Best value public schools are gradually becoming better choices for most ordinaries. Rising tuition and other associated expenses bring big financial pressure to people who want to enjoy a good education. Public colleges with excellent faculty and advanced facilities are more economical and affordable than private colleges. Check our list of the top 10 best value colleges for out-of-state students and see which one you want to go.
How is the Tuition of Best Value Public Colleges
In the United States, out-of-state tuition at public colleges is much more expensive than in-state tuition. Public universities often charge different tuition fees based on a student’s residency status. In-state residents enjoy lower tuition, while students from other states or countries pay higher fees. This difference is mainly due to the unequal funding of local governments for schools in their states. In the University of California system, for example, in-state students pay about $14,000 a year in tuition, while non-residents pay more than $45,000. This difference makes it imperative for many students to take it into account when choosing a college.
The List of Best Value Public Colleges
10. SUNY College of Technology – Delhi
U.S. News ranking: #14 in Regional Colleges North
In-state tuition and fees: $8,710
Out-of-state tuition and fees: $12,480
Total cost(2023-2034): $32,786
Average cost after financial aid: $27,627
Percentage of undergraduates receiving financial aid: 47 %
Renowned for its expertise in technical and applied sciences, SUNY College of Technology at Delhi offers a wide range of undergraduate and vocational programs, especially in the fields of agricultural technology, construction technology, business, and engineering. The school motto is “Learning by Doing,” which emphasizes the combination of practice and theory to cultivate students’ practical ability and innovative spirit. The employment rate of graduates is 32.1% in 2023, and many students can successfully enter the workplace after completing their studies and becoming professionals in all walks of life.
9. University of Illinois – Springfield
U.S. News ranking: #28 in Regional Universities Midwest (tie)
In-state tuition and fees: $12,262
Out-of-state tuition and fees: $22,027
Total cost(2023-2034): $38,291
Average cost after financial aid: $21,286
Percentage of undergraduates receiving financial aid: 31%
Founded in 1969, the University of Illinois at Springfield is a public institution situated on a 746-acre campus in the state capital, approximately 90 miles northeast of St. Louis. Students can choose from nearly 25 undergraduate programs and around 20 master’s degree programs, which include offerings from the School of Business, School of Public Affairs, and School of Management. In addition to their academic pursuits, students can engage in more than 80 organizations and participate in various campus events throughout the year.
8. Keene State College
U.S. News ranking: #15 in Regional Colleges North (tie)
In-state tuition and fees: $14,784
Out-of-state tuition and fees: $26,840
Total cost(2023-2034): $43,262
Average cost after financial aid: $37,909
Percentage of undergraduates receiving financial aid: 82%
Keene State College is a prestigious public liberal arts college founded in 1909, with 2,735 undergraduate students in the Fall of 2023. The campus is located in Keene, New Hampshire, USA, with a 150-acre campus. Here, students can take part in small and in-person classes, which gives them more opportunities to communicate with their professors. The college offers more than 60 student clubs, organizations, and sports teams, bringing students a vibrant experience.
7. Oregon Institute of Technology
U.S. News ranking: #4 in Regional Colleges West (tie)
In-state tuition and fees: $13,260
Out-of-state tuition and fees: $37,195
Total cost(2023-2034): $51,322
Average cost after financial aid: $44,476
Percentage of undergraduates receiving financial aid: 27%
This public institution’s academic programs include the highly-ranked fields of engineering and engineering technology, as well as biology, management, communication, and radiology. As the first renewable energy engineering undergraduate program in the United States, the school emphasizes sustainability in academic and campus life. Geothermal sources have been heating Oregon Tech’s main campus for decades, and the campus also houses a club focused on sustainability and offers internships at the Oregon Renewable Energy Center.
6. California State University – Chico
U.S. News ranking: #20 in Regional Universities West (tie)
In-state tuition and fees: $8,472
Out-of-state tuition and fees: $20,940
Total cost(2023-2034): $35,976
Average cost after financial aid: $21,763
Percentage of undergraduates receiving financial aid: 1%
California State University, Chico was founded in 1887 and is one of the oldest public institutions in the California State University system. With over 400 undergraduate and graduate degree programs, it offers a wide range of educational opportunities. The university is located in Chico, California, approximately 90 miles north of the state capital, Sacramento.
Chico is known for its safe and friendly environment, combining the charm of a small town with the conveniences of a larger city, minus the congestion, pollution, and high costs typically found in metropolises. This, along with Northern California’s mild Mediterranean climate, makes Chico an ideal place for outdoor enthusiasts. The most popular fields of study among students include business, computer technology, education, and public affairs.
5. University of Maine at Farmington
U.S. News ranking: #15 in Regional Colleges North (tie)
In-state tuition and fees: $11,308
Out-of-state tuition and fees: $23,878
Total cost(2023-2034): $38,453
Average cost after financial aid: $25,731
Percentage of undergraduates receiving financial aid: 62%
Established in 1864, the University of Maine at Farmington is the first public institution of higher education in Maine. The university is located in downtown Farmington. It’s very convenient for students to experience urban life and get what they want. The University of Maine at Farmington (UMF) has around 1,600 full-time students, making it similar in size to many of New England’s prestigious private colleges. It provides many of the same benefits, but at a significantly lower cost, offering outstanding value in a beautiful natural setting.
4. University of Montevallo
U.S. News ranking: #23 in Regional Universities South (tie)
In-state tuition and fees: $13,948
Out-of-state tuition and fees: $26,968
Total cost(2023-2034): $41,936
Average cost after financial aid: $21,793
Percentage of undergraduates receiving financial aid: 45%
The University of Montevallo is a four-year comprehensive public institution founded in 1896. It is located on 160 acres in the town of Montevallo, Alabama, 35 miles from Birmingham. The school now has a business School, School of Art, School of Education, School of Medicine, School of Social Sciences, School of Natural Sciences, etc., with nearly 40 specialities. There are 2889 students, and the teacher-student ratio is about 1:17.
The University of Monte Faro, originally established as the Alabama Women’s Industrial College in October 1896, was the first engineering college exclusively for female students. It was renamed Alabama Technical College for Women in 1911 and began admitting both genders in 1956. The institution officially became the University of Montefaro on September 1, 1969.
3. California Polytechnic State University – San Luis Obispo
U.S. News ranking: #1 in Regional Universities West
In-state tuition and fees: $13,596
Out-of-state tuition and fees: $20,112
Total cost(2023-2034): $39,588
Average cost after financial aid: $33,794
Percentage of undergraduates receiving financial aid: 14%
California Polytechnic State University is a long-established comprehensive scientific and technological public university. The campus is located in SAN Luis Obispo, California, near San Francisco and Los Angeles. It is part of the California State system and is known for engineering, business, architecture, and agriculture. As one of the best value colleges in America, Cal Poly is a unique university known for hands-on learning that prepares students well for today’s technological world.
2. Florida Polytechnic University
U.S. News ranking: #1 in Top Public Schools
In-state tuition and fees: $4,940
Out-of-state tuition and fees: $21,005
Total cost(2023-2034): $38,966
Average cost after financial aid: $23,691
Percentage of undergraduates receiving financial aid: 44%
Founded in 1958 by NASA experts, Florida Polytechnic University has a strong focus on scientific and technological research, excelling in aviation, engineering, psychology, and business sciences. This university is one of the best value colleges. It sits on 130 scenic acres. There is a high-tech corridor with over 5,000 tech companies near the university, including more than 100 Fortune 500 firms. Graduates can get more employment opportunities. Besides, it’s just 5 minutes from the Indian River, 10 minutes from Atlantic beaches, and about 50 minutes from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, with easy access to airports in Melbourne, Orlando, and Miami.
1. Murray State University
U.S. News ranking: #20 in Regional Universities South (tie)
In-state tuition and fees: $9,900
Out-of-state tuition and fees: $16,711
Total cost(2023-2034): $27,471
Average cost after financial aid: $16,711
Percentage of undergraduates receiving financial aid: 63 %
Murray State University was founded in 1922 and is located in the western Kentucky of Murray City. It is one of the best priced colleges and the best public universities in Kentucky in the United States, and it also enjoys a good reputation. The university has been ranked by Newsweek as the top public university in the United States for 19 consecutive years. The academic colleges and schools of Murray State University offer 148 programs in physics, music, accounting, and nursing.
Conclusion
Studying in the best value public colleges is the most appropriate way for students who are concerned with money to pursue personal growth and career advancement. The blog describes the difference between in-state tuition and out-of-state tuition in public colleges and lists the best value public colleges. These institutions are suitable for students who can not afford too much tuition but want to enjoy a better education. If some of these colleges are in your state, you will be an in-state student, and your tuition will be lower than that of other people who are out of the state.
FAQ
What colleges offer the most value for the money?
Murray State University.
Murray State University is a public institution founded in 1922, with in-state tuition and fees of $9,900 and out-of-state tuition and fees of $10,452. It is the best value public college.
What is the most affordable college in the US?
Below are five best value public colleges in the US.
Murray State University
Florida Polytechnic University
California Polytechnic State University – San Luis Obispo
University of Montevallo
University of Maine at Farmington
What is the cheapest Ivy League school?
Princeton University.
Princeton University has more financial aid programs for students than other Ivy League universities, which makes it easier for students to complete their higher education.
