Finding the Cheapest College in Every U.S. State: A Complete Breakdown

With higher education costs climbing faster than ever, finding the cheapest college has become essential for millions of students. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, public university tuition and fees surged 28% between 2008-09 and 2018-19—a significant jump even after adjusting for inflation. Private nonprofit institutions saw a slightly smaller but still substantial 19% increase during the same period. The average cost of in-state tuition at four-year institutions now stands at $26,027 per year, making affordability a critical concern for families nationwide.

The Real Cost of College: What You Need to Know

Understanding the full picture of college expenses goes beyond tuition. Room and board, combined with tuition and fees, create the true total cost of attendance. While the COVID-19 pandemic briefly eased price pressures—with modest declines of 0.2% to 1.7% between 2019-22—the long-term trend remains upward. Most students attend either public universities or private for-profit institutions, making the search for affordable options increasingly urgent. Students today need concrete data on the cheapest college alternatives in their states to make informed financial decisions.

State-by-State: The Cheapest College Options Ranked

To identify the most budget-friendly institutions across the nation, GOBankingRates analyzed colleges within each state across multiple cost factors, including in-state tuition, fees, and room and board expenses. The analysis, based on 2022-2023 data collected through October 2023, reveals significant regional variations in educational affordability.

Alabama - Stillman College leads with combined costs of $20,273 ($11,392 tuition + $8,881 room/board)

Alaska - Alaska Pacific University totals $29,060 ($20,760 tuition + $8,300 room/board)

Arizona - Northern Arizona University costs $26,562 ($12,654 tuition + $13,908 room/board)

Arkansas - Henderson State University offers $17,118 ($7,560 tuition + $9,558 room/board)

California - California State University at Fresno provides one of the nation’s cheapest college options at $18,608 ($6,974 tuition + $11,634 room/board)

Colorado - Colorado Mountain College stands out at just $16,300 ($4,980 tuition + $11,320 room/board)

Connecticut - Eastern Connecticut State University totals $28,900 ($13,292 tuition + $15,608 room/board)

Delaware - Delaware State University costs $22,466 ($8,358 tuition + $14,108 room/board)

District of Columbia - University of the District of Columbia totals $24,527 ($9,140 tuition + $15,387 room/board)

Florida - Chipola College emerges as one of America’s cheapest college options at just $7,680 ($3,120 tuition + $4,560 room/board)

Georgia - South Georgia State College offers exceptional affordability at $12,208 ($2,970 tuition + $9,238 room/board)

Hawaii - University of Hawaii at Hilo costs $16,086 ($7,838 tuition + $8,248 room/board)

Idaho - Boise State University totals $25,392 ($8,782 tuition + $16,610 room/board)

Illinois - Northern Illinois University costs $25,304 ($12,504 tuition + $12,800 room/board)

Indiana - Purdue University Northwest offers $18,396 ($9,299 tuition + $9,097 room/board)

Iowa - University of Northern Iowa costs $19,376 ($9,728 tuition + $9,648 room/board)

Kansas - Emporia State University totals $17,248 ($7,346 tuition + $9,902 room/board)

Kentucky - Kentucky State University costs $17,400 ($9,214 tuition + $8,186 room/board)

Louisiana - Louisiana State University at Shreveport totals $17,745 ($7,519 tuition + $10,226 room/board)

Maine - University of Maine at Fort Kent costs $18,610 ($9,045 tuition + $9,565 room/board)

Maryland - Coppin State University offers $18,876 ($7,001 tuition + $11,875 room/board)

Massachusetts - Fitchburg State University totals $25,055 ($10,921 tuition + $14,134 room/board)

Michigan - Lake Superior State University costs $24,856 ($13,840 tuition + $11,016 room/board)

Minnesota - Saint Cloud State University offers $17,310 ($8,812 tuition + $8,498 room/board)

Mississippi - Mississippi Valley State University totals $16,159 ($7,334 tuition + $8,825 room/board)

Missouri - Harris-Stowe State University costs $15,749 ($6,058 tuition + $9,691 room/board)

Montana - University of Montana Western offers $15,895 ($6,431 tuition + $9,464 room/board)

Nebraska - Wayne State College totals $16,803 ($7,923 tuition + $8,880 room/board)

Nevada - College of Southern Nevada provides $14,834 ($3,968 tuition + $10,866 room/board)

New Hampshire - Plymouth State University costs $26,662 ($14,558 tuition + $12,104 room/board)

New Jersey - Kean University totals $28,260 ($13,426 tuition + $14,834 room/board)

New Mexico - New Mexico Highlands University offers $16,442 ($7,140 tuition + $9,302 room/board)

New York - SUNY College of Technology at Delhi costs $22,760 ($8,720 tuition + $14,040 room/board)

North Carolina - Fayetteville State University stands among the cheapest college options at $10,877 ($2,262 tuition + $8,615 room/board)

North Dakota - Minot State University totals $16,692 ($8,634 tuition + $8,058 room/board)

Ohio - Central State University costs $19,710 ($7,830 tuition + $11,880 room/board)

Oklahoma - Oklahoma Panhandle State University offers $14,580 ($8,426 tuition + $6,154 room/board)

Oregon - Eastern Oregon University totals $20,966 ($10,196 tuition + $10,770 room/board)

Pennsylvania - Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania costs $25,650 ($13,644 tuition + $12,006 room/board)

Rhode Island - Rhode Island College offers $24,704 ($10,986 tuition + $13,718 room/board)

South Carolina - University of South Carolina at Aiken totals $19,496 ($10,760 tuition + $8,736 room/board)

South Dakota - Black Hills State University costs $16,066 ($8,764 tuition + $7,302 room/board)

Tennessee - University of Tennessee Southern offers $18,900 ($10,200 tuition + $8,700 room/board)

Texas - Southern Texas College provides $11,275 ($4,530 tuition + $6,745 room/board)

Utah - Snow College stands out with just $9,230 ($4,180 tuition + $5,050 room/board)

Vermont - University of Vermont totals $32,214 ($18,890 tuition + $13,324 room/board)

Virginia - Virginia State University costs $22,721 ($9,755 tuition + $12,966 room/board)

Washington - North Seattle College offers $23,010 ($5,058 tuition + $17,952 room/board)

West Virginia - West Liberty University provides one of the nation’s cheapest college options at $8,467 ($3,958 tuition + $4,509 room/board)

Wisconsin - University of Wisconsin at Oshkosh totals $16,689 ($7,795 tuition + $8,894 room/board)

Wyoming - University of Wyoming costs $20,278 ($6,938 tuition + $13,340 room/board)

Making Your Cheapest College Choice Count

Selecting the cheapest college isn’t just about immediate savings—it’s about long-term financial freedom. By choosing an affordable institution, students can substantially reduce student loan debt, preserve their earning potential for life goals, and avoid the crushing burden many graduates face. The data clearly shows that regional options exist at every price point, with some states offering surprisingly affordable alternatives that rival or beat the national average. Whether you’re drawn to institutions like Snow College in Utah ($9,230) or West Liberty University in West Virginia ($8,467), the cheapest college selection process rewards thorough research and strategic planning.