The Most Affordable College in Your 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 pandemic at the end of 2019, 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 nonprofits, and that has people looking for affordable options. After all, the average cost of tuition at four-year institutions for the 2018-19 academic year was $28,123.
As a note for this list, only four-year colleges were considered for this list. To help combat rising costs, GOBankingRates used NCED data to find the most affordable college in every state.
Alabama
Most Affordable Institution: Auburn University at Montgomery
2021-2022 Cost of In-State Tuition & Fees: $13,890
2021-2022 Cost of Room + Board: $7,368
2021-2022 Cost of In-State Tuition and Room + Board: $21,258
Alaska
Most Affordable Institution: University of Alaska Southeast
2021-2022 Cost of In-State Tuition & Fees: $10,808
2021-2022 Cost of Room + Board: $9,800
2021-2022 Cost of In-State Tuition and Room + Board: $20,608
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Arizona
Most Affordable Institution: Northern Arizona University
2021-2022 Cost of In-State Tuition & Fees: $17,516
2021-2022 Cost of Room + Board: $11,338
2021-2022 Cost of In-State Tuition and Room + Board: $28,854
Arkansas
Most Affordable Institution: University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff
2021-2022 Cost of In-State Tuition & Fees: $13,124
2021-2022 Cost of Room + Board: $8,624
2021-2022 Cost of In-State Tuition and Room + Board: $21,748
California
Most Affordable Institution: California State University-Monterey Bay
2021-2022 Cost of In-State Tuition & Fees: $10,573
2021-2022 Cost of Room + Board: $10,895
2021-2022 Cost of In-State Tuition and Room + Board: $21,468
Colorado
Most Affordable Institution: Adams State University
2021-2022 Cost of In-State Tuition & Fees: $14,630
2021-2022 Cost of Room + Board: $9,167
2021-2022 Cost of In-State Tuition and Room + Board: $23,797
Connecticut
Most Affordable Institution: Central Connecticut State University
2021-2022 Cost of In-State Tuition & Fees: $15,398
2021-2022 Cost of Room + Board: $12,174
2021-2022 Cost of In-State Tuition and Room + Board: $27,572
Delaware
Most Affordable Institution: Delaware State University
2021-2022 Cost of In-State Tuition & Fees: $12,808
2021-2022 Cost of Room + Board: $13,068
2021-2022 Cost of In-State Tuition and Room + Board: $25,876
District of Columbia
Most Affordable Institution: Trinity Washington University
2021-2022 Cost of In-State Tuition & Fees: $24,738
2021-2022 Cost of Room + Board: $14,800
2021-2022 Cost of In-State Tuition and Room + Board: $39,538
Florida
Most Affordable Institution: Florida Gulf Coast University
2021-2022 Cost of In-State Tuition & Fees: $10,718
2021-2022 Cost of Room + Board: $9,772
2021-2022 Cost of In-State Tuition and Room + Board: $20,490
Georgia
Most Affordable Institution: Dalton State College
2021-2022 Cost of In-State Tuition & Fees: $6,518
2021-2022 Cost of Room + Board: $8,720
2021-2022 Cost of In-State Tuition and Room + Board: $15,238
Hawaii
Most Affordable Institution: University of Hawaii at Hilo
2021-2022 Cost of In-State Tuition & Fees: $13,154
2021-2022 Cost of Room + Board: $8,248
2021-2022 Cost of In-State Tuition and Room + Board: $21,402
Idaho
Most Affordable Institution: Brigham Young University-Idaho
2021-2022 Cost of In-State Tuition & Fees: $8,428
2021-2022 Cost of Room + Board: $4,452
2021-2022 Cost of In-State Tuition and Room + Board: $12,880
Illinois
Most Affordable Institution: Governors State University
2021-2022 Cost of In-State Tuition & Fees: $14,108
2021-2022 Cost of Room + Board: $10,729
2021-2022 Cost of In-State Tuition and Room + Board: $24,837
Indiana
Most Affordable Institution: Indiana University-South Bend
2021-2022 Cost of In-State Tuition & Fees: $11,297
2021-2022 Cost of Room + Board: $9,996
2021-2022 Cost of In-State Tuition and Room + Board: $21,293
Iowa
Most Affordable Institution: University of Northern Iowa
2021-2022 Cost of In-State Tuition & Fees: $12,249
2021-2022 Cost of Room + Board: $9,160
2021-2022 Cost of In-State Tuition and Room + Board: $21,409
Kansas
Most Affordable Institution: Fort Hays State University
2021-2022 Cost of In-State Tuition & Fees: $10,950
2021-2022 Cost of Room + Board: $8,414
2021-2022 Cost of In-State Tuition and Room + Board: $19,364
Kentucky
Most Affordable Institution: Kentucky State University
2021-2022 Cost of In-State Tuition & Fees: $11,318
2021-2022 Cost of Room + Board: $6,690
2021-2022 Cost of In-State Tuition and Room + Board: $18,008
Louisiana
Most Affordable Institution: Louisiana State University-Alexandria
2021-2022 Cost of In-State Tuition & Fees: $11,437
2021-2022 Cost of Room + Board: $9,500
2021-2022 Cost of In-State Tuition and Room + Board: $20,937
Maine
Most Affordable Institution: University of Maine at Presque Isle
2021-2022 Cost of In-State Tuition & Fees: $11,895
2021-2022 Cost of Room + Board: $9,010
2021-2022 Cost of In-State Tuition and Room + Board: $20,905
Maryland
Most Affordable Institution: Coppin State University
2021-2022 Cost of In-State Tuition & Fees: $10,995
2021-2022 Cost of Room + Board: $11,141
2021-2022 Cost of In-State Tuition and Room + Board: $22,136
Massachusetts
Most Affordable Institution: Fitchburg State University
2021-2022 Cost of In-State Tuition & Fees: $14,130
2021-2022 Cost of Room + Board: $11,490
2021-2022 Cost of In-State Tuition and Room + Board: $25,620
Michigan
Most Affordable Institution: Saginaw Valley State University
2021-2022 Cost of In-State Tuition & Fees: $13,430
2021-2022 Cost of Room + Board: $11,106
2021-2022 Cost of In-State Tuition and Room + Board: $24,536
Minnesota
Most Affordable Institution: Saint Cloud State University
2021-2022 Cost of In-State Tuition & Fees: $12,970
2021-2022 Cost of Room + Board: $9,347
2021-2022 Cost of In-State Tuition and Room + Board: $22,317
Mississippi
Most Affordable Institution: Mississippi Valley State University
2021-2022 Cost of In-State Tuition & Fees: $13,148
2021-2022 Cost of Room + Board: $8,112
2021-2022 Cost of In-State Tuition and Room + Board: $21,260
Missouri
Most Affordable Institution: Missouri Southern State University
2021-2022 Cost of In-State Tuition & Fees: $11,605
2021-2022 Cost of Room + Board: $7,678
2021-2022 Cost of In-State Tuition and Room + Board: $19,283
Montana
Most Affordable Institution: Montana State University-Northern
2021-2022 Cost of In-State Tuition & Fees: $10,555
2021-2022 Cost of Room + Board: $6,470
2021-2022 Cost of In-State Tuition and Room + Board: $17,025
Nebraska
Most Affordable Institution: Peru State College
2021-2022 Cost of In-State Tuition & Fees: $10,380
2021-2022 Cost of Room + Board: $8,680
2021-2022 Cost of In-State Tuition and Room + Board: $19,060
Nevada
Most Affordable Institution: University of Nevada-Las Vegas
2021-2022 Cost of In-State Tuition & Fees: $14,903
2021-2022 Cost of Room + Board: $11,512
2021-2022 Cost of In-State Tuition and Room + Board: $26,415
New Hampshire
Most Affordable Institution: Plymouth State University
2021-2022 Cost of In-State Tuition & Fees: $18,224
2021-2022 Cost of Room + Board: $11,580
2021-2022 Cost of In-State Tuition and Room + Board: $29,804
New Jersey
Most Affordable Institution: Kean University
2021-2022 Cost of In-State Tuition & Fees: $15,876
2021-2022 Cost of Room + Board: $14,834
2021-2022 Cost of In-State Tuition and Room + Board: $30,710
New Mexico
Most Affordable Institution: Eastern New Mexico University-Main Campus
2021-2022 Cost of In-State Tuition & Fees: $12,096
2021-2022 Cost of Room + Board: $7,814
2021-2022 Cost of In-State Tuition and Room + Board: $19,910
New York
Most Affordable Institution: CUNY Hunter College
2021-2022 Cost of In-State Tuition & Fees: $14,509
2021-2022 Cost of Room + Board: $10,429
2021-2022 Cost of In-State Tuition and Room + Board: $24,938
North Carolina
Most Affordable Institution: Fayetteville State University
2021-2022 Cost of In-State Tuition & Fees: $8,186
2021-2022 Cost of Room + Board: $9,440
2021-2022 Cost of In-State Tuition and Room + Board: $17,626
North Dakota
Most Affordable Institution: Minot State University
2021-2022 Cost of In-State Tuition & Fees: $12,914
2021-2022 Cost of Room + Board: $6,892
2021-2022 Cost of In-State Tuition and Room + Board: $19,806
Ohio
Most Affordable Institution: Wright State University-Lake Campus
2021-2022 Cost of In-State Tuition & Fees: $11,538
2021-2022 Cost of Room + Board: $11,300
2021-2022 Cost of In-State Tuition and Room + Board: $22,838
Oklahoma
Most Affordable Institution: Cameron University
2021-2022 Cost of In-State Tuition & Fees: $10,765
2021-2022 Cost of Room + Board: $5,810
2021-2022 Cost of In-State Tuition and Room + Board: $16,575
Oregon
Most Affordable Institution: Eastern Oregon University
2021-2022 Cost of In-State Tuition & Fees: $14,214
2021-2022 Cost of Room + Board: $10,455
2021-2022 Cost of In-State Tuition and Room + Board: $24,669
Pennsylvania
Most Affordable Institution: Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania
2021-2022 Cost of In-State Tuition & Fees: $14,711
2021-2022 Cost of Room + Board: $10,268
2021-2022 Cost of In-State Tuition and Room + Board: $24,979
Rhode Island
Most Affordable Institution: Rhode Island College
2021-2022 Cost of In-State Tuition & Fees: $14,102
2021-2022 Cost of Room + Board: $13,162
2021-2022 Cost of In-State Tuition and Room + Board: $27,264
South Carolina
Most Affordable Institution: University of South Carolina-Aiken
2021-2022 Cost of In-State Tuition & Fees: $14,835
2021-2022 Cost of Room + Board: $8,202
2021-2022 Cost of In-State Tuition and Room + Board: $23,037
South Dakota
Most Affordable Institution: Black Hills State University
2021-2022 Cost of In-State Tuition & Fees: $14,700
2021-2022 Cost of Room + Board: $7,400
2021-2022 Cost of In-State Tuition and Room + Board: $22,100
Tennessee
Most Affordable Institution: The University of Tennessee-Martin
2021-2022 Cost of In-State Tuition & Fees: $15,582
2021-2022 Cost of Room + Board: $6,750
2021-2022 Cost of In-State Tuition and Room + Board: $22,332
Texas
Most Affordable Institution: University of Houston-Victoria
2021-2022 Cost of In-State Tuition & Fees: $12,257
2021-2022 Cost of Room + Board: $9,882
2021-2022 Cost of In-State Tuition and Room + Board: $22,139
Utah
Most Affordable Institution: Brigham Young University
2021-2022 Cost of In-State Tuition & Fees: $12,098
2021-2022 Cost of Room + Board: $8,048
2021-2022 Cost of In-State Tuition and Room + Board: $20,146
Vermont
Most Affordable Institution: Castleton University
2021-2022 Cost of In-State Tuition & Fees: $15,482
2021-2022 Cost of Room + Board: $12,042
2021-2022 Cost of In-State Tuition and Room + Board: $27,524
Virginia
Most Affordable Institution: Radford University
2021-2022 Cost of In-State Tuition & Fees: $15,852
2021-2022 Cost of Room + Board: $10,330
2021-2022 Cost of In-State Tuition and Room + Board: $26,182
Washington
Most Affordable Institution: Eastern Washington University
2021-2022 Cost of In-State Tuition & Fees: $11,996
2021-2022 Cost of Room + Board: $13,060
2021-2022 Cost of In-State Tuition and Room + Board: $25,056
West Virginia
Most Affordable Institution: Fairmont State University
2021-2022 Cost of In-State Tuition & Fees: $10,892
2021-2022 Cost of Room + Board: $10,022
2021-2022 Cost of In-State Tuition and Room + Board: $20,914
Wisconsin
Most Affordable Institution: University of Wisconsin-La Crosse
2021-2022 Cost of In-State Tuition & Fees: $11,343
2021-2022 Cost of Room + Board: $6,770
2021-2022 Cost of In-State Tuition and Room + Board: $18,113
Wyoming
Most Affordable Institution: University of Wyoming
2021-2022 Cost of In-State Tuition & Fees: $10,661
2021-2022 Cost of Room + Board: $11,144
2021-2022 Cost of In-State Tuition and Room + Board: $21,805
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Bob Haegele contributed to the reporting for this article.
Methodology: In order to discover the most affordable college in every state, GOBankingRates used the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) data for the 2021/22 academic year to source the most affordable institution in terms of (1) cost of in-state tuition and fees AND room and board for the 2021/22 academic year. GOBankingRates also sourced each institution's: (2) annual cost for on-campus room and board; and (3) total tuition price for in-state students. The institution from each state with the smallest total for factor (1) was selected as the most affordable from their respective state. No Community Colleges, tribal colleges, land-grant or Bible Colleges were considered. Over 1,000 students required. 4-year schools required. All data was collected and is up to date as of September 26, 2022.
Photo Disclaimer: Please note photos are for representational purposes only. Some photos may be of nearby cities or towns.
This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: The Most Affordable College in Your State
