425 Colleges Charging In-State Tuition for Out-of-State Applicants
The cost of out-of-state tuition, in most instances, can be more than double or triple the cost of in-state tuition. It’s because of this why many students are intimidated by applying to out-of-state public schools, including especially good ones. Fortunately, some schools waive out-of-state tuition and participate in tuition exchanges.
Out-of-state applicants are eligible to pay in-state tuition if the college they are applying to participates in a tuition reciprocity program. The in-state tuition eligibility requirements include being a resident of certain states and applying to majors not available in local schools.
Below, we will talk about how you can get your hands on low out-of-state tuition rates by looking for those with low sticker prices as well as participate in tuition reciprocity programs.
Cheap Out-of-State Tuition
Many popular public schools, including especially state flagship ones, are known to have some of the steepest out-of-state tuition. The good news is that numerous public colleges and universities have pocket-friendly out-of-state tuition rates, some of which are even close to their in-state counterparts.
Is the major you’re interested in not being offered by any public institution in your state but available at an out-of-state school that you have always wanted to go to?
There’s no need to put your dream of having a college degree on hold.
That’s because there are some steps you may take to enjoy in-state tuition rates while attending a good out-of-state school.
Here are some of the things you may do to become an out-of-state student who’s paying in-state tuition — or something so close to it:
- Look for schools with low sticker prices. Some of the most affordable public schools are located in less populated areas, especially those in the middle of the country. Many of them have a total annual cost of attendance of less than $35,000. Some public schools charge in-state students $30,000 and above.
- Apply to schools that offer tuition waivers and merit scholarships. Do you have an impressive GPA and test scores? Many out-of-state public schools will be more than willing to have you — all you have to do is look for them! Many will offer you out-of-state tuition waivers and merit-based scholarships, too.
- Take advantage of tuition reciprocity programs. Many states in various regions have agreed to offer out-of-state students tuition rates close or similar to in-state ones. However, there are some requirements to meet, like having a certain GPA or pursuing certain majors, like those in healthcare fields.
Speaking of tuition reciprocity programs, applying for one allows you to go to a good public school outside your state but within the same region without paying out-of-state tuition.
Below, we will talk about some of the most important things you need to know about it, such as the different programs and participating public colleges and universities.
Related Article: Which State Has Best Colleges
Tuition Reciprocity Programs
It’s a definite must for tuition reciprocity programs to be tackled when it comes to paying in-state tuition at out-of-state schools.
That’s because they make it possible for students to enjoy tuition rates outside their hometowns equivalent or close to in-state tuition rates, thus making earning a college degree easier on the bank.
For the most part, tuition reciprocity programs enable students to attend colleges or universities in different states and pay in-state, like in-state students, or reduced tuition rates.
These programs are often reserved for students living in different states but in the same regions.
It’s because of this why some people sometimes refer to tuition reciprocity programs as “regional education exchanges”. You may also hear others call it “regional exchanges” or “tuition exchanges”. No matter the case, the fact remains that it makes out-of-state students to go to college so much cheaper.
Most of the time, tuition reciprocity programs only apply to public schools in the region. However, in some instances, public and private colleges and universities partner with each other to lower tuition rates across the board.
What’s more, these tuition-lowering programs are commonly reserved for certain college programs only.
Different states in different regions have an agreement with each other, the product of which is the existence of various tuition reciprocity programs.
Some of them are the Academic Common Market, Regional Contract Program, Midwest Student Exchange, Western Undergraduate Exchange, Professional Student Exchange Program, and New England Regional Student Program. Note that some states participate in multiple tuition reciprocity programs.
Let’s take a quick look at the participating states for each available program:
The Academic Common Market
Alabama
Arkansas
Delaware
Florida
Georgia
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maryland
Mississippi
Oklahoma
South Carolina
Tennessee
Texas
Virginia
West Virginia
The Regional Contract Program
Arkansas
Delaware
Georgia
Kentucky
Louisiana
Mississippi
South Carolina
The Midwest Student Exchange
Illinois
Indiana
Kansas
Michigan
Minnesota
Missouri
Nebraska
North Dakota
Wisconsin
The Western Undergraduate Exchange
Alaska
Arizona
California
Colorado
Hawaii
Idaho
Montana
Nevada
New Mexico
North Dakota
Oregon
South Dakota
Utah
Washington
Wyoming
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands
The Professional Student Exchange Program
Alaska
Arizona
Colorado
Hawaii
Montana
Nevada
New Mexico
North Dakota
Utah
Wyoming
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands
The New England Regional Student Program
Connecticut
Maine
Massachusetts
New Hampshire
Rhode Island
Vermont
There is also the DC Tuition Assistance Program. Another one of the many tuition reciprocity programs available in the US, it allows students residing in the District of Columbia to enjoy in-state tuition rates outside the district at more than 300 colleges and universities in the nation.
Before we proceed to the next topic, there are a few things we should talk through:
- Some states do not participate in any tuition reciprocity programs at all. They include New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, New Jersey, Iowa, and North Carolina.
- Some states may choose to drop out from a tuition reciprocity program at any given time.
- Not all public schools in participating states are involved in tuition reciprocity programs. This is especially true for some of the most well-known state flagship colleges or universities.
Just because the state you are living in and the state where your preferred school is in are in the same region and partake in the same tuition reciprocity program doesn’t necessarily mean that you can apply to any out-of-state school within the same region and earn a college degree at in-state tuition rates.
As mentioned above, not all public schools in participating states are involved with the program.
Continue reading if you would like to know which schools participate in which tuition reciprocity program — we will list all of them to know what your options would be should you decide to enroll out of state. And later, we will also discuss the fact that only some academic programs or majors qualify for tuition reciprocity programs.
Participating Schools in Every Region
Not all public colleges and universities take part in tuition reciprocity programs. In some instances, it’s because they do not offer majors considered eligible by these programs.
For instance, there is no reason for a school without any healthcare-related majors to participate if the program is exclusive for out-of-state students majoring in healthcare fields.
Let’s check out schools under each tuition reciprocity program:
The Academic Common Market
Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College
Alabama A&M
Alabama State University
Angelo State University
Arkansas State University
Arkansas Tech University
Auburn University – Montgomery
Augusta University
Austin Peay State University
Bluefield State College
Bowie State University
Christopher Newport University
Clayton State University
Clemson University
Coastal Carolina University
College of William & Mary
Concord University
Coppin State University
Delaware State University
Delta State University
East Central University
East Tennessee State University
Eastern Kentucky University
Fairmont State University
Florida A&M University
Florida Atlantic University
Florida Gulf Coast University
Florida International University
Florida State University
Frostburg State University
Georgia College
Georgia Institute of Technology
Georgia Southern University
Georgia Southwestern State University
Georgia State University
Glenville State College
Grambling State University
Jackson State University
Jacksonville State University
Kennesaw State University
Kentucky State University
Lamar University
Lander University
Langston University
Longwood University
Louisiana State University
Louisiana State University Shreveport
Louisiana Tech University
Marshall University
McNeese State University
Middle Georgia State University
Middle Tennessee State University
Midwestern State University
Mississippi State University
Mississippi University for Women
Mississippi Valley State University
Morehead State University
Murray State University
New College of Florida
Nicholls State University
Norfolk State University
Northern Kentucky University
Northwestern State University of Louisiana
Oklahoma State University
Old Dominion University
Prairie View A&M University
Radford University
Sam Houston State University
Savannah State University
South Carolina State University
Southeastern Oklahoma State University
Southern University and A&M College
Southern University – New Orleans
Southwestern Oklahoma State University
Tennessee State University
Tennessee Technological University
Texas A&M International University
Texas A&M University
Texas A&M University – Commerce
Texas State University
Texas Tech University
Texas Woman’s University
Towson University
Troy University
University of Alabama
University of Alabama – Birmingham
University of Alabama – Huntsville
University of Arkansas
University of Arkansas – Little Rock
University of Arkansas – Pine Bluff
University of Baltimore
University of Central Florida
University of Central Oklahoma
University of Delaware
University of Florida
University of Georgia
University of Houston
University of Houston – Clear Lake
University of Houston – Victoria
University of Kentucky
University of Louisiana – Lafayette
University of Louisiana – Monroe
University of Louisville
University of Maryland, Baltimore County
University of Memphis
University of Mississippi
University of New Orleans
University of North Alabama
University of North Florida
University of North Georgia
University of North Texas
University of Oklahoma
University of South Alabama
University of South Carolina – Aiken
University of South Carolina – Beaufort
University of South Carolina – Upstate
University of South Florida
University of Southern Mississippi
University of Tennessee
University of Tennessee – Chattanooga
University of Tennessee – Martin
University of Texas – Arlington
University of Texas – Dallas
University of Texas – El Paso
University of Texas – San Antonio
University of Texas – Tyler
University of West Alabama
University of West Florida
Valdosta State University
Virginia State University
West Liberty University
West Virginia University
Western Kentucky University
Winthrop University
The Regional Contract Program
Auburn University
Edward Via Virginia College of Osteopathic Medicine
Kent State University
Louisiana State University
Meharry Medical College
Mississippi State University
Northeastern State University
Nova Southeastern College
Oklahoma State University
Rosalind Franklin University
Southern College
Texas A&M
Tuskegee University
University of Alabama – Birmingham
University of Georgia
University of Houston
University of Louisville
University of Oklahoma
University of Tennessee
The Midwest Student Exchange
Bismarck State College
Central Methodist University
Chadron State College
Cleveland State University
Columbia College – Missouri
Culver-Stockton College
Emporia State University
Ferris State University
Fort Hays State University
Harris-Stowe State University
Indiana State University
Indiana University – Purdue University Indianapolis
Indiana University East
Indiana University Kokomo
Indiana University Northwest
Indiana University South Bend
Indiana University Southeast
Kansas State University
Lincoln University – Missouri
Lindenwood University
Mayville State University
Maryville University
Minnesota State University Moorhead
Minnesota State University Mankato
Missouri Southern State University
Missouri State University
Missouri Valley College
Missouri Western State University
North Dakota State University
Northwest Missouri State University
Pittsburg State University
Purdue University Fort Wayne
Saint Louis University
Shawnee State University
Southeast Missouri State University
St. Cloud State University
Truman State University
University of Akron
University of Central Missouri
University of Kansas
University of Minnesota Duluth
University of Missouri – Kansas City
University of Missouri – St. Louis
University of Nebraska – Kearney
University of Nebraska Omaha
University of Nebraska – Lincoln
University of North Dakota
University of Rio Grande
University of Wisconsin – Green Bay
University of Wisconsin – La Crosse
University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee
University of Wisconsin – Oshkosh
University of Wisconsin – River Falls
University of Wisconsin – Stevens Point
University of Wisconsin – Stout
University of Wisconsin – Superior
University of Wisconsin – Whitewater
Valley City State University
Wayne State College
Webster University
Wichita State University
William Woods University
The Western Undergraduate Exchange
Adams State University
Aims Community College
Arapahoe Community College
Arizona State University – Downtown
Arizona State University – West Campus
Arizona Western College
Bismarck State College
Black Hills State University
Boise State University
Cal Poly Pomona
California State University – Bakersfield
California State University – Channel Islands
California State University – Chico
California State University – Dominguez Hills
California State University – East Bay
California State University – Maritime Academy
California State University – Northridge
California State University – Sacramento
California State University – San Bernardino
California State University – San Marcos
California State University – Stanislaus
Casper College
Central Arizona College
Central Washington University
Central Wyoming College
Chandler-Gilbert Community College
Cochise College
Coconino Community College
College of Southern Idaho
College of Southern Nevada
Colorado Mesa University
Colorado Mountain College
Colorado Northwestern Community College
Colorado State University – Fort Collins
Colorado State University – Pueblo
Community College of Aurora
Community College of Denver
Dakota College – Bottineau
Dakota State University
Dawson Community College
Dickinson State University
Dixie State University
Eastern Arizona College
Eastern New Mexico University
Eastern Oregon University
Eastern Washington University
Eastern Wyoming College
Estrella Mountain Community College
Evergreen State College
Flathead Valley Community College
Fort Lewis College
Front Range Community College
Gateway Community College
Gillette College
Glendale Community College
Great Basin College
Great Falls College
Helena College University of Montana
Highlands College of Montana Tech
Humboldt State University
Idaho State University
Lake Region State College
Lamar Community College
Laramie County Community College
Lewis-Clark State College
Mayville State University
Mesa Community College
Metropolitan State University of Denver
Miles Community College
Minot State University
Mohave Community College
Montana State University – Billings
Montana State University – Bozeman
Montana State University – Northern
Montana Tech
Morgan Community College
Nevada State College
New Mexico Highlands University
New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology
New Mexico Junior College
New Mexico Military Institute
New Mexico State University
New Mexico State University – Alamogordo
North Dakota State College of Science
North Dakota State University
North Idaho College
Northeastern Junior College
Northern Arizona University
Northern Marianas College
Northern New Mexico College
Northern State University
Northland Pioneer College
Northwest College
Oregon Institute of Technology
Oregon State University
Otero Junior College
Paradise Valley Community College
Phoenix College
Pikes Peak Community College
Pima Community College
Portland State University
Pueblo Community College
Red Rocks Community College
Rio Salado College
Salt Lake Community College
Santa Fe Community College
Scottsdale Community College
Sheridan College
Snow College
Sonoma State University
South Dakota School of Mines and Technology
South Dakota State University
South Mountain Community College
Southern Oregon University
Southern Utah University
Spokane Community College
Trinidad State Junior College
Truckee Meadows Community College
University of Alaska Anchorage
University of Alaska Fairbanks
University of Alaska Southeast
University of Arizona
University of Arizona Sierra Vista
University of California – Merced
University of Colorado – Colorado Springs
University of Colorado – Denver
University of Guam
University of Hawaii – Hilo
University of Hawaii – Manoa
University of Hawaii – Maui College
University of Hawaii – West Oahu
University of Idaho
University of Montana – Missoula
University of Montana – Western
University of Nevada – Las Vegas
University of Nevada – Reno
University of New Mexico
University of North Dakota
University of Northern Colorado
University of South Dakota
University of Utah
University of Wyoming
Utah State University
Utah State University – Eastern
Utah Valley University
Valley City State University
Washington State University
Washington State University – Everett
Washington State University – Tri-Cities
Washington State University – Vancouver
Weber State University
Western Colorado University
Western Nevada College
Western New Mexico University
Western Oregon University
Western Washington University
Western Wyoming College
Williston State College
Yavapai College
The Professional Student Exchange Program
AT Still University of Health Sciences
Chapman University
College of Medicine – Phoenix
Colorado State University
Eastern Washington University
George Fox University
Idaho State University
Loma Linda University
Marshall B. Ketchum University
Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science
Midwestern State University
Midwestern University – Glendale
Mount St. Mary’s University
North Dakota State University
Oregon Health & Science University
Oregon State University
Pacific University
Red Rocks Community College
Regis University
Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions
Rocky Vista University – Southern Utah
Samuel Merritt University
Touro University – California
Touro University – Nevada
University of North Dakota
University of New Mexico
University of Arizona
University of California
University of California – Davis
University of California – Irvine
University of California – Los Angeles
University of California – San Diego
University of California – San Francisco
University of Colorado
University of Hawaii – Hilo
University of Nevada – Las Vegas
University of North Dakota
University of Puget Sound
University of South Dakota
University of Southern California
University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences
University of Utah
University of Washington
University of Wyoming
University of the Pacific
Washington State University
Western University of Health Sciences
The New England Regional Student Program
Bridgewater State University
Castleton University
Central Connecticut State University
Eastern Connecticut State University
Fitchburg State University
Framingham State University
Keene State College
Maine Maritime Academy
Massachusetts Maritime Academy
Northern Vermont University
Northern Vermont University – Johnson
Plymouth State University
Rhode Island College
Salem State University
Southern Connecticut State University
University of Connecticut
University of Maine
University of Maine – Augusta
University of Maine – Farmington
University of Maine – Fort Kent
University of Maine – Presque Isle
University of Massachusetts Amherst
University of Massachusetts Boston
University of Massachusetts Dartmouth
University of Massachusetts Lowell
University of New Hampshire
University of Rhode Island
University of Southern Maine
University of Vermont
Vermont Technical College
Western Connecticut State University
Westfield State University
Worcester State University
Meeting In-State Eligibility Requirements
As you can see, many public colleges and universities participate in tuition reciprocity programs. It goes without saying that your chances of being an out-of-state student while paying in-state tuition rates are high.
But just because you will go to a school that waives out-of-state tuition via a tuition reciprocity program doesn’t mean right away that you will enjoy in-state tuition. Before you try to have the opportunity to pay in-state tuition rates like in-state students, there are some important matters you need to know:
- Many tuition reciprocity programs, such as the Regional Contract Program and the Professional Student Exchange Program, offer in-state tuition rates to out-of-state students in healthcare fields only. Some of them include medicine, dentistry, physical therapy, optometry, pharmacy, podiatry, and veterinary medicine.
- To be eligible for a tuition reciprocity program, the major you would like to take at an out-of-state school should not be available from any college or university in your state.
- You will not be eligible for any tuition reciprocity program automatically. You will have to apply for it if you want to pay in-state tuition rates while attending an out-of-state college or university. Each program has its own application process. Visiting a tuition reciprocity program’s website will let you obtain pertinent application details such as the requirements you will have to meet and the process you will have to carry out.
Just Before You Enroll Out-of-State
There are many colleges and universities that waive out-of-state tuition. This is especially for those who participate in tuition reciprocity programs. However, to enjoy in-state tuition at an out-of-state school, you will have to be eligible for it by meeting certain application and college major requirements.
Above, we talked about the different tuition reciprocity programs and the schools that partake in each one.
Visiting each program’s website will let you know whether or not you are eligible to apply and benefit from going to a good out-of-state school without ending up knee-deep in debt.
And one final tip: Consider a possibility of establishing a residency in a state with your dream public college. This requires time and proper planning, but something you should check in case you want to save money on college tuition.
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of the College Reality Check.
