10 Online Colleges With the Cheapest Out-of-State Tuition 2025

The most affordable online colleges for out-of-state students are schools that offer in-state tuition to all learners or provide low rates for non-residents.

Paying out-of-state tuition is one of the most challenging aspects of attending a college as a non-resident. Public universities often charge out-of-state students higher tuition rates because they don't pay taxes to support these institutions.

Are you interested in attending an online college but worry about out-of-state tuition costs? You'll be happy to know many schools make distance learning affordable for non-residents.

Below, we'll highlight some of the nation's cheapest online colleges for out-of-state learners. We'll also share tips for making higher education more affordable.

Top Online Colleges With Low Tuition for Out-of-State Students

Online learning is a fantastic option for students seeking alternatives to in-person classes. If you're looking for affordable out-of-state tuition options, explore the list below to find some of the top online schools offering low tuition for non-residents.

1. University of Arkansas

The University of Arkansas offers online bachelor's, master's, doctoral, and certificate programs in business administration, community college leadership, homeland security, and more. The school's online bachelor's degrees and online master's programs in engineering, education, and nursing have earned high marks from U.S. News & World Report.

Out-of-state students pay the same low online tuition as in-state students. Per-credit rates are $263.18 for online undergraduates and $446.29 for graduate students.

2. Louisiana State University

Students interested in affordable online doctoral, master's, bachelor's, and associate degrees can find great programs at Louisiana State University. The public school doesn't charge out-of-state fees so all learners pay the same rates, which vary based on program.

For example, an online bachelor's degree in accounting costs $325 per credit hour and an online master's degree in nonprofit management costs $374. LSU grants credits for prior learning and offers pay-as-you-go plans to reduce financial burdens.

3. Southern New Hampshire University

Southern New Hampshire University students can choose from over 200 online undergraduate and graduate degrees. Areas of study include biology, organizational leadership, computer science, cybersecurity, special education, creative writing, and information technology.

In-state and out-of-state students pay $330 per credit hour for undergraduate degrees and $637 for graduate degrees. SNHU charges no application fees and accepts up to 90 transfer credits to increase affordability.

4. Texas Tech University

At Texas Tech University, students enrolled exclusively online who reside outside of Texas are charged a rate comparable to in-state tuition, which is $415 to $500 per credit hour for undergraduate programs. The public college offers over 100 degree, certificate, and certificate preparation programs for students interested in online education.

Undergraduate and graduate areas of study include anthropology, renewable energy, dance studies, engineering, and personal financial planning. TTU offers library, writing, career, and tutoring services to help online learners excel.

5. University of Massachusetts Global

All University of Massachusetts Global students pay the same tuition rates whether they reside in Massachusetts or another state. Associate and bachelor's programs typically cost $500 per credit and graduate programs cost about $730 per credit.

Most of UMass Global's MyPath self-paced learning programs cost $3,300 to $3,800 for 12 weeks of undergraduate and graduate study. Online attendees can pursue degrees in legal studies, psychology, special education, social work, organizational leadership, and more.

6. University of Phoenix

The University of Phoenix offers the Tuition Guarantee, which ensures learners pay one flat rate from enrollment to graduation. In-state and out-of-state students are charged $398 per credit hour for undergraduate programs and $698 per credit for master's degrees.

The private college accepts transfer credits and offers scholarships and employer discounts to help students save. Enrollees can choose from online degree programs in criminal justice, information technology, education, business, and healthcare.

7. Liberty University

Liberty University offers over 700 online programs for students seeking associate, bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees in Christian counseling, aviation, divinity, psychology, and beyond. Online writing center access, academic advising, library services, and other resources help distance learners excel.

The university charges all undergraduate learners $390 per credit hour for full-time study and $455 for part-time learning. Graduate students pay $565 and $615 per credit hour, respectively. These rates have remained the same for years.

8. New Mexico State University Global Campus

The New Mexico State University Global Campus offers affordable rates for all online students, regardless of residency. Undergraduates pay $395.40 per credit hour, and graduate students pay a rate of $444.40.

Enrollees can choose from over 70 accredited bachelor's, master's, graduate certificate, and doctoral programs. Areas of interest include criminal justice, healthcare, education, agriculture, and engineering. NM State Global Campus offers tutoring and library access to support online learners.

9. University of Maryland Global Campus

At the University of Maryland Global Campus, students can choose from over 135 online undergraduate and graduate degrees. Areas of study include cybersecurity, public safety, healthcare, education, computer science, and management.

Out-of-state students attending online pay a different tuition rate than in-state students; however, both are affordable. Maryland residents pay $324 per credit hour for undergraduate study while non-residents pay $499 per credit. Out-of-state graduate students pay $659 per credit compared to $534 per credit hour for in-state learners.

10. University of West Florida

The University of West Florida offers special tuition discounts for non-Florida residents taking online courses. Graduate students receive a 90% out-of-state tuition waiver and undergraduates get a 75% waiver reducing costs to $478.83 and $341.67 per credit hour, respectively.

UWF offers online bachelor's and master's degrees in social work, nursing education, computer science, educational leadership, and beyond. Tutoring, academic coaching, writing help, and library access enhance the online learning experience.

Our Selection Criteria

Our team used a thorough vetting process to pick the colleges and universities in the rank list above. Each institution has met the following criteria for delivering high-quality education:

Accredited: The schools have been accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, New England Commission of Higher Education, WASC Senior College and University Commission, and Middle States Commission on Higher Education, guaranteeing recognized academic standards.
Reputable: We confirmed that the institutions in this list are respected, considering factors such as student outcomes, graduation rates, and acceptance rates.
Affordable: The colleges and universities above increase affordability by providing lower tuition rates, scholarships, or other discounts.

How To Choose an Out-of-State College With Low Tuition Rates

Picking an affordable out-of-state college starts with looking for colleges and universities that don't charge ''out-of-state'' tuition rates or aim to reduce costs for non-residents through tuition discounts or scholarships. Of course, schools should also be accredited and offer your chosen major or minor/specialization at the right degree level.

Once you're ready to apply, confirm your enrollment eligibility by checking admission requirements (i.e., high school or college GPA, test scores, etc.). Then you can submit your applications for college admission. Don't forget to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to qualify for grants, student loans, and other tuition assistance.

Tips To Make College More Affordable

Selecting schools with lower tuition rates helps keep college costs low. You can also pick institutions that offer college credits for prior learning (e.g., CLEP or AP exams, work experience, or IT certifications) or allow students to test out of classes.

Learners can also lower college costs with financial aid. According to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), 85.6% of full-time, first-time students received financial aid in the 2022-23 academic year. Looking for more ways to save? Review the list below to explore additional options for reducing school expenses:

Is Online College Worth It?

Yes, online college is worth your time and financial investment. Distance learning programs deliver flexible online classes with coursework that allows busy college students to have access from anywhere with an internet connection. Reputable online schools offer numerous programs at all educational levels and deliver accredited online college degrees that lead to top careers.

Pros and Cons of Low-Cost Out-of-State Tuition

College brings many ups and downs � even for students attending schools with low-cost out-of-state tuition. Review some of the pros and cons of enrolling at a school that offers reduced rates for non-residents.

Pros of low-cost out-of-state tuition:

Affordability: Taking advantage of low out-of-state tuition reduces the total cost of earning a degree.
Access to more programs: Out-of-state learning opens doors to a broader selection of programs.
Expanded career options: Students who pursue degrees out-of-state can expand their networking opportunities and career prospects.

Cons of low-cost out-of-state tuition:

Attending school out-of-state: Pursuing a college education in another state can leave students feeling isolated from friends and family, particularly when enrolled as on-campus students.
Rates not low enough: Though some schools reduce tuition rates for non-residents, they might not be as affordable as in-state tuition in their state of residence.
Scholarship limitations: Out-of-state students can't always access top scholarships and discounts reserved for in-state learners.

Explore Online Degrees With Accreditation Today

Begin your journey toward a rewarding career in your chosen field by exploring the degree programs on Learn.org. Contact one of these institutions today to learn how their programs can help you reach your career goals.