How to Get In-State Tuition When You Live Out of State

Have you ever compared the tuition cost differences between in-state and out-of-state schools?

Did you gasp out loud when you saw out-of-state costs?

Yep, yep. It’s often thousands of dollars more expensive to go to an out-of-state university compared to an in-state university, and it’s because families don’t pay for these out-of-state institutions through their taxes, so their education costs are not subsidized and they receive higher costs.

It often makes students’ decisions easy. If your child’s comfortable with the idea of going to the flagship university in your state, he might think, “It’s cheaper, it’s close to home. Sign me right up.”

Should you migrate to your in-state university? Well, that depends! Don’t discount your neighboring states — and know a few things before you jump on the local state university bandwagon. Here’s what to know and how to get in-state tuition from out of state.

What is In-State Tuition?

In-state tuition refers to the lower cost of attending a public college or university for students who are residents of the state where the institution is located. This reduced rate is offered because public institutions receive state funding to help cover the cost of educating students who are from that state. To qualify, students usually need to meet specific residency requirements, such as living in the state for a certain period (typically 12 months) before enrollment, or having parents who are state residents.

In-state tuition is generally much more affordable than out-of-state tuition, which is the rate charged to students from outside the state. State governments subsidize In-state tuition, making it more affordable for residents.

What is Out-of-State Tuition? 

Out-of-state tuition refers to the higher cost that students pay to attend a public college or university in a state other than the state where they have legal residency. This fee structure applies to students who do not qualify as residents of the state where the institution is located.

Out-of-state residents are considered non-residents and do not qualify for in-state rates. Out-of-state tuition might be two to three times more than in-state rates. This is because non-resident students do not contribute to the state’s tax revenue, which helps subsidize public universities. Some states have agreements, or exchange programs, that offer reduced out-of-state tuition rates to students from neighboring states.

The average in-state cost of tuition and fees for public four-year schools was $11,260 versus $29,150 for out-of-staters in 2023 and 2024.

Many students try to qualify for in-state rates or seek financial aid and scholarships to mitigate the costs, which we’ll discuss below.

How to Get In-State Tuition if You Live Out of State

Getting in-state tuition while living out of state can significantly reduce college costs. Here are several strategies your child can consider for how to get in-state tuition out of state.

Establish Residency

Establishing residency is one of the most straightforward ways to get in-state tuition. Residency requirements vary by state and university. Living in the state for a certain amount of time is one common way to establish residency. 

• Move to the state early: Many states require students to live in the state for at least 12 months before establishing residency. Your child can prove residency with an apartment lease, utility bills or vehicle registration form, for example. 
• Prove financial independence: Your child can show financial independence to prove they don’t rely on out-of-state parents for support, which can involve having a full-time job, filing state taxes and paying rent or a mortgage in the new state. Your child may need to show employer proof as above or show proof that he pays taxes in that state.
• Driver’s license and voter registration: Encourage your child to obtain a state driver’s license, register their vehicle in the state and register to vote. They may also want to consider having other evidence to prove residency, such as utility bills in their name, employment records or state income tax returns.
• Be aware of rules: Residency requirements vary by state, so you’ll need to review specific policies at your child’s college. Also ensure your child will meet the residency requirements well before any deadlines, typically at least a year before they intend to start classes.

Tuition Reciprocity Programs

Some states have agreements that allow students from neighboring states to attend school at reduced tuition rates (not always full in-state tuition, but lower than out-of-state rates). Many universities offer regional markets and reciprocity agreements, meaning colleges or universities offer students in different states in-state or reduced tuition for students who live in the same region. 

Here are a few tuition reciprocity programs that might be open to your child, depending on where you live:

• Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE): WUE enables students from one of 16 Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education (WICHE) states and territories in the Western U.S. to enroll as nonresidents in 160+ participating public colleges and universities.
• Midwest Student Exchange Program (MSEP): Applies to several Midwest states, including Indiana, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, and Wisconsin.
• New England Board of Higher Education (NEHBE) Tuition Break: Tuition Break covers New England states, providing savings for residents of the following six states: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont, and for colleges that participate.
• Academic Common Market (ACM): For students in southern states pursuing programs not available in their home state, the ACM allows students in southern states to enroll in out-of-state public universities at in-state tuition rates if the program they are interested in is not offered by their home state. States include Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and others. Students must meet residency requirements in their home state and gain acceptance into the qualifying program at the partner institution.

Generally, the process involves checking your eligibility (such as state residency requirements and participating universities), majors eligible, GPA, application and other school requirements. Finally, you’ll apply directly to the school to let them know you’re applying using the tuition reciprocity program.

University-Specific Programs

Some universities offer their own discounted tuition or in-state tuition rates for out-of-state students with certain qualifications, such as meeting merit-based scholarship requirements, athletic scholarships or legacy programs (where alumni children qualify for in-state tuition).

Check into the options available to your child based on your own alumni status! It could be a huge relief to your family, though I will recognize that many students don’t prefer to attend where “mom and dad” went to school! (That’s another topic for a different day.)

Military Service

Many states offer in-state tuition rates to active-duty military members, veterans or their dependents, regardless of where they live. If you’re a military member, check into this.

Attend a Border State School

Some states offer what’s called border-state tuition for residents of neighboring states. For example, Minnesota and Wisconsin have a tuition reciprocity agreement, allowing residents to qualify for in-state rates at public universities across state lines.

Special Circumstances or Exceptions

Some states allow students to take advantage of waivers in certain situations or exceptions. For example, those who have immigrant or refugee status may take advantage of these options, and so might dependent children of state employees or those enrolled in specific majors that benefit your state. The best way to find out about these involves asking the schools your child may be interested in attending. Ask many questions!

Online Programs

Many schools offer online degree programs at in-state rates for all students, regardless of where they live. However, each school and state has specific residency requirements for tuition, so review them carefully. Also, ensure that this is the right option for your child — it’s not the right fit for everyone, particularly if you think your child would thrive at an in-person institution.

Institution-Specific Waivers

Certain colleges and universities might also provide tuition waivers or reduced rates based on specific requirements, such as academic merit. Schools might also have special agreements for students from particular counties or areas of your state.

Our college used to offer an out-of-state scholarship for students who attended an out-of-state college in an effort to boost our out-of-state numbers. Offers like that may be achievement-based or merit-based, depending on differing schools’ requirements. Your best bet is to ask questions if your student’s looking into an out-of-state institution. Email or call an admission counselor at that school for more information.

Undocumented Students

Some colleges and universities may offer in-state tuition to undocumented students. Check into institutions your child is considering if they accept DACA recipients or those in similar situations.

Of public two-year institutions:

• 26% of states offer in-state tuition to undocumented students
• 24% offer in-state tuition if the student meets statutory requirements
• 22% require undocumented students to pay out-of-state tuition
• 4% require undocumented students to pay international student rates 

In 11% of states, policies differ by institution, and another 11% of states have no statewide policy on tuition rates for undocumented students. Alabama does not allow undocumented student enrollment by state law.

Of public four-year institutions:

• 25% of states offer in-state tuition to undocumented students
• 27% offer in- state tuition if the student meets statutory requirements
• 25% require undocumented students to pay out-of-state tuition

In 10% of states, policies differ by institution, and 6% of states have no statewide policy on tuition rates. Arizona offers undocumented students regional tuition rates, Missouri requires undocumented students to pay international student rates. Alabama, again, does not allow students to enroll by state law.

Learn more: Do You Get Extra Financial Aid for Off-Campus Housing?

Dependent of Public Employees

Some states extend in-state tuition to dependents of state employees or public service workers, such as police officers or teachers, even if they don’t meet other residency criteria.

Native American and Tribal Agreements

Some states have agreements to offer in-state tuition to members of federally recognized Native American tribes, regardless of residency.

Are You Eligible for Reduced Rates?

There are several exceptions to standard in-state tuition rates that may allow students to qualify for reduced rates, even if they don’t meet the usual residency requirements. These exceptions 

Financial Benefits of Securing In-State Tuition

One of the best ways to look at an example of an apples-to-apples comparison. Let’s look at out-of-state tuition vs. in-state tuition rates for an education major at Texas A&M University. 

First, the out-of-state costs for an education major at Texas A&M University for one semester:

Category	Cost estimate
Room and board	$6,504
Books and supplies	$552
Travel	$1,938
Loan fees	$30
Personal expenses	$1,657
Total estimated cost of attendance with tuition and fees	$30,429

Now, compare that cost with in-state tuition for one semester: 

Category	Cost estimate
Room and board	$6,504
Books and supplies	$552
Travel	$1,066
Loan fees	$30
Personal expenses	$1,657
Total estimated cost of attendance with tuition and fees	$15,584.35

You can save a lot of money by attending college in state, so consider all your options. Your child should have excellent reasons for attending an out-of-state institution, particularly if they won’t get great scholarships to attend.

Consider All Your Options

Note: Out-of-state and in-state designations generally do not apply to private colleges, as their tuition rates are typically uniform for all students regardless of residency.

In fact, I always smiled when someone asked, “What’s the out-of-state cost at your school?” 

Why? Because I had great news for families. The cost wasn’t any different for out-of-state students because I worked at a liberal arts college. 

Liberal arts colleges and private universities charge the same price no matter where you’re from, and here’s why: Unlike public colleges and universities, private institutions don’t get funding from state governments. Therefore, private colleges and universities charge one tuition rate for all students, whether your child resides in the same state as the institution is located or not. 

For example, if a liberal arts college is in Florida but your child lives in Minnesota, you’ll pay the same price whether you live in Florida or Minnesota.   

Email or call an admission counselor at each college your student’s considering. it’ll make you feel more prepared to make some decisions about the college search, or it’ll at least give you a start in the right direction!

FAQs

Check out a few frequently asked questions that might still be on your mind.

Will FAFSA cover out of state tuition?

Out-of-state students pay higher tuition and fees than in-state students. It’s difficult to predict whether you’ll ultimately pay more. Note that most out-of-state students will have a gap between the cost of tuition and fees and the amount of aid they’ll receive, so ensure you make the right decisions for your family so you’re not swamped by federal student loans or private student loans.

How do people afford to go to college out of state?

If your child really wants to attend a particular college out of state, reach out to the financial aid office to learn more about the full costs. Merit or need-based aid may cover some of the costs. 

What are the cons of going to college out of state?

The largest disadvantage of attending an out-of-state college is that the costs are higher than in-state fees. However, some states offer discounts to students in several different ways, which we discuss in the article above.