[hen-ui-dynamic-experience placement=”aboveTheFold” /] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]From the mid-1990s to 2024, [hen-ui-link href=”https://research.collegeboard.org/trends/college-pricing/highlights/” target=”_blank”]tuition and fees increased by more than 100%[/hen-ui-link] at public four-year institutions and almost doubled at private four-year institutions.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]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.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Because affordability is [hen-ui-link href=”https://universitybusiness.com/college-affordability-still-a-major-concern-for-families/” target=”_blank”]one of the most important things[/hen-ui-link] you may be looking for in a college, we’ve compiled a list of the most economical four-year schools in each state.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-dynamic-experience placement=”editorialListings” /] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Cheapest Four-Year College in Each State[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-accordion variant=”no-background”] [hen-ui-accordion-item title=”How We Chose These Schools”] [hen-ui-text-stack gap=”sm”] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]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.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]This ranking is from 2024. Learn more about how our formula works on [hen-ui-link href=”/rankings/ranking-methodology/”]our ranking methodology page[/hen-ui-link].[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-text-stack] [/hen-ui-accordion-item] [/hen-ui-accordion] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]How to Afford College: How Do Most People Pay for College?[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]According to the [hen-ui-link href=”https://nces.ed.gov/datalab/” target=”_blank”]National Center for Education Statistics[/hen-ui-link] (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.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Education lender [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.salliemae.com/about/leading-research/how-america-pays-for-college/” target=”_blank”]Sallie Mae[/hen-ui-link] 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.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]7 Tips for Making College More Affordable[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Besides completing the U.S. Department of Education’s [hen-ui-link href=”https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa” target=”_blank”]Free Application for Federal Student Aid[/hen-ui-link] (FAFSA), you can employ the following strategies to reduce your out-of-pocket costs for college.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]1. Apply early for financial aid.[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]For priority consideration, the cut-off date for [hen-ui-link href=”https://thebestschools.org/resources/college-finances/online-college-financial-aid/”]submitting the FAFSA[/hen-ui-link] 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.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]You may discover that some donors have an early action deadline that can move you to the head of the line for aid consideration.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]2. Attend an in-state public university.[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]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 [hen-ui-link href=”https://nces.ed.gov/programs/digest/d23/tables/dt23_330.40.asp” target=”_blank”]four-year, in-state public university paid $27,146[/hen-ui-link] while their counterpart at a private university spent $58,628 — more than twice as much.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]3. Start out at a community college.[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-link href=”/rankings/best-community-colleges/”]Community colleges[/hen-ui-link] are even more affordable than public universities. [hen-ui-link href=”https://nces.ed.gov/programs/digest/d23/tables/dt23_330.20.asp” target=”_blank”]NCES reports[/hen-ui-link] 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.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Some community colleges are 100% tuition-free for qualifying students and programs.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]4. Search for state-sponsored grants and scholarships.[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]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 [hen-ui-link href=”/resources/college-finances/scholarships/”]merit-based scholarships[/hen-ui-link].[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]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.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]5. Consider nontraditional ways to earn college credit.[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]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.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-link href=”http://clep.collegeboard.org/?affiliateId=rdr&bannerId=clep” target=”_blank”]CLEP[/hen-ui-link] and [hen-ui-link href=”http://getcollegecredit.com/” target=”_blank”]DSST[/hen-ui-link] can also qualify for PLA.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]6. Steer clear of for-profit colleges.[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-link href=”/resources/for-profit-vs-non-profit-colleges/”]For-profit colleges[/hen-ui-link] 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.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Stick with nonprofit schools that can help you get to and through college efficiently and affordably.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]7. Attend college online.[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]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.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Is Online College Cheaper?[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]Median Annual Tuition and Fees for a Bachelor’s Degree Program[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-grid columns-lg=”2″ gap=”md”] [/hen-ui-grid] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Yes, online college can be cheaper than traditional, in-person programs. According to NCES, tuition and fees for [hen-ui-link href=”/rankings/bachelors/affordable/”]online bachelor’s degree programs[/hen-ui-link] are, on average, around $4,500 less per year than in-person degree programs.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]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.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-card variant=”background-gray” border=”stroke”] [hen-ui-card-content] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Ways online college can save you money: [/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-list variant=”unordered” bullet-style=”check”] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Tuition Reduction[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Live at Home[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]No Commuting[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Work While Going to School[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [/hen-ui-list] [/hen-ui-card-content] [/hen-ui-card] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Caveat: Online college is not automatically cheaper than in-person learning because [hen-ui-link href=”/resources/college-finances/paying-for-college/”]college costs[/hen-ui-link] are derived from many other factors, including a school’s reputation, funding sources, endowments, and student services.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Public vs. Private Colleges: Which Is More Affordable?[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]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.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-table] [hen-ui-table-caption]Public vs. Private College: Which Is More Affordable?[/hen-ui-table-caption] [hen-ui-table-header] [hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Factor[/hen-ui-table-head] [hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Public (4-Year)[/hen-ui-table-head] [hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Private Nonprofit (4-Year)[/hen-ui-table-head] [/hen-ui-table-row] [/hen-ui-table-header] [hen-ui-table-body] [hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Average Tuition Cost for Traditional, On-Campus Programs[/hen-ui-table-head] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Factor”]$10,248[/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Public (4-Year)”]$33,099[/hen-ui-table-cell] [/hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Average Tuition Cost for Online Programs[/hen-ui-table-head] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Factor”]$8,009[/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Public (4-Year)”]$16,667[/hen-ui-table-cell] [/hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Average Aid Awarded (Grants and Scholarships)[/hen-ui-table-head] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Factor”]$9,600[/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Public (4-Year)”]$28,600[/hen-ui-table-cell] [/hen-ui-table-row] [/hen-ui-table-body] [/hen-ui-table] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Frequently Asked Questions About Affordable Colleges[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-accordion variant=”no-background”] [hen-ui-accordion-item title=”What does in-state tuition mean in college?” expanded=”true”] [hen-ui-text-stack gap=”sm”] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]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.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]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.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-text-stack] [/hen-ui-accordion-item] [hen-ui-accordion-item title=”Is going to an in-state or out-of-state college better?”] [hen-ui-text-stack gap=”sm”] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]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.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-link href=”/resources/is-out-of-state-school-worth-it/#:~:text=In%202018%2C%20in%2Dstate%20tuition,%2468%2C000%20in%20tuition%20and%20fees.”]Out-of-state colleges[/hen-ui-link] 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.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-text-stack] [/hen-ui-accordion-item] [hen-ui-accordion-item title=”Are student loans public or private?”] [hen-ui-text-stack gap=”sm”] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-link href=”/resources/college-finances/about-student-loans/”]Student loans[/hen-ui-link] 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.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]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.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-text-stack] [/hen-ui-accordion-item] [hen-ui-accordion-item title=”Are state colleges cheaper than universities?”] [hen-ui-text-stack gap=”sm”] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]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.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]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.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-text-stack] [/hen-ui-accordion-item] [/hen-ui-accordion] [hen-ui-section-header title=”Discover More College Resources” /] [hen-ui-article-row variant=”2-col” ids=”970,905,1484″][/hen-ui-article-row]