Medium-Sized Colleges With Biggest In-State Discount | The Classroom Explore state by state cost analysis of US colleges in an interactive article

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Medium-Sized Colleges With Biggest In-State Discount

College rankings on TheClassroom.com use recent data about four-year colleges from publicly available sources using transparent methodology. This is a ranking of colleges by in-state discount in descending order. Only colleges that are medium are included. See if your school is in the ranking!

As you look for the right college or university, cost is an important factor. In contrast to private colleges, public institutions provide a price discount for state residents. This cost differential honors the commitment that states have made to supplement the cost of higher education with state tax dollars. Consider the program that most interests you and the opportunities to pursue this discipline at a public institution. The reward is an excellent education at an affordable price.

Here are 20 colleges you might want to consider applying to this year.

University of Virginia, Main Campus

Serving as the flagship post-secondary institution of Virginia, the University of Virginia, Main Campus is located in Charlottesville. Founded by Thomas Jefferson in 1819, the University of Virginia has more than 24,000 students enrolled in the undergraduate and graduate levels. In 2018, the cost of attending this public institution is $34,432 for new entering first year students that are residents of Virginia. Non-residents pay almost double the price at $65,218 per year. Incoming Cavaliers that live in Virginia must fill out a form and provide documents like a motor vehicle registration or income tax statement to prove residency.

University of California, Riverside

More than 23,000 students attend the University of California, Riverside. This comprehensive research institution is located in Southern California and boasts more than 80 undergraduate degree options. This campus has a generous footprint of 1, 900 acres and is known for innovative strategies in biological pest control for citrus crops. Operating on a three quarter per year system, the cost of tuition for California residents is $15,602 in 2018. Non-residents must pay $44,590 per year for full-time enrollment. Student residents need a statement of legal residence demonstrating that they have lived in California for one year or more.

University of California, Santa Cruz

Located in the hills above Monterey Bay, the University of California, Santa Cruz was founded in 1965. Just 650 students enrolled during the first year and now the institution is home to more than 18,000. Students have their choice of 65 majors and 41 graduate programs at the University of California, Santa Cruz. The University tried to change the mascot from the banana slug to the sea lion, but the students held firm in their love for the slug. In-state tuition for California residents is $13,962 per year, while out-of-state students pay $28,992.

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

One of the oldest institutions in the country, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is the only University that conferred degrees in the 18th century. The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill was founded in 1789 and began classes in 1795. More than 29,000 attend the university today. The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill offers 70 undergraduate majors. This 729 acre campus is home to the second largest research institution in North Carolina. In 2018, tuition for North Carolina residents is $8,910 per year. Non-residents pay almost triple this amount, $34,938.

University of Vermont

A picturesque campus, the University of Vermont is located in Burlington, Vermont next to Lake Champlain. More than 10,000 undergraduate students attend the fifth oldest post-secondary institution in New England. The University of Vermont was founded in 1791 and is represented by the green and gold Catamount. Hands-on experience is an integral part of academic programs at the University of Vermont. Ninety-two percent of seniors are involved in experiential learning like an internship, practicum or research project. In 2018, the cost of attendance for Vermont residents is $9,138. Non-residents pay $21,258 for tuition and fees.

University of Oregon

The University of Oregon has more than 24,000 students that have the opportunity to pursue 77 different academic majors. Fifty-one percent of the student population is from Oregon. The institution is the only university that has Donald Duck as their mascot. Located in Eugene, Oregon, the University of Oregon was founded in 1876 as the flagship institution of the state. The University of Oregon has more than 300 academic fields of study available to students. Oregon residents paid $11,571 for the 2017 to 2018 school year. Non-residents were charged $34,611 for the same time period.

George Mason University

Named after one of the nation’s founding fathers, George Mason University has three individual campuses in Fairfax and Prince William Counties, Virginia and Songdo, Korea. More than 65 undergraduate majors offer students the opportunity to study education, engineering, government, health and well-being, business, social and human behavior and language and culture. The institution is also home to a prominent law school. In-state tuition for Virginia residents is $377.50 per credit hour. Out of state tuition for non-residents is $1,355.00 per credit hour.

University of Connecticut

Commonly referred to as UConn, the University of Connecticut is in Storrs, Connecticut. The school began in 1881 as an agricultural school, and now the institution has four regional campuses. This public research institution is one of the few in the country that is designated as a land-grant, sea-grant and space-grant university. Thirty thousand students are proud fans of the UConn Huskies. The estimated cost of attendance for residents of Connecticut is $12,848 in 2018. Non-residents must pay $35,216 for the same time period.

University of Hawaii at Manoa

Located in the beautiful Manoa Valley on the island of O’ahu, the University of Hawaii at Manoa was founded in 1907. The first of the 10 University of Hawaii campuses to open, it is designated as a land-grant, sea-grant and space-grant institution. This research institution has a strong emphasis on tropical agriculture, tropical medicine, astronomy, Hawaiian studies, Pacific Islands studies and volcanology. More than 17,500 students study on this 320 acre campus. Two-thirds of the student population are Hawaiian residents. In-state tuition is $11,088 for the 2018-19 academic year. Non-residents are charged $33,120 for the same time period.

Clemson University

Clemson University opened its doors in 1893 and welcomed 446 students in their inaugural class. Located in Clemson, South Carolina, Clemson now has 18,599 students pursuing more than 80 different academic majors. The Clemson campus encompasses 1,400 acres and an additional 17,500 acre forest that serves as a research and educational laboratory. South Carolina residents paid $15,116 for undergraduate tuition during the 2017-18 academic year. Non-residents were charged $36,058 for undergraduate tuition.

Georgia Institute of Technology, Main Campus

More than 25,000 students attend Georgia Institute of Technology, Main Campus, located in Atlanta, Georgia. A public research institution founded in 1885, women were admitted to Georgia Institute of Technology in 1952 and African American students began attending, without a court order, in 1961. The institution began with a single degree in mechanical engineering and now has 31 different academic departments. Georgia residents paid $10,008 for the 2018 to 2019 academic year and non-residents were charged $30,604 for the same time period.

Indiana University-Purdue University-Indianapolis

An Urban public research institution, Indiana University-Purdue University-Indianapolis is a city-based campus with a 534 acre footprint. More than 29,000 students attend the institution and have the opportunity to pursue 350 different academic majors and programs. Resident tuition for IUPUI was $9,464, in 2018, compared to $29,820 for non-residents. If you are a resident of Illinois, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Wisconsin or Ohio, you can take advantage of the Midwest Student Exchange Program to reduce the expense of out-of-state tuition costs by more than $15,000.

University of Delaware

The University of Delaware was established in 1743. Among the oldest post-secondary institutions in the U.S., this public research university have satellite campuses in Dover, Wilmington, Lewes and Georgetown. The main campus is in Newark. The University of Delaware sits on 2,012 acres and is home to the first research center focused on the study of disasters in the United States. Residents of Delaware paid $12,250 for a full year of tuition in 2018 and non-residents paid a total of $32,880.

Miami University

Miami University is a public institution with a large campus encompassing 2,138 acres. Located in Ohio, just 35 miles from Cincinnati, Miami University has a liberal arts education emphasis. The institution has 17,147 undergraduate students and 2,305 graduate students enrolled. Founded in 1809, Miami University-Oxford is named after the Native American Tribe called the Miami Tribe. Together, the institution and the tribe share land and a dedication to promote higher education. Residents of Ohio paid $11,673 for a full year of tuition in 2018 and non-residents paid 18,580 for the same time period.

University of Utah

The University of Utah is a public research institution in Salt Lake City, Utah. The flagship university of the state, the institution was established in 1850 and was originally named the University of the Desert. In addition to the main campus, the University of Utah has a campus in Songdo, Incheon, South Korea. The oldest institution in the state, the University of Utah has more than 100 undergraduate programs and is home to the first medical school in the state. Focused on sustainability practices, 31 percent of the energy needed to run the institution comes from solar and wind sources. In-state tuition for one year is $8,382 and out-of-state tuition is $26,298.

Florida Gulf Coast University

Florida Gulf Coast University is located in Fort Meyers, Florida and was founded in 1991, but classes were first held in 1997. Just shy of 15,000 students, almost half of the students are from southwest Florida. There are 14,821 students that pursue undergraduate, graduate and doctoral programs at the institution. Florida residents pay $203.94 per credit and non-residents pay $838.73 per credit. If you have been enrolled since 2007, the per credit rate is $167.56. Florida Gulf Coast University is home to the Soar in Four program. This program refunds the cost of tuition for the first year of college if a student graduates in four years.

Oregon State University

Oregon State University, home to the Fighting Beavers, is located in Corvallis, Oregon. Founded in 1868, this institution is one of two sea-grant, land-grant, space-grant and sun-grant institutions in the country. More than 20,000 students from 50 states and 80 countries study on this 500 acre campus. Unique programs among the 200 majors offered include robotics, forestry, oceanography and Mycology. Oregon State University welcomes top performing students to the institution. The average grade point average of new, entering students is 3.46. Tuition for Oregon residents for the 2018-19 academic year is $11,211. Non-residents can expect to pay $30,141.

The University of Texas at Dallas

The University of Texas at Dallas is home to more than 27,000 undergraduate and graduate students. Located just north of Dallas in Richardson, Texas, the institution was founded in 1969. Students can pursue one of 140 different academic programs, but top majors include computer science, arts and technology, biology, mechanical engineering, accounting and neuroscience. In-state tuition is $6,517 per semester and non-resident tuition is $18,438. You can cut costs with a guaranteed tuition rate plan that locks in tuition costs for students that are enrolled for 12 consecutive semesters.

Old Dominion University

Old Dominion University is located in Norfolk, Virginia, with satellite campuses at Peninsula Center, ODU Virginia Beach Center and ODU Tri-Cities Center. Founded in 1934, Old Dominion has more than 24,000 students enrolled at the graduate and undergraduate levels. This 335 acre campus is also home to 763 International students representing 134 countries. Students can choose from more than 91 undergraduate degrees, 41 Master’s programs and 22 doctoral degrees. One hundred of these programs are also available online. In-state tuition for Virginia residents is $352 per credit hour, and non-residents pay $982 per credit.

Middle Tennessee State University

Founded in 1911, Middle Tennessee State University began as a teachers college. Situated on more than 1,000 acres, the main campus has 515 acres and 137 buildings. The remaining acreage encompasses an agricultural center, aerospace facility and horse science center. Noted programs include concrete industry management, horse science, aerospace, management and even recording industry. More than 26,000 students pursue 73 undergraduate, 43 graduate and 22 doctoral programs at the institution. In-state tuition for Tennessee residents is $9,090 for the 2018-19 academic year and $27,942 for non-residents.

Medium-Sized Colleges With Biggest In-State Discount — Complete List

128 colleges ranked.

RankCollegeIn-State DiscountOut-of-State TuitionIn-State Tuition# Students
1 University of Virginia-Main Campus Charlottesville, VA $37,709$59,512$21,80317,597
2 University of California-Santa Cruz Santa Cruz, CA $34,200$50,205$16,00517,940
3 University of Vermont Burlington, VT $26,444$45,502$19,05811,743
4 College of Charleston Charleston, SC $25,318$38,296$12,97810,558
5 Montana State University Bozeman, MT $24,827$33,287$8,46014,451
6 University of Delaware Newark, DE $24,590$41,400$16,81019,071
7 Indiana University-Indianapolis Indianapolis, IN $24,129$34,891$10,76213,830
8 Miami University-Oxford Oxford, OH $23,060$41,221$18,16116,656
9 University of New Mexico-Main Campus Albuquerque, NM $22,920$33,060$10,14017,244
10 University of Connecticut Storrs, CT $22,668$43,712$21,04419,835
11 Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus Atlanta, GA $22,426$34,484$12,05818,785
12 University of Massachusetts-Boston Boston, MA $22,217$38,125$15,90811,512
13 University of Hawaii at Manoa Honolulu, HI $22,032$34,218$12,18615,029
14 Stony Brook University Stony Brook, NY $21,810$32,741$10,93118,101
15 Middle Tennessee State University Murfreesboro, TN $21,308$31,574$10,26616,301
16 Old Dominion University Norfolk, VA $21,030$33,780$12,75017,514
17 University of New Hampshire-Main Campus Durham, NH $20,650$39,852$19,20211,261
18 University at Albany Albany, NY $20,390$31,256$10,86612,564
19 University of Rhode Island Kingston, RI $20,204$37,146$16,94213,381
20 Binghamton University Vestal, NY $19,880$30,447$10,56714,655
21 Metropolitan State University of Denver Denver, CO $19,560$30,684$11,12415,002
22 Portland State University Portland, OR $19,395$31,074$11,67913,182
23 University of Massachusetts-Lowell Lowell, MA $19,298$36,264$16,96611,434
24 Western Washington University Bellingham, WA $19,125$28,707$9,58213,544
25 Florida Gulf Coast University Fort Myers, FL $19,044$25,162$6,11813,874
26 University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus Denver, CO $19,008$29,391$10,38310,519
27 Boise State University Boise, ID $18,740$27,788$9,04817,674
28 Ball State University Muncie, IN $18,548$29,630$11,08213,988
29 West Virginia University Morgantown, WV $18,504$28,608$10,10417,385
30 University of Nebraska-Lincoln Lincoln, NE $18,150$28,584$10,43419,178
31 University of Nevada-Reno Reno, NV $18,142$27,720$9,57815,599
32 Towson University Towson, MD $18,092$29,820$11,72816,136
33 University of Maryland-Baltimore County Baltimore, MD $18,019$31,275$13,25610,701
34 Coastal Carolina University Conway, SC $17,988$29,628$11,64010,377
35 Appalachian State University Boone, NC $17,633$25,212$7,57919,444
36 Mississippi State University Mississippi State, MS $17,435$27,637$10,20218,397
37 Kansas State University Manhattan, KS $17,347$28,568$11,22115,142
38 New Mexico State University-Main Campus Las Cruces, NM $17,124$25,307$8,18311,946
39 University of North Carolina Wilmington Wilmington, NC $16,875$24,152$7,27714,922
40 Wayne State University Detroit, MI $16,847$32,037$15,19015,587
41 University of North Carolina at Greensboro Greensboro, NC $16,351$24,012$7,66114,062
42 University of Louisville Louisville, KY $16,346$29,482$13,13614,727
43 East Carolina University Greenville, NC $16,277$23,638$7,36119,896
44 Western Kentucky University Bowling Green, KY $15,348$27,000$11,65212,155
45 University of Nebraska at Omaha Omaha, NE $14,488$23,206$8,71811,488
46 University of North Florida Jacksonville, FL $14,404$20,793$6,38913,359
47 North Carolina A & T State University Greensboro, NC $13,860$20,673$6,81312,182
48 University of Louisiana at Lafayette Lafayette, LA $13,728$24,146$10,41812,428
49 University of Alabama at Birmingham Birmingham, AL $13,464$22,562$9,09811,635
50 California State University-Chico Chico, CA $12,600$21,072$8,47213,631
50 California State University-Dominguez Hills Carson, CA $12,600$20,049$7,44912,538
50 California State University-Los Angeles Los Angeles, CA $12,600$19,760$7,16019,562
50 California State University-San Bernardino San Bernardino, CA $12,600$20,693$8,09315,023
50 California State University-San Marcos San Marcos, CA $12,600$20,682$8,08214,877
50 Front Range Community College Westminster, CO $12,600$17,263$4,66311,476
50 San Francisco State University San Francisco, CA $12,600$20,550$7,95018,639
57 Illinois State University Normal, IL $12,066$28,210$16,14419,057
58 University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Milwaukee, WI $12,000$22,398$10,39816,758
59 West Chester University of Pennsylvania West Chester, PA $11,824$22,599$10,77514,164
60 Cypress College Cypress, CA $11,229$12,379$1,15013,354
61 University of North Georgia Dahlonega, GA $11,218$16,503$5,28516,146
62 De Anza College Cupertino, CA $11,025$12,596$1,57115,264
62 Foothill College Los Altos Hills, CA $11,025$12,590$1,56511,137
64 Weber State University Ogden, UT $10,988$17,545$6,55716,360
65 Eastern Kentucky University Richmond, KY $10,910$21,230$10,32012,318
66 University of Central Oklahoma Edmond, OK $10,886$19,704$8,81810,170
67 Ohio University-Main Campus Athens, OH $10,680$24,838$14,15819,633
68 Cerritos College Norwalk, CA $10,640$12,004$1,36418,870
69 Rowan University Glassboro, NJ $10,358$26,932$16,57415,841
70 Wichita State University Wichita, KS $10,185$19,869$9,68410,780
71 Montclair State University Montclair, NJ $10,110$26,022$15,91218,376
72 Bakersfield College Bakersfield, CA $9,870$11,300$1,43017,280
73 Kent State University at Kent Kent, OH $9,850$23,082$13,23219,320
74 Sam Houston State University Huntsville, TX $9,840$19,068$9,22817,743
74 Tarleton State University Stephenville, TX $9,840$18,142$8,30212,673
74 University of Houston-Downtown Houston, TX $9,840$17,548$7,70812,555
77 College of the Canyons Santa Clarita, CA $9,792$10,958$1,16615,832
78 Florida SouthWestern State College Fort Myers, FL $9,578$12,979$3,40111,052
79 Minnesota State University-Mankato Mankato, MN $9,370$18,942$9,57211,703
80 Los Angeles Valley College Valley Glen, CA $9,334$10,572$1,23812,601
81 Georgia Gwinnett College Lawrenceville, GA $9,312$13,844$4,53211,344
82 Missouri State University-Springfield Springfield, MO $9,268$18,770$9,50213,313
83 Daytona State College Daytona Beach, FL $8,888$11,994$3,10610,176
84 San Diego City College San Diego, CA $8,856$10,002$1,14610,441
84 San Diego Mesa College San Diego, CA $8,856$10,002$1,14616,098
84 San Diego Miramar College San Diego, CA $8,856$10,002$1,14611,271
87 MiraCosta College Oceanside, CA $8,592$9,750$1,15810,278
88 Rio Hondo College Whittier, CA $8,496$9,884$1,38815,684
89 Antelope Valley Community College District Lancaster, CA $8,424$9,548$1,12411,534
90 Seminole State College of Florida Sanford, FL $8,325$11,447$3,12212,864
91 Moorpark College Moorpark, CA $8,189$9,615$1,42612,082
92 Kean University Union, NJ $8,147$22,446$14,29911,433
93 The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga Chattanooga, TN $8,064$18,512$10,44810,074
94 Bowling Green State University-Main Campus Bowling Green, OH $7,988$22,448$14,46012,812
95 Modesto Junior College Modesto, CA $7,982$9,264$1,28215,109
96 CUNY Bernard M Baruch College New York, NY $7,950$15,414$7,46416,154
96 CUNY Brooklyn College Brooklyn, NY $7,950$15,402$7,45210,543
96 CUNY City College New York, NY $7,950$15,290$7,34012,505
96 CUNY Hunter College New York, NY $7,950$15,332$7,38216,289
96 CUNY John Jay College of Criminal Justice New York, NY $7,950$15,420$7,47011,590
96 CUNY Lehman College Bronx, NY $7,950$15,360$7,41010,696
96 CUNY New York City College of Technology Brooklyn, NY $7,950$15,282$7,33213,580
96 CUNY Queens College Queens, NY $7,950$15,488$7,53812,550
104 Oakland University Rochester Hills, MI $7,926$23,188$15,26212,351
105 Indian River State College Fort Pierce, FL $7,437$10,201$2,76411,822
106 Eastern Florida State College Melbourne, FL $7,243$9,739$2,49610,490
107 Florida State College at Jacksonville Jacksonville, FL $7,114$9,992$2,87819,648
108 Delaware Technical Community College-Terry Dover, DE $6,863$12,308$5,44510,867
109 Santa Fe College Gainesville, FL $6,626$9,189$2,56311,122
110 St Petersburg College St. Petersburg, FL $6,604$9,286$2,68218,950
111 Glendale Community College Glendale, AZ $6,600$8,958$2,35811,975
111 Mesa Community College Mesa, AZ $6,600$8,958$2,35814,460
111 Rio Salado College Tempe, AZ $6,600$8,958$2,35811,668
114 Northwest Vista College San Antonio, TX $6,540$9,952$3,41213,993
114 San Antonio College San Antonio, TX $6,540$9,952$3,41216,416
114 St Philip's College San Antonio, TX $6,540$9,952$3,41212,914
117 Grand Valley State University Allendale, MI $6,408$21,548$15,14018,854
118 Tallahassee State College Tallahassee, FL $6,036$8,062$2,02611,053
119 Columbus State Community College Columbus, OH $5,736$11,224$5,48817,549
120 Sinclair Community College Dayton, OH $4,881$8,556$3,67513,308
121 University of Memphis Memphis, TN $4,656$15,384$10,72812,701
122 East Tennessee State University Johnson City, TN $4,050$14,522$10,47210,004
123 Cuyahoga Community College District Cleveland, OH $4,000$7,249$3,24913,382
123 Western Carolina University Cullowhee, NC $4,000$8,630$4,63010,024
125 Western Michigan University Kalamazoo, MI $3,782$19,034$15,25212,568
126 Saint Louis Community College Bridgeton, MO $3,330$6,990$3,66011,788
127 South Texas College McAllen, TX $2,700$7,620$4,92015,856
128 University of Southern Mississippi Hattiesburg, MS $2,000$11,998$9,99810,075

College rankings use publicly available data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard and the IPEDS surveys (admissions, fall-enrollment residence & migration, and institutional characteristics). Editorial descriptions are illustrative. Figures reflect the most recent reporting year.

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