloud State University MN        6,339 $31,157 $22,317
Southwest Minnesota State University MN        1,733 $22,718 $22,718
University of Minnesota-Crookston MN        1,154 $25,086 $25,086
University of Minnesota-Duluth MN        7,727 $31,492 $26,194
University of Minnesota-Morris MN        1,171 $27,654 $25,562
University of Minnesota-Rochester MN            561 $28,426 $28,426
Winona State University MN        5,635 $29,494 $22,994
Alcorn State University MS        2,498 $23,812 $23,812
Delta State University MS        1,794 $21,774 $21,774
Jackson State University MS        4,336 $26,326 $25,326
Mississippi University for Women MS        2,357 $21,679 $21,679
Mississippi Valley State University MS        1,332 $21,260 $21,260
University of Southern Mississippi MS        9,726 $27,280 $25,280
Harris-Stowe State University MO        1,094 $27,553 $22,921
Lincoln University MO        1,495 $29,672 $22,682
Missouri Southern State University MO        3,769 $26,875 $19,283
Missouri State University-Springfield MO      13,502 $31,372 $23,168
Missouri Western State University MO        3,180 $29,270 $22,745
Northwest Missouri State University MO        5,080 $27,442 $21,375
Southeast Missouri State University MO        7,318 $30,844 $24,274
Truman State University MO        3,778 $30,523 $22,802
University of Central Missouri MO        6,579 $29,940 $22,192
Montana State University-Northern MT            788 $29,735 $17,025
Salish Kootenai College MT            648 $22,503 $17,319
The University of Montana-Western MT        1,053 $29,994 $18,530
Chadron State College NE        1,502 $24,022 $23,992
Peru State College NE        1,076 $19,060 $19,060
University of Nebraska at Kearney NE        3,946 $30,552 $24,300
Wayne State College NE        2,923 $20,822 $20,822
Eastern New Mexico University-Main Campus NM        2,435 $21,950 $19,910
Navajo Technical University NM            650 $15,510 $15,510
New Mexico Highlands University NM        1,313 $25,552 $20,896
Western New Mexico University NM        1,297 $30,019 $23,036
CUNY Hunter College NY      14,789 $32,888 $24,938
SUNY College of Technology at Canton NY        2,874 $30,187 $26,257
SUNY College of Technology at Delhi NY        2,484 $30,150 $26,380
United States Merchant Marine Academy NY        1,047 $4,780 $4,780
Elizabeth City State University NC        1,748 $18,425 $14,425
Fayetteville State University NC        4,358 $29,234 $17,626
North Carolina A & T State University NC      10,396 $32,122 $18,612
University of North Carolina at Pembroke NC        5,327 $20,915 $16,915
Western Carolina University NC        9,133 $23,018 $19,018
Dickinson State University ND        1,046 $22,142 $20,322
Mayville State University ND            643 $23,811 $20,677
Minot State University ND        1,934 $19,806 $19,806
North Dakota State University-Main Campus ND        9,657 $28,354 $23,879
University of North Dakota ND        7,510 $29,205 $24,764
Valley City State University ND            946 $24,790 $20,016
Central State University OH        2,694 $22,442 $20,442
Shawnee State University OH        2,680 $31,156 $25,114
University of Akron Main Campus OH      11,126 $25,824 $25,824
Wright State University-Lake Campus OH            880 $32,256 $22,838
Youngstown State University OH        8,901 $24,672 $24,312
Cameron University OK        2,547 $25,995 $16,575
East Central University OK        2,713 $29,663 $20,303
Langston University OK        1,844 $28,089 $20,709
Northeastern State University OK        4,631 $27,765 $19,125
Northwestern Oklahoma State University OK        1,375 $26,448 $19,330
Oklahoma Panhandle State University OK        1,141 $15,527 $14,783
Rogers State University OK        2,479 $32,195 $23,855
Southeastern Oklahoma State University OK        2,614 $27,066 $18,126
Southwestern Oklahoma State University OK        3,493 $29,823 $22,713
University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma OK            681 $30,060 $19,200
California University of Pennsylvania PA        4,173 $32,144 $27,526
Cheyney University of Pennsylvania PA            576 $30,368 $25,102
Edinboro University of Pennsylvania PA        2,861 $31,572 $27,054
Kutztown University of Pennsylvania PA        6,488 $31,838 $27,730
Lincoln University PA        1,743 $32,902 $26,546
Mansfield University of Pennsylvania PA        1,554 $27,724 $25,158
Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania PA        4,906 $30,056 $29,328
Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania PA        7,085 $29,087 $24,979
Black Hills State University SD        1,906 $25,200 $22,100
Dakota State University SD        1,574 $25,957 $22,855
Northern State University SD        1,183 $26,597 $23,495
Oglala Lakota College SD            757 $15,534 $15,534
South Dakota School of Mines and Technology SD        1,668 $31,130 $26,710
South Dakota State University SD        8,055 $26,126 $22,616
University of South Dakota SD        4,937 $27,367 $23,857
East Tennessee State University TN        9,591 $29,192 $25,890
The University of Tennessee-Martin TN        4,878 $28,372 $22,332
University of Memphis TN      12,848 $30,461 $26,429
Angelo State University TX        5,538 $32,558 $22,766
Midwestern State University TX        4,199 $26,304 $24,354
Tarleton State University TX        9,050 $32,078 $22,286
Texas Woman’s University TX        8,074 $32,673 $22,881
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley TX      27,799 $32,170 $22,378
University of Houston-Victoria TX        1,856 $31,931 $22,139
West Texas A & M University TX        5,600 $26,212 $24,206
Dixie State University UT        7,646 $31,768 $20,644
Weber State University UT      13,514 $32,108 $21,692
Bluefield State College WV        1,065 $30,169 $22,971
Concord University WV        1,465 $31,928 $22,178
Fairmont State University WV        3,019 $30,172 $20,914
Glenville State College WV        1,146 $25,894 $24,266
Shepherd University WV        2,384 $32,947 $22,507
West Liberty University WV        1,921 $32,053 $24,104
West Virginia State University WV        1,600 $30,778 $25,090
University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire WI        9,732 $29,487 $21,212
University of Wisconsin-Green Bay WI        5,174 $28,107 $19,889
University of Wisconsin-La Crosse WI        9,100 $26,932 $18,113
University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh WI        8,178 $27,764 $20,191
University of Wisconsin-Parkside WI        3,124 $28,143 $19,873
University of Wisconsin-Platteville WI        6,185 $29,413 $20,774
University of Wisconsin-River Falls WI        4,947 $26,469 $18,896
University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point WI        6,720 $28,017 $19,313
University of Wisconsin-Stout WI        5,762 $29,040 $20,773
University of Wisconsin-Superior WI        1,730 $27,313 $19,740
University of Wisconsin-Whitewater WI        9,305 $28,092 $19,220



Cheapest Out-of-State Colleges in 34 States

15 thoughts on “Cheapest Out-of-State Colleges in 34 States”

  1. 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.

  2. 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.

  3. Just an FYI regarding Michigan’s Lake Superior State University. As of this school year, they only charge one tuition rate regardless of residency.

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