Key Takeaways:
- Although in-state students typically pay less than out-of-state students, there are ways to reduce the higher tuition costs.
- Start by completing your FAFSA and look into financial aid options like scholarships, grants, and work-study programs.
- Establishing residency or attending a school in an academic common market can help cover school expenses.
How To Make Out-of-State College Affordable
When deciding on a college, it can be tempting to stay local for the cost savings alone–but what if your dream school is in another state? For many students, studying out of state is about the excitement of living in a new place or the unique opportunities a college offers for their future.
While it’s true that out-of-state public institutions often come with a higher price tag than in-state ones, that doesn’t mean you have to rule them out solely on cost. If a school checks all of your boxes aside from expenses, there are ways that you can lower your total bill. Here are a few tips that can help make out-of-state college more affordable.
In-State vs Out-of-State Tuition in 2024
At four-year public institutions, in-state students often pay less than out-of-state students because state governments subsidize the education costs for their residents. According to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), the average tuition and fees in 2023–24 were $9,000 for in-state students and $19,300 for out-of-state students.
8 Ways To Reduce Out-of-State Tuition Costs
If you have your sights set on attending an out-of-state school, there are ways to lower your tuition costs. Here are some tips to help:
1. Make Sure You Complete the FAFSA
One of the best ways to make your out-of-state college choice more affordable is to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Many college students lose out on receiving aid because they neglect to fill out the paperwork. While it’s not a “one and done” process, if you don’t complete the FAFSA, you are missing out on all sorts of financial resources, including grants, scholarship opportunities, work-study programs, and even federal loans.
2. Actively Seek Out Scholarships
If you are a non-resident student applying to a school away from home, you may consider looking into specific scholarship opportunities from the school you wish to attend. If you apply early with academic eligibility, you may have a better chance of applying for and receiving a scholarship. This can significantly reduce the cost of your out-of-state tuition.
Outside your choice school’s scholarship opportunities, you can find hundreds of niche scholarships that may align with your experience or interests. If you have an interest in the military, the ROTC Scholarship could be for you. There are scholarships for being tall, being left-handed, or even creatively responding to how you would survive a zombie apocalypse! Using a scholarship search engine can make it easier to find the ones that match your interests.
3. Attend a State School in an “Academic Common Market”
Some states and systems have come together to offer lower tuition rates for students who are out-of-state (reciprocity programs), but in the same regional area. If your state is included in this grouping, you could pay a lower price to attend the institution.
There are four academic common markets available for students to consider. However, not every school will participate in the program, so it’s important to do your research to see if your dream school does. The four academic common markets with their in are:
- Midwestern Higher Education Compact: Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, and Wisconsin.
- New England Board of Higher Education: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont.
- Southern Regional Education Board: Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and West Virginia.
- Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming.
4. Become a Resident of the State
To qualify as a resident, both you and your parents or guardians (if you’re a dependent student) must live in the state for a full year, in most cases. Unfortunately, living in a dorm room on campus does not count.
You or your family would need to prove residency in the state–either by renting an apartment or moving there permanently. Whichever you choose, make sure you have a paper trail to prove your residency. That includes getting a driver’s license in the state, registering to vote, and paying taxes.
This may seem like a big decision, but depending on your circumstances, it could make perfect sense. Not only can it significantly lower your tuition costs, but also your living expenses (especially if you live with roommates!).
5. Work and Save Towards Your Tuition
Consider working a part-time job or applying for a work-study opportunity while you are enrolled in school. Although balancing work and school can be challenging, it can provide valuable experience and help cover living expenses. It may even help you land a job after you graduate! Look for job opportunities on or near campus that fit your schedule and interests.
6. Talk to the Financial Aid Office
If you’ve got your eye on a particular college and you are concerned about the cost of attendance, reaching out to the financial aid office is a great first step. They’ll typically offer several options to help you lower the cost:
- Merit or Need-Based Aid: Some state schools offer financial aid specifically for out-of-state students who demonstrate the merit or need for funds.
- Legacy Scholarships: These awards are available to out-of-state students whose parents are alumni of the school.
- Reduced Tuition for Academic High Achievers: Some institutions offer tuition discounts to high-performing students from out of state.
- Tuition Waivers: These are offered to attract top out-of-state students who live in neighboring states or have family ties to the school.
7. Using Student Loans
Out-of-state schools can cost tens of thousands of dollars per year. If the aforementioned doesn’t fully cover the cost, private student loans could help with the remaining tuition gaps. However, unlike scholarships and grants, student loans will need to be repaid with interest. If student loans are necessary, calculate what you’d need to borrow for an out-of-state school versus an in-state one.
8. Consider Military Benefits
In the past, only some states offered in-state tuition rates to out-of-state military members and their families. However, the passage of H.R. 3230 in 2014 changed that. It was signed into law to give military members, veterans, and their dependents in-state status at public institutions, regardless of their residency. If you have served or are part of a military family, be sure to explore this option.
Many students and their families experience sticker shock when they see the price of college tuition, especially for out-of-state schools. However, there are ways to make college more affordable–from exploring financial aid options to applying for scholarships. With some research and effort, you’ll find there are plenty of ways to reduce the costs of out-of-state tuition.
Aside from costs, there are a number of other factors that go into deciding if you should attend a state school as an out-of-state student. Check out our full list of things to consider to help you make the decision.
You can also use our College Match tool to compare your favorite colleges, their costs, majors, and more.
| Lender | Rates (APR) | Eligibility | |
|---|---|---|---|
 |
5.34%-15.96%* Variable
3.99%-15.61%* Fixed
|
Undergraduate and Graduate
|
VISIT CITIZENS |
 |
4.92% - 15.08% Variable
3.99% - 15.49% Fixed
|
Undergraduate and Graduate
|
VISIT SALLIE MAE |
 |
4.50% - 17.99% Variable
3.45% - 17.99% Fixed
|
Undergraduate and Graduate
|
VISIT CREDIBLE |
 |
6.00% - 13.75% Variable
3.99% - 13.75% Fixed
|
Undergraduate and Graduate
|
VISIT LENDKEY |
 |
5.50% - 14.56% Variable
3.69% - 14.41% Fixed
|
Undergraduate and Graduate
|
VISIT ASCENT |
|
|
3.70% - 8.75% Fixed
|
Undergraduate and Graduate
|
VISIT ISL |
 |
4.99% - 16.85% Variable
3.47% - 16.49% Fixed
|
Undergraduate and Graduate
|
VISIT EARNEST |
 |
5.00% - 14.22% Variable
3.69% - 14.22% Fixed
|
Undergraduate and Graduate
|
VISIT ELFI |
