Top 8 Cheapest Out-of-State Colleges
If you’re studying out-of-state, tuition can be extremely expensive. Mitigate that cost with our list of cheap out-of-state colleges.
College is expensive, especially if you pick an out-of-state school. The average price of tuition for in-state public schools is $10,388. If you leave your home state? You’re looking at more than double, with public out-of-state colleges costing about $22,000 per year.
But it’s normal to crave the full college experience — to want to live away from home and explore a new city. Sometimes, scholarships fall short in covering the cost. Is there such a thing as a school with the cheapest out-of-state tuition? Luckily, you can find affordable out-of-state colleges all over the US.
We’ve put together a list of some cheap out-of-state colleges for you to choose from.
Cheapest Out-of-State Colleges
Tuition isn’t the only thing you have to worry about with even the best out-of-state colleges. You’ll spend more on accommodation costs, food, and travel to and from home on the weekends or holidays.
Here’s our list of the cheapest out-of-state tuition colleges.
1. Nicholls State University, Louisiana (NSU)
Nicholls State University has some nationally renowned programs, including in biology, nursing, and culinary school. Impressively, their website claims that 100% of all nursing graduates are either employed or pursuing graduate school education.
Tuition (2021-2022): $9,039
Acceptance Rate: 94%
Undergraduate Enrollment: 5,674
Popular Programs: Nursing
2.University of North Carolina - Pembroke (UNCP)
The University of North Carolina - Pembroke is one of the top colleges with low out-of-state tuition for students interested in a career in law enforcement. If you want to study on a budget, UNCP offers one of the lowest out-of-state tuition on our list. The school is also well-known for being one of the most ethnically diverse schools in the area.
Tuition (2021-2022): $5,000
Acceptance Rate: 91%
Undergraduate Enrollment: 6,436
Popular Programs: Law enforcement, criminal justice, homeland security
3. Oklahoma Panhandle State University, Oklahoma (OPSU)
OPSU was founded in 1909 and offers a great education to prospective nurses and liberal arts graduates. This is a great choice if you want to attend a school with a smaller population, as the undergraduate enrollment last year was just over 1,000. Students have a great chance to apply for grants, scholarships, and student loans as well.
Tuition (2021-2022): $7,665
Acceptance Rate: 93%
Undergraduate Enrollment: 1,337
Popular Programs: Nursing, liberal arts, business
4. Bemidji State University, Minnesota
Bemidji State University is nestled in Minnesota’s rich forests, with a nature-centric campus. The school is known for renowned business programs in accounting, as well as for having small classes.
Tuition (2021-2022): $9,192
Acceptance Rate: 70%
Undergraduate Enrollment: 4,108
Popular Programs: Accounting, business, arts
5. Mississippi University for Women
If you’re a young woman looking to study in the south alongside mainly women, the Mississippi University for Women offers an affordable option. Contrary to its name, the school still accepts male students, with about 20% of the student body men.
Tuition (2021-2022): $7,756
Acceptance Rate: 99%
Undergraduate Enrollment: 2,418
Popular Programs: Nursing, kinesiology, speech pathology
6. Alcorn State University (Mississippi)
Alcorn State University is located in Mississippi. Founded in 1871, the school is a historically black land-grant university. Popular areas of study include agriculture, business, and liberal arts.
Be sure to check out our list of affordable online colleges in Mississippi as well!
Tuition (2021-2022): $7,596
Acceptance Rate: 37.7%
Undergraduate Enrollment: 2,729
Popular Programs: Agriculture, liberal arts, business
7. Wayne State College, Nebraska
Wayne State College was founded in 1910 in Wayne, Nebraska. The school used to be primarily for education and teaching programs, but has expanded to offer over 100 other programs. Popular fields of study include
Tuition (2021-2022): $7,458
Acceptance Rate: 81%
Undergraduate Enrollment: 3,440
Popular Programs: Psychology, international business, computer science and technology
8. Western Carolina University (NC)
Founded originally to educate North Carolinians in the mountains, Western Carolina University is part of the University of North Carolina school system. The school has many different programs, with notable majors in the engineering, healthcare, and business fields.
Tuition (2021-2022): $5,00
Acceptance Rate: 48%
Undergraduate Enrollment: 10,517
Popular Programs: Engineering, science, healthcare
Cheap Out-of-State College Comparison
Curious about how the above affordable out-of-state colleges compare? Check out our chart below, comparing each school’s tuition, acceptance rate, popular programs, and more.
|
College |
Location |
Tuition |
Acceptance Rate |
Undergraduate Enrolment |
Popular Programs |
|
Nicholls State University |
Louisiana |
$9,039 |
94% |
5,674 |
Nursing |
|
University of North Carolina - Pembroke |
North Carolina |
$5,000 |
91% |
6,436 |
Law enforcement, criminal justice, homeland security |
|
Oklahoma Panhandle State University |
Oklahoma |
$7,665 |
93% |
1,337 |
Nursing, liberal arts, business |
|
Bemidji State University |
Minnesota |
$9,192 |
70% |
4,108 |
Accounting, business, arts |
|
Mississippi University for Women |
Mississippi |
$7,756 |
99% |
2,418 |
Nursing, kinesiology, speech pathology |
|
Alcorn State University |
Mississippi |
$7,596 |
37.7% |
2,729 |
Agriculture, liberal arts, business |
|
Wayne State College |
Nebraska |
$7,458 |
81% |
3,440 |
Psychology, international business, computer science and technology |
|
Western Carolina University (NC) |
North Carolina |
$5,000 |
48% |
10,517 |
Engineering, science, healthcare |
Conclusion
Cheap out-of-state colleges do exist, helping you fulfill your dream to embark on a college adventure away from home. Just make sure you research each school thoroughly to make sure they offer the programs and curriculums you’re most interested in. Without that, cheap tuition isn’t as valuable.
If in-state schools don’t appeal to you, and you can’t find the right out-of-state college, don’t worry. Check out our list of the cheapest online colleges for 2022.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What State Has the Cheapest Out-of-State Tuition?
Out of the colleges on our list, University of North Carolina Pembroke and Western Carolina University offer the cheapest out-of-state tuition, at $5,000 per year.
How Can I Get Inexpensive Out-of-State Tuition?
Most out-of-state schools charge a premium. Review our list of the cheapest out-of-state tuition universities to find inexpensive out-of-state tuition. Additionally, you might consider applying for some scholarships.
Is it Worth it to Pay Out-of-State Tuition?
That answer depends on the individual. If you can afford the cost of attendance and feel drawn to a school’s culture and program of study, it’s certainly worth it.
Does FAFSA Cover Out-of-State Tuition?
Yes, but FAFSA might not cover the entire cost of out-of-state tuition.
Do Athletes Pay Out-of-State Tuition?
It depends on the school and the student. Some scholarships might cover the entire cost of an athlete’s tuition. If not, some schools may waive the additional costs of out-of-state tuition for athletes.
