10 Cheap Out-of-State Colleges to Consider

Worried that a degree will break the bank? While many students find college tuition unaffordable even after financial aid, higher education isn’t unfathomably expensive across the board. One route is public institutions in your state. But if you’re itching to leave home, you can also find affordable schools out of state.

Here, we’ve rounded up some of the most cost-effective colleges and universities in the United States — even without financial aid.

Cheap Out-of-State Colleges 

1. Alcorn State University

Out-of-State Tuition: $14,640*

In-State Tuition: $14,640

Location: Lorman, Mississippi

Acceptance rate: 58%

Enrollment: 3,523

A historically-Black college — the first Black land-grant college in the United States — Alcorn State boasts many notable alumni, including Medgar Evers, Steve McNair, and Katie Dorsett. The school is widely known for programs in liberal arts, technology, music, agricultural research, and nursing.

2. Central Connecticut State University

Out-of-State Tuition: $14,544 (New England resident); $24,866 (non-resident)

In-State Tuition: $11,462

Location: New Britain, Connecticut

Acceptance rate: 66%

Enrollment: 11,800 total, including 9,800 undergraduates

Connecticut’s oldest publicly funded university, CCSU consists of four schools: 

• Ammon College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences
• School of Business
• School of Education and Professional Studies
• School of Engineering, Science, and Technology. 

Along with programs across disciplines, the university is also home to the Blue Devils, who play in the NCAA Division I, and was named a Community Engaged Institution by the Carnegie Foundation.

3. Delta State University

Out-of-State Tuition: $7,951

In-State Tuition: $7,951

Location: Cleveland, Mississippi

Acceptance rate: 94%

Enrollment: 3,109

Offering 42 majors, along with a handful of graduate programs, Delta State is divided into four schools: the College of Arts and Sciences, the College of Business, the College of Education, and the School of Nursing. The mission of the institution is to serve as “the cultural and educational center for the Mississippi Delta…combin[ing] a heritage of academic strength with a robust commitment to serving people and communities.”

4. Grambling State University

Out-of-State Tuition: $23,606 (boarding)

In-State Tuition: $14,583 (boarding)

Location: Grambling, Louisiana

Acceptance rate: 96%

Enrollment: 5,232 total, including 4,110 undergraduates

Grambling State is an HBCU (historically Black college or university) that aims to provide top academic programs, including computer science, nursing, teacher education, and more, in an intimate community. The school is also known for the State Tigers, who compete in the NCAA Division I and the Southwestern Athletic Conference, and the Tiger Marching Band.

5. Minot State University

Out-of-State Tuition: $7,896

In-State Tuition: $7,896

Location: Minot, North Dakota

Acceptance rate: 74%

Enrollment: 3,121 total, including 2,832 undergraduates

MSU consists of three colleges: Arts and Sciences, Business, and Education and Health Sciences. Along with undergraduate programs in areas like Education, Social Work and Youth Services, and Corrections, the school offers nine master’s degrees and an education specialist degree. 

6. Mississippi Valley State University

Out-of-State Tuition: $6,726

In-State Tuition: $6,726

Location: Itta Bena, Mississippi

Acceptance rate: 65%

Enrollment: 2,147 total, including 1,833 undergraduates

Established as a vocational college, MVSU now offers undergraduate and graduate degrees through the Colleges of Arts & Sciences, College of Professional Studies, College of Education, and Graduate School. It also has an honors program for promising undergraduates, and professional counselors help all students explore interests and develop skills.

7. Oklahoma Panhandle State University

Out-of-State Tuition: $6,525

In-State Tuition: $6,525

Location: Goodwell, Oklahoma

Acceptance rate: 90%

Enrollment: 1,242

Exclusively offering undergraduate education, OPSU aims to make students lifelong learners. Three schools, including the College of Agriculture, Science, and Nursing; the College of Business and Technology; and the College of Arts and Education, offer associates and bachelor’s degrees in disciplines like nursing, business, computer programming, and more.

8. Peru State College

Out-of-State Tuition: $7,704

In-State Tuition: $7,704

Location: Peru, Nebraska

Acceptance rate: 100%

Enrollment: 2,114 total, including 1,851 undergraduates

The oldest college in Nebraska, Peru State boasts many notable undergraduate programs across the School of Education, the School of Arts and Sciences, and the School of Professional Studies, along with several graduate programs. Peru is known for small class size and programs in areas like education and criminal justice.

9. Southern Arkansas University

Out-of-State Tuition: $11,460

In-State Tuition: $6,420

Location: Magnolia, Arkansas

Acceptance rate: 65%

Enrollment: 4,472 total, including 3,584 undergraduates

With several different types of degree paths, including 2+2 and pre-professional programs across four colleges (Business, Education, Liberal and Performing Arts, and Science and Engineering), SAU has plenty to offer. Along with more than 80 undergraduate degrees, including the new cybersecurity computer science program, the school has 19 graduate programs.

10. Santa Monica College

Out-of-State Tuition: $8,840

In-State Tuition: $1,144

Location: Santa Monica, California

Acceptance rate: 100%

Enrollment: 28,800

A two-year college, Santa Monica is the top community college in California for transfers to the University of California system, UCLA, USC, and LMU. The school offers more than 90 fields of study. Notable alumni include Dustin Hoffman, Kenan Thompson, Ryan Seacrest, and Laila Ali.

* Per academic year.

How to Get In-State Tuition at Out-of-State Schools

If you’re looking to study at an out-of-state school with more affordable tuition, tuition reciprocity programs can help. They allow students to study at out-of-state colleges while paying in-state or reduced tuition. Often, you’ll need to meet certain requirements to be considered, including living in the same region as the school (but not the same state). You may also have to study an in-demand discipline.

Reciprocity programs include:

• Academic Common Market (South)
• Regional Contract Program (South, specifically for students in healthcare fields)
• Midwest Student Exchange
• West Undergraduate Exchange (West, Alaska, and Hawaii)
• Professional Student Exchange Program (West, Alaska, Hawaii, and Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands)
• New England Regional Student Program
• DC Tuition Assistance Program

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