Cheapest Out-of-State Colleges in 33 States

(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