Going to a state college in a different state can be one of the most expensive mistakes you can make. Your tuition costs will often be 200% to 300% higher even though you end up with the same degree. Make sure you fully consider the cost before making your final decision.
Overview
It makes no sense to pay tens of thousands of extra dollars to get a degree out of state if the same degree is available in your home state. Employers want to know that you have a degree from a recognized university. They don’t care if it was in Iowa, Wisconsin, or Minnesota. Even if you have no financial worries and your family can afford the extra tuition; stay in state for your undergraduate degree and use the money you save for something else such as a master’s degree.
The numbers
Take a quick look at the table below for two adjacent states (2023 – 2024 school year).
| Home state | State college | In-state tuition | Out-of-state tuition |
| Rhode Island | University of Rhode Island | $16,408 | $35,804 |
| Connecticut | University of Connecticut | $16,332 | $39,000 |
Table 1
As you can see in table 1, if a student from Rhode Island went to the University of Connecticut instead of the University of Rhode Island, they would pay more than twice as much for tuition ($39,000 vs $16,408).
If a student from Connecticut went to the University of Rhode Island instead of the University of Connecticut, they would also pay more than twice as much for tuition ($35,804 vs. $16,332).
Here is another example.
| Home state | State college | In-state tuition | Out-of-state tuition |
| Nevada | University of Nevada, Reno | $7,875 | $24,831 |
| Oregon | University of Oregon | $15,669 | $43,302 |
Table 2
As you can see in table 2, if a student from Nevada went to the University of Oregon instead of the University of Nevada, Reno, they would pay over 5 times as much for tuition ($43,302 vs. $7,875). Why would you pay 5 times more for tuition to get the same degree that you can get in your home state.
Why do students make this mistake?
There are several reasons students might go to another state to get their degree, including:
Get away from home – many students think they have to cross a state line to truly be away from home. Somehow, being in the same state as their high school doesn’t feel like leaving home. If you are thinking about the weather, then yes, leaving Maine to go to college in California is going to feel very different. However, if you are thinking about just getting away from the kids you went to high school with, then your local in-state college will probably be far enough. There are so many classes offered in college that even if a few dozen of your high school classmates go to the same place, you will probably see a lot less of them than you think. They are all going to be spread amongst a variety of different classes, so you are only going to see those that are taking the same degree as you.
Following friends – there are just as many people that pick a college so they can stay with their friends as there are those who pick one to get away. However, as pointed out in the last paragraph, unless you are doing the same degree, you may not see as much of your friends as you think. In addition, there is a chance that your friends will change majors, drop out of college, or transfer at some point. Don’t base your college choice on where your friends are going.
The campus looks nice – there is no doubt about it, there are some beautiful campuses out there and those colleges may have excellent academic programs. However, if your in-state college offers the same degree with the same standard of academic excellence, does it make sense to pay tens of thousands of extra dollars just so you can look at a pretty campus each day?
Should I only apply to my in-state college?
No. You can apply to any college you want.
It’s possible that your in-state college has restrictions on the number of merit scholarships it can give out, which might result in limited tuition discounts. However, there could be something about your background or abilities that is particularly appealing to a private college, and that might cause them to offer you a discount that makes their tuition price similar to your in-state college. I would always advise applying to a variety of colleges, but be strategic in your applications. Think carefully about what you can offer each college and what merit awards they might offer in return. Many colleges charge an application fee, so you want to make sure each application you send is targeted to a college that is likely to value your background and experience.
Don’t forget the other costs
Besides tuition fees, there are other expenses to consider when comparing in-state and out-of-state colleges. The big consideration for out-of-state schools is the cost of travel. If you are living on the east coast and looking at schools on the west coast, you need to consider how often you are going to want to go home and how much each trip will cost. There could also be the cost of storing or shipping your stuff between the end of one school year and the start of the next. Make sure you factor this into your calculations.
Conclusion
The final decision on which college to attend should be based on your ability to attend without taking on debt. As a general rule, in-state colleges are the most affordable option. However, you should also look at private colleges just in case they are willing to offer you a tuition rate that is comparable. As always, tuition price is not the only factor to consider. The college also needs to offer a good academic program. Do not let any college tempt you into overpaying.
Your thoughts
Leave a comment below with your thoughts on this topic. Are you a graduate that attended an out-of-state college? Did that decision cause you to take out student loans you could have avoided? Do you regret making that decision? Keep in mind that we are talking about costs and not whether or not the school you attended was a good school.
