The Most Affordable College in Every State
The cost to attend college is increasing by the year. According to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCED), the prices for undergraduate tuition, fees, room and board at public institutions rose 28% between the 2008-09 and 2018-19 academic years. And at private nonprofit institutions, the increase was 19%. These increases are after adjusting for inflation.
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However, with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, prices decreased, according to Forbes. Between academic years 2019-20 to 2021-22, average tuition, fees and room and board fell by 0.2% at private nonprofit four-year schools. Additionally, between 2020-21 to 2021-22, prices fell another 1.7%. Public four-year schools had a similar pattern in these same years.
Of course, a modest decrease at private nonprofit institutions isn’t enough. Most students attend either public universities or private for-profits, and that has people looking for affordable options. After all, the average cost of in-state tuition at four-year institutions is $26,027 per year, according to Education Data Initiative.
To help combat rising costs, GOBankingRates found the most affordable college in every state by analyzing colleges within each state across a variety of factors, including in-state tuition and fees, as well as room and board.
Alabama
Most Affordable Institution: Stillman College
2022-2023 Cost of In-State Tuition & Fees: $11,392
2022-2023 Cost of Room + Board: $8,881
2022-2023 Cost of In-State Tuition and Room + Board: $20,273
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Alaska
Most Affordable Institution: Alaska Pacific University
2022-2023 Cost of In-State Tuition & Fees: $20,760
2022-2023 Cost of Room + Board: $8,300
2022-2023 Cost of In-State Tuition and Room + Board: $29,060
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Arizona
Most Affordable Institution: Northern Arizona University
2022-2023 Cost of In-State Tuition & Fees: $12,654
2022-2023 Cost of Room + Board: $13,908
2022-2023 Cost of In-State Tuition and Room + Board: $26,562
Arkansas
Most Affordable Institution: Henderson State University
2022-2023 Cost of In-State Tuition & Fees: $7,560
2022-2023 Cost of Room + Board: $9,558
2022-2023 Cost of In-State Tuition and Room + Board: $17,118
California
Most Affordable Institution: California State University at Fresno
2022-2023 Cost of In-State Tuition & Fees: $6,974
2022-2023 Cost of Room + Board: $11,634
2022-2023 Cost of In-State Tuition and Room + Board: $18,608
Colorado
Most Affordable Institution: Colorado Mountain College
2022-2023 Cost of In-State Tuition & Fees: $4,980
2022-2023 Cost of Room + Board: $11,320
2022-2023 Cost of In-State Tuition and Room + Board: $16,300
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Connecticut
Most Affordable Institution: Eastern Connecticut State University
2022-2023 Cost of In-State Tuition & Fees: $13,292
2022-2023 Cost of Room + Board: $15,608
2022-2023 Cost of In-State Tuition and Room + Board: $28,900
Delaware
Most Affordable Institution: Delaware State University
2022-2023 Cost of In-State Tuition & Fees: $8,358
2022-2023 Cost of Room + Board: $14,108
2022-2023 Cost of In-State Tuition and Room + Board: $22,466
District of Columbia
Most Affordable Institution: University of the District of Columbia
2022-2023 Cost of In-State Tuition & Fees: $9,140
2022-2023 Cost of Room + Board: $15,387
2022-2023 Cost of In-State Tuition and Room + Board: $24,527
Florida
Most Affordable Institution: Chipola College
2022-2023 Cost of In-State Tuition & Fees: $3,120
2022-2023 Cost of Room + Board: $4,560
2022-2023 Cost of In-State Tuition and Room + Board: $7,680
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Georgia
Most Affordable Institution: South Georgia State College
2022-2023 Cost of In-State Tuition & Fees: $2,970
2022-2023 Cost of Room + Board: $9,238
2022-2023 Cost of In-State Tuition and Room + Board: $12,208
Hawaii
Most Affordable Institution: University of Hawaii at Hilo
2022-2023 Cost of In-State Tuition & Fees: $7,838
2022-2023 Cost of Room + Board: $8,248
2022-2023 Cost of In-State Tuition and Room + Board: $16,086
Idaho
Most Affordable Institution: Boise State University
2022-2023 Cost of In-State Tuition & Fees: $8,782
2022-2023 Cost of Room + Board: $16,610
2022-2023 Cost of In-State Tuition and Room + Board: $25,392
Illinois
Most Affordable Institution: Northern Illinois University
2022-2023 Cost of In-State Tuition & Fees: $12,504
2022-2023 Cost of Room + Board: $12,800
2022-2023 Cost of In-State Tuition and Room + Board: $25,304
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Indiana
Most Affordable Institution: Purdue University — Northwest
2022-2023 Cost of In-State Tuition & Fees: $9,299
2022-2023 Cost of Room + Board: $9,097
2022-2023 Cost of In-State Tuition and Room + Board: $18,396
Iowa
Most Affordable Institution: University of Northern Iowa
2022-2023 Cost of In-State Tuition & Fees: $9,728
2022-2023 Cost of Room + Board: $9,648
2022-2023 Cost of In-State Tuition and Room + Board: $19,376
Kansas
Most Affordable Institution: Emporia State University
2022-2023 Cost of In-State Tuition & Fees: $7,346
2022-2023 Cost of Room + Board: $9,902
2022-2023 Cost of In-State Tuition and Room + Board: $17,248
Kentucky
Most Affordable Institution: Kentucky State University
2022-2023 Cost of In-State Tuition & Fees: $9,214
2022-2023 Cost of Room + Board: $8,186
2022-2023 Cost of In-State Tuition and Room + Board: $17,400
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Louisiana
Most Affordable Institution: Louisiana State University at Shreveport
2022-2023 Cost of In-State Tuition & Fees: $7,519
2022-2023 Cost of Room + Board: $10,226
2022-2023 Cost of In-State Tuition and Room + Board: $17,745
Maine
Most Affordable Institution: University of Maine at Fort Kent
2022-2023 Cost of In-State Tuition & Fees: $9,045
2022-2023 Cost of Room + Board: $9,565
2022-2023 Cost of In-State Tuition and Room + Board: $18,610
Maryland
Most Affordable Institution: Coppin State University
2022-2023 Cost of In-State Tuition & Fees: $7,001
2022-2023 Cost of Room + Board: $11,875
2022-2023 Cost of In-State Tuition and Room + Board: $18,876
Massachusetts
Most Affordable Institution: Fitchburg State University
2022-2023 Cost of In-State Tuition & Fees: $10,921
2022-2023 Cost of Room + Board: $14,134
2022-2023 Cost of In-State Tuition and Room + Board: $25,055
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Michigan
Most Affordable Institution: Lake Superior State University
2022-2023 Cost of In-State Tuition & Fees: $13,840
2022-2023 Cost of Room + Board: $11,016
2022-2023 Cost of In-State Tuition and Room + Board: $24,856
Minnesota
Most Affordable Institution: Saint Cloud State University
2022-2023 Cost of In-State Tuition & Fees: $8,812
2022-2023 Cost of Room + Board: $8,498
2022-2023 Cost of In-State Tuition and Room + Board: $17,310
Mississippi
Most Affordable Institution: Mississippi Valley State University
2022-2023 Cost of In-State Tuition & Fees: $7,334
2022-2023 Cost of Room + Board: $8,825
2022-2023 Cost of In-State Tuition and Room + Board: $16,159
Missouri
Most Affordable Institution: Harris-Stowe State University
2022-2023 Cost of In-State Tuition & Fees: $6,058
2022-2023 Cost of Room + Board: $9,691
2022-2023 Cost of In-State Tuition and Room + Board: $15,749
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Montana
Most Affordable Institution: University of Montana Western
2022-2023 Cost of In-State Tuition & Fees: $6,431
2022-2023 Cost of Room + Board: $9,464
2022-2023 Cost of In-State Tuition and Room + Board: $15,895
Nebraska
Most Affordable Institution: Wayne State College
2022-2023 Cost of In-State Tuition & Fees: $7,923
2022-2023 Cost of Room + Board: $8,880
2022-2023 Cost of In-State Tuition and Room + Board: $16,803
Nevada
Most Affordable Institution: College of Southern Nevada
2022-2023 Cost of In-State Tuition & Fees: $3,968
2022-2023 Cost of Room + Board: $10,866
2022-2023 Cost of In-State Tuition and Room + Board: $14,834
New Hampshire
Most Affordable Institution: Plymouth State University
2022-2023 Cost of In-State Tuition & Fees: $14,558
2022-2023 Cost of Room + Board: $12,104
2022-2023 Cost of In-State Tuition and Room + Board: $26,662
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New Jersey
Most Affordable Institution: Kean University
2022-2023 Cost of In-State Tuition & Fees: $13,426
2022-2023 Cost of Room + Board: $14,834
2022-2023 Cost of In-State Tuition and Room + Board: $28,260
New Mexico
Most Affordable Institution: New Mexico Highlands University
2022-2023 Cost of In-State Tuition & Fees: $7,140
2022-2023 Cost of Room + Board: $9,302
2022-2023 Cost of In-State Tuition and Room + Board: $16,442
New York
Most Affordable Institution: SUNY College of Technology at Delhi
2022-2023 Cost of In-State Tuition & Fees: $8,720
2022-2023 Cost of Room + Board: $14,040
2022-2023 Cost of In-State Tuition and Room + Board: $22,760
North Carolina
Most Affordable Institution: Fayetteville State University
2022-2023 Cost of In-State Tuition & Fees: $2,262
2022-2023 Cost of Room + Board: $8,615
2022-2023 Cost of In-State Tuition and Room + Board: $10,877
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North Dakota
Most Affordable Institution: Minot State University
2022-2023 Cost of In-State Tuition & Fees: $8,634
2022-2023 Cost of Room + Board: $8,058
2022-2023 Cost of In-State Tuition and Room + Board: $16,692
Ohio
Most Affordable Institution: Central State University
2022-2023 Cost of In-State Tuition & Fees: $7,830
2022-2023 Cost of Room + Board: $11,880
2022-2023 Cost of In-State Tuition and Room + Board: $19,710
Oklahoma
Most Affordable Institution: Oklahoma Panhandle State University
2022-2023 Cost of In-State Tuition & Fees: $8,426
2022-2023 Cost of Room + Board: $6,154
2022-2023 Cost of In-State Tuition and Room + Board: $14,580
Oregon
Most Affordable Institution: Eastern Oregon University
2022-2023 Cost of In-State Tuition & Fees: $10,196
2022-2023 Cost of Room + Board: $10,770
2022-2023 Cost of In-State Tuition and Room + Board: $20,966
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Pennsylvania
Most Affordable Institution: Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania
2022-2023 Cost of In-State Tuition & Fees: $13,644
2022-2023 Cost of Room + Board: $12,006
2022-2023 Cost of In-State Tuition and Room + Board: $25,650
Rhode Island
Most Affordable Institution: Rhode Island College
2022-2023 Cost of In-State Tuition & Fees: $10,986
2022-2023 Cost of Room + Board: $13,718
2022-2023 Cost of In-State Tuition and Room + Board: $24,704
South Carolina
Most Affordable Institution: University of South Carolina at Aiken
2022-2023 Cost of In-State Tuition & Fees: $10,760
2022-2023 Cost of Room + Board: $8,736
2022-2023 Cost of In-State Tuition and Room + Board: $19,496
South Dakota
Most Affordable Institution: Black Hills State University
2022-2023 Cost of In-State Tuition & Fees: $8,764
2022-2023 Cost of Room + Board: $7,302
2022-2023 Cost of In-State Tuition and Room + Board: $16,066
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Tennessee
Most Affordable Institution: University of Tennessee Southern
2022-2023 Cost of In-State Tuition & Fees: $10,200
2022-2023 Cost of Room + Board: $8,700
2022-2023 Cost of In-State Tuition and Room + Board: $18,900
Texas
Most Affordable Institution: Southern Texas College
2022-2023 Cost of In-State Tuition & Fees: $4,530
2022-2023 Cost of Room + Board: $6,745
2022-2023 Cost of In-State Tuition and Room + Board: $11,275
Utah
Most Affordable Institution: Snow College
2022-2023 Cost of In-State Tuition & Fees: $4,180
2022-2023 Cost of Room + Board: $5,050
2022-2023 Cost of In-State Tuition and Room + Board: $9,230
Vermont
Most Affordable Institution: University of Vermont
2022-2023 Cost of In-State Tuition & Fees: $18,890
2022-2023 Cost of Room + Board: $13,324
2022-2023 Cost of In-State Tuition and Room + Board: $32,214
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Virginia
Most Affordable Institution: Virginia State University
2022-2023 Cost of In-State Tuition & Fees: $9,755
2022-2023 Cost of Room + Board: $12,966
2022-2023 Cost of In-State Tuition and Room + Board: $22,721
Washington
Most Affordable Institution: North Seattle College
2022-2023 Cost of In-State Tuition & Fees: $5,058
2022-2023 Cost of Room + Board: $17,952
2022-2023 Cost of In-State Tuition and Room + Board: $23,010
West Virginia
Most Affordable Institution: West Liberty University
2022-2023 Cost of In-State Tuition & Fees: $3,958
2022-2023 Cost of Room + Board: $4,509
2022-2023 Cost of In-State Tuition and Room + Board: $8,467
Wisconsin
Most Affordable Institution: University of Wisconsin at Oshkosh
2022-2023 Cost of In-State Tuition & Fees: $7,795
2022-2023 Cost of Room + Board: $8,894
2022-2023 Cost of In-State Tuition and Room + Board: $16,689
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Wyoming
Most Affordable Institution: University of Wyoming
2022-2023 Cost of In-State Tuition & Fees: $6,938
2022-2023 Cost of Room + Board: $13,340
2022-2023 Cost of In-State Tuition and Room + Board: $20,278
Jordan Rosenfeld contributed to the reporting for this article.
Photo Disclaimer: Please note photos are for representational purposes only. As a result, some of the photos might not reflect the colleges listed in this article.
Methodology: To find the cheapest college in every state, GOBankingRates analyzed colleges within each state across a variety of factors, including in-state tuition and fees as well as room and board, allowing for the calculation of the total cost for one year at each institution. The cheapest institution with all data points was recorded. All data was collected and is up-to-date as-of Oct. 23, 2023.
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This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: The Most Affordable College in Every State
