How to Pay In-State Tuition at an Out-of-State Public University

Going to a public university in another state usually means paying out-of-state tuition, which can be several times the rate for students who live there. But the listed out-of-state price isn’t always what you pay. There are four main ways to get the in-state rate, or something close to it.

1. Schools that offer in-state rates to certain states

A few universities offer their in-state rate to students from other states.

• University of South Dakota: New students from 11 nearby states pay the in-state rate of $9,916 instead of $13,616. The states are Colorado, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. Children of USD graduates qualify from any state.
• University of Alaska Fairbanks: It plans to charge every new student the in-state rate starting in fall 2027. That would cut tuition and fees from $30,450 to about $11,730. The plan still needs approval from University of Alaska regents in November 2026.

2. Deals between neighboring states

Some neighboring states agree to give each other’s residents a discount. These deals are called reciprocity agreements.

• Minnesota: The University of Minnesota has agreements with Wisconsin, North Dakota, and the Canadian province of Manitoba. Students from those places pay less than the regular out-of-state rate.
• North Dakota: Minnesota residents pay about $13,535 at the University of North Dakota, compared with $17,479 for other out-of-state students.

3. Scholarships that remove the out-of-state charge

At some schools, winning a scholarship can lower your tuition to the in-state rate.

• University of South Carolina: Out-of-state students with a qualifying university scholarship pay the in-state rate of $6,144 per semester instead of $19,050. That saves more than $25,000 a year.
• Texas public universities: Texas lets its public universities charge the in-state rate to out-of-state students who win competitive scholarships. At Texas A&M, you need at least $4,000 a year in qualifying scholarships, and the state limits how many students can get this deal.
• University of Arkansas: Its Non-Resident Tuition Award covers 50% to 90% of the difference between in-state and out-of-state tuition, depending on the award level.

4. Regional tuition exchanges

These programs let students from one region pay reduced tuition at public colleges in other states in the same region.

• Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE): Students from Western states pay no more than 150% of in-state tuition. Montana’s WUE rate is $13,774, compared with its regular out-of-state rate of $34,894. Idaho, Nevada, and Hawaii also offer big discounts.
• Midwest Student Exchange Program (MSEP): Students from eight Midwestern states pay no more than 150% of in-state tuition in selected programs.
• Academic Common Market: Students from 15 Southern states can pay in-state tuition if they want a major that no public college in their home state offers. At some schools, such as Georgia and Auburn, it only starts in junior year.
• New England Tuition Break: New England residents pay a reduced rate in approved majors. At UConn, that’s $30,592 instead of $44,242.

Key takeaways

• Check your home state first. Most of these deals depend on where you live, so start with programs that include your state.
• Read the fine print. Many programs have GPA minimums, limit which majors qualify, or require you to apply by a deadline.
• Get the rate in writing. Make sure your discounted tuition shows up in your financial aid offer, not just on a website.
• Compare total costs. A school with a low regular out-of-state price can still beat an exchange discount somewhere else. Our post on the cheapest out-of-state flagship universities lists the lowest regular rates.

For the full list of programs and links to each school’s rules, read CollegeIntel’s guide to public universities that charge out-of-state students in-state tuition. If cost is a big factor in your college search, check these options before you rule out a school in another state.