These colleges have some of the lowest tuition and fees for out-of-state students
The cost of tuition and fees may be the biggest barrier for many prospective college students. Somepublic schools offer affordable tuition to in-state students and keep costs low for those from out of state, often through tuition reciprocity agreements. However, the following 20 colleges offer some of the lowest tuition and fees to out-of-state students without special agreements. The list includes several historically Black colleges and universities, and the two most affordable schools for out-of-state students are in North Carolina. The list excludes U.S. service academies, which provide free tuition in exchange for a military obligation following graduation, and colleges in Puerto Rico, which tend to charge a lower amount than schools on the U.S. mainland.
20. Dakota State University (SD)
Out-of-state tuition and fees (2025-2026): $13,130
U.S. News rank: 61 (tie), Regional Universities (Midwest)
Undergraduate enrollment (fall 2024): 2,071
Learn more about Dakota State University.
19. Northern State University (SD)
Out-of-state tuition and fees (2025-2026): $12,287
U.S. News rank: 61 (tie), Regional Universities (Midwest)
Undergraduate enrollment (fall 2024): 1,273
Learn more about Northern State University.
18. Midwestern State University (TX)
Out-of-state tuition and fees (2025-2026): $11,900
U.S. News rank: 77 (tie), Regional Universities (West)
Undergraduate enrollment (fall 2024): 4,087
Learn more about Midwestern State University.
17. West Texas A&M University
Out-of-state tuition and fees (2025-2026): $11,376
U.S. News rank: 50 (tie), Regional Universities (West)
Undergraduate enrollment (fall 2024): 6,723
Learn more about West Texas A&M University.
16. Fayetteville State University (NC)
Out-of-state tuition and fees (2025-2026): $10,778
U.S. News rank: 52 (tie), Regional Universities (South)
Undergraduate enrollment (fall 2024): 5,762
Learn more about Fayetteville State University.
15. Southern University and A&M College (LA)
Out-of-state tuition and fees (2025-2026): $10,479
U.S. News rank: 395-434, National Universities
Undergraduate enrollment (fall 2024): 6,126
Learn more about Southern University and A&M College.
14. Washburn University (KS)
Out-of-state tuition and fees (2025-2026): $10,256
U.S. News rank: 74 (tie), Regional Universities (Midwest)
Undergraduate enrollment (fall 2024): 4,562
Learn more about Washburn University.
13. Southeast Missouri State University
Out-of-state tuition and fees (2025-2026): $10,194
U.S. News rank: 68 (tie), Regional Universities (Midwest)
Undergraduate enrollment (fall 2024): 6,373
Learn more about Southeast Missouri State University.
12. Dickinson State University (ND)
Out-of-state tuition and fees (2025-2026): $9,418
U.S. News rank: 41, Regional Colleges (Midwest)
Undergraduate enrollment (fall 2024): 1,090
Learn more about Dickinson State University.
11. Nicholls State University (LA)
Out-of-state tuition and fees (2025-2026): $9,242
U.S. News rank: 64 (tie), Regional Universities (South)
Undergraduate enrollment (fall 2024): 4,740
Learn more about Nicholls State University.
10. Minot State University (ND)
Out-of-state tuition and fees (2025-2026): $9,192
U.S. News rank: 112 (tie), Regional Universities (Midwest)
Undergraduate enrollment (fall 2024): 2,062
Learn more about Minot State University.
9. Northwestern Oklahoma State University
Out-of-state tuition and fees (2025-2026): $8,813
U.S. News rank: 81 (tie), Regional Universities (West)
Undergraduate enrollment (fall 2024): 1,482
Learn more about Northwestern Oklahoma State University.
8. Alcorn State University (MS)
Out-of-state tuition and fees (2025-2026): $8,785
U.S. News rank: 45 (tie), Regional Universities (South)
Undergraduate enrollment (fall 2024): 2,363
Learn more about Alcorn State University.
7. Mississippi University for Women
Out-of-state tuition and fees (2025-2026): $8,747
U.S. News rank: 33 (tie), Regional Universities (South)
Undergraduate enrollment (fall 2024): 1,605
>Learn more about Mississippi University for Women.
6. Western Carolina University (NC)
Out-of-state tuition and fees (2025-2026): $8,685
U.S. News rank: 257 (tie), National Universities
Undergraduate enrollment (fall 2024): 9,985
Learn more about Western Carolina University.
5. Oklahoma Panhandle State University
Out-of-state tuition and fees (2025-2026): $8,636
U.S. News rank: 27 (tie), Regional Colleges (West)
Undergraduate enrollment (fall 2024): N/A
Learn more about Oklahoma Panhandle State University.
4. Delta State University (MS)
Out-of-state tuition and fees (2025-2026): $8,605
U.S. News rank: 50 (tie), Regional Universities (South)
Undergraduate enrollment (fall 2024): 1,620
Learn more about Delta State University.
3. California State University, Fresno
Out-of-state tuition and fees (2025-2026): $8,224
U.S. News rank: 183 (tie), National Universities
Undergraduate enrollment (fall 2024): 21,540
Learn more about California State University, Fresno.
2. Elizabeth City State University (NC)
Out-of-state tuition and fees (2025-2026): $8,036
U.S. News rank: 9 (tie), Regional Colleges (South)
Undergraduate enrollment (fall 2024): 1,978
Learn more about Elizabeth City State University.
1. University of North Carolina at Pembroke
Out-of-state tuition and fees (2025-2026): $7,611
U.S. News rank: 33 (tie), Regional Universities (South)
Undergraduate enrollment (fall 2024): 5,330
Learn more about University of North Carolina at Pembroke.
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Public colleges with less-expensive out-of-state tuition and fees
— University of North Carolina at Pembroke: $7,611
— Elizabeth City State University (NC): $8,036
— California State University, Fresno: $8,224
— Delta State University (MS): $8,605
— Oklahoma Panhandle State University: $8,636
— Western Carolina University (NC): $8,685
— Mississippi University for Women: $8,747
— Alcorn State University (MS): $8,785
— Northwestern Oklahoma State University: $8,813
— Minot State University (ND): $9,192
— Nicholls State University (LA): $9,242
— Dickinson State University (ND): $9,418
— Southeast Missouri State University: $10,194
— Washburn University (KS): $10,256
— Southern University and A&M College (LA): $10,479
— Fayetteville State University (NC): $10,778
— West Texas A&M University: $11,376
— Midwestern State University (TX): $11,900
— Northern State University (SD): $12,287
— Dakota State University (SD): $13,130
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20 Colleges With Affordable Out-of-State Tuition originally appeared on usnews.com
Update 11/10/25: This story was published at an earlier date and has been updated with new information.
