The Student’s Guide to In-State vs. Out-of-State Tuition

College cost is a top concern for many prospective students, and whether you enroll in- or out-of-state can have an outsized impact on tuition.

In-state tuition tends to be cheaper at public colleges and universities — the logic being that these students and families likely contributed to the institution’s finances through taxes as state residents. Charging other students out-of-state tuition also allows the university to increase its revenues.

Private, nonprofit and for-profit institutions typically don’t charge different tuition rates for in- or out-of-state students.

In-state tuition is typically significantly cheaper than out-of-state tuition at public, four-year universities in the U.S. That difference, however, can vary wildly from state to state.

In 2024-25, the average in-state tuition and fees were $11,610, according to a College Board analysis.

Residency requirements may also vary by state. In most states, a prospective student must maintain legal residence in a state for at least 12 months before the start of the academic term to qualify for in-state tuition.

Dependent students — most college students under the age of 24 — must have a parent or legal guardian who has been a resident in the state for 12 months to qualify.

Institutions may require you to submit a residency declaration form to prove your residency.

It’s also possible to reclassify your residency after you have already enrolled. Universities may offer a pathway allowing you to begin paying in-state tuition if you meet the residency requirement and prove that you plan to live in the new state permanently and aren’t just changing your residency for tuition purposes.

Tuition and fees for out-of-state students are nearly triple the rate in-state students must pay, on average.

According to the College Board, the average tuition and fees for out-of-state students were $30,780 during the 2024-25 academic year. That’s a steep increase from the $11,610 in-state tuition and fees for public colleges and universities, but cheaper than the $43,350 average tuition and fees to attend a private, nonprofit university.

Still, out-of-state rates may be worthwhile for some students and families.

If you live in a state with few public university options, you may have to look outside of your state to enroll in your desired field of study, or you may chase the appeal of a more prestigious out-of-state university. Additionally, a generous institutional financial aid offer that offsets higher tuition may draw you to that school.

Also, some states have regional exchange programs that allow students from nearby states to qualify for in-state tuition or a lower out-of-state tuition.

Four-year public institutions in South Dakota ($12,740) and North Dakota ($14,790) boast the least expensive out-of-state tuition and fee rates, on average, in the country, according to the College Board. They are also the two states with the least difference between their in-state to out-of-state rates for tuition and fees.

Institutions in Michigan ($42,280) and Vermont ($40,500), meanwhile, on average, tend to be the most expensive four-year public colleges and universities for out-of-state students.

Montana, Florida, and California had the most substantial price hikes from in-state to out-of-state tuition and fees. Overall, 10 states posted out-of-state tuition and fees more than triple the cost for in-state students.

If your heart is set on going to an out-of-state school, here are some ways to make that education more affordable.

Financial aid can help offset the cost of steep out-of-state tuition.

Many grants and scholarships are so-called “last-dollar” financial aid awards. They only cover up to the total cost of tuition and fees. You can stack many scholarships and grants to help cover the increased cost of an out-of-state education.

You should complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to better understand what aid you qualify for.

Geographically close states often create reciprocity agreements. Participating schools promise to charge in-state tuition to students who reside in a partner state.

The Midwest Student Exchange Program, for example, includes over 70 institutions that charge no more than 150% of their in-state tuition to students from Indiana, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, and Wisconsin.

The Western Undergraduate Exchange allows out-of-state students to pay no more than 150% of the in-state tuition rate. Participating states include Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawai’i, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming.

Not all universities charge out-of-state students significantly more than in-state students.

These price differences are typically set on a case-by-case basis. While some institutions may lower out-of-state costs to stay competitive for applicants, you’ll have to check each institution’s cost of attendance individually.