The Most Affordable Four-Year College in Each State
From the mid-1990s to 2024, tuition and fees increased by more than 100% at public four-year institutions and almost doubled at private four-year institutions.
However, tuition has dipped slightly at both public and private colleges in the last few school years — possibly in response to widespread concerns about the cost of higher education. That’s good news for prospective students, but college tuition remains pricey.
Because affordability is one of the most important things you may be looking for in a college, we’ve compiled a list of the most economical four-year schools in each state.
Cheapest Four-Year College in Each State
How We Chose These Schools
This college ranking list focuses on public colleges and private nonprofit colleges. Affordability is determined based on the average yearly net price for undergrads at each college. This net price is based on total student costs after scholarships and select other financial awards, and it includes fees, books, materials, room and board, etc. Net price is an alternative ranking factor to the official in-state tuition value.
This ranking is from 2024. Learn more about how our formula works on our ranking methodology page.
Reality Check: What Is Considered Affordable for College?
To determine if your college is affordable, the National College Attainment Network says to subtract the sum of your total college expenses plus $300 for emergencies from the sum of your financial aid, wages, and expected family contribution. Your college is affordable if your answer is zero or a positive number. You can use the following equation:
Financial Aid + Wages + Expected Family Contribution Tuition + Fees + $300 Emergency Fund
How to Afford College: How Do Most People Pay for College?
According to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), 80% of bachelor’s degree students receive some level of financial support from their families, with 21% of parents contributing more than $10,000 to their child’s education. Scholarships and grants also help students cover tuition.
Education lender Sallie Mae reports that around 51% of all American students receive federal grants, increasing to 88% for historically Black colleges or universities (HBCUs) enrollees. Around 40% of full-time students and 80% of part-time learners also work for income.
7 Tips for Making College More Affordable
Besides completing the U.S. Department of Education’s Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), you can employ the following strategies to reduce your out-of-pocket costs for college.
1. Apply early for financial aid.
For priority consideration, the cut-off date for submitting the FAFSA is June 30. Don’t miss that deadline. Find out the deadlines for other scholarships and grants you want to apply for and try to beat those target dates.
You may discover that some donors have an early action deadline that can move you to the head of the line for aid consideration.
2. Attend an in-state public university.
In general, in-state public universities are much cheaper than private colleges. NCES reports that for the 2022-2023 school year, the average undergraduate student at a four-year, in-state public university paid $27,146 while their counterpart at a private university spent $58,628 — more than twice as much.
3. Start out at a community college.
Community colleges are even more affordable than public universities. NCES reports that in 2022-2023, the average community college charged $3,598 in tuition and required fees, while in-state, four-year schools charged $9,750.
Some community colleges are 100% tuition-free for qualifying students and programs.
4. Search for state-sponsored grants and scholarships.
Many students know about federal grants, loans, and military benefits, but you may not have heard that many states also offer need-based grants and merit-based scholarships.
Talk to your high school counselor or the financial aid office at your college of interest about how your state can help you pay for higher education.
5. Consider nontraditional ways to earn college credit.
You can shorten your time to graduation and save money through prior learning assessment (PLA). If you earned advanced placement credits from high school, undertook military service, or enrolled in employer training programs, you can submit your experience for credit evaluation.
CLEP and DSST can also qualify for PLA.
6. Steer clear of for-profit colleges.
For-profit colleges are owned by large corporations that invest heavily in massive marketing campaigns, so you might feel tempted to enroll in one of these schools. However, for-profit institutions frequently have abysmal student success rates and charge far higher prices than most traditional colleges and universities.
Stick with nonprofit schools that can help you get to and through college efficiently and affordably.
7. Attend college online.
Attending college online can save you a bundle on fees, housing, and transportation costs while allowing you to work — and earn money — at the same time. Many public universities offer in-state tuition rates to out-of-state students learning online, and private colleges may charge more affordable fees for online learners.
Is Online College Cheaper?
Median Annual Tuition and Fees for a Bachelor’s Degree Program
$7,926
Online
$12,250
Traditional, In-Person
Yes, online college can be cheaper than traditional, in-person programs. According to NCES, tuition and fees for online bachelor’s degree programs are, on average, around $4,500 less per year than in-person degree programs.
The financial benefits of online college extend beyond the price tag. You can live at home instead of on campus, saving you money on groceries and rent. You can also maintain a job more easily, earning the cash you need to pay your expenses.
Ways online college can save you money:
- Tuition Reduction
- Live at Home
- No Commuting
- Work While Going to School
Caveat: Online college is not automatically cheaper than in-person learning because college costs are derived from many other factors, including a school’s reputation, funding sources, endowments, and student services.
Public vs. Private Colleges: Which Is More Affordable?
Public colleges almost always charge lower tuition per credit than private institutions, but cheaper fees don’t necessarily mean you are saving money. Private colleges typically grant more generous financial aid packages than public schools. That’s why it’s essential to evaluate your choices carefully using more metrics than just the sticker price.
| Factor | Public (4-Year) | Private Nonprofit (4-Year) |
|---|---|---|
| Average Tuition Cost for Traditional, On-Campus Programs | $10,248 | $33,099 |
| Average Tuition Cost for Online Programs | $8,009 | $16,667 |
| Average Aid Awarded (Grants and Scholarships) | $9,600 | $28,600 |
Frequently Asked Questions About Affordable Colleges
What does in-state tuition mean in college?
Strictly speaking, “in-state tuition” means the cost per credit that schools charge students who are legal residents of the state where the college is located. For example, it’s what Florida residents pay to attend Florida colleges.
Some schools offer in-state tuition to students who live in counties adjoining their state, enrollees who have grandparents living in their state, or online learners who live in other states. Private colleges rarely, if ever, offer in-state and out-of-state tuition; instead, they charge all students the same price regardless of residence.
Is going to an in-state or out-of-state college better?
The best college for you depends on many factors, including reputation, alumni network, majors, faculty, student services, and price — not just location. That said, in-state colleges typically charge lower tuition, maintain large regional alumni groups, and offer extensive opportunities to apply for nearby internships or jobs.
Out-of-state colleges offer other benefits, though, such as special academic programs, enlarged perspectives on the world, and personal growth opportunities. You might prefer an out-of-state college committed to your particular interests, worldview, or faith. It all depends on what you want from higher education.
Are student loans public or private?
Student loans can be public or private. Public student loans are issued by the U.S. government and often come with generous repayment plans, low fixed interest rates, and even subsidies to cover loan repayment while you’re still in school.
Banks, credit unions, and other financial institutions offer private student loans. The federal government does not subsidize these loans, which typically come with high interest rates. Public service student loan forgiveness programs do not apply to private loans.
Are state colleges cheaper than universities?
State colleges are often cheaper than universities, but don’t assume that it’s universally true that you can save money by attending a school with the word “college” instead of “university” in its name.
State-sponsored community colleges and technical schools are almost always cheaper than liberal arts colleges or universities. However, public four-year colleges and universities often charge similar tuition rates within the same system.