Choosing a college in your home state has some big benefits:
- You get in-state tuition.
- You’re probably closer to home.
- Your friends are more likely to go there.
- You can go to a school you’ve actually heard of.
- You can make connections and find internships and jobs in your home state (if that’s where you want to end up!)
Going to an in-state school doesn’t have to feel like settling, either. Every state has strong schools—you just have to know how to find them.
We’ll do the heavy lifting for you. On this page you’ll find how many institutes of higher education your state has to offer, average cost of tuition and fees (as provided by The College Board), and where you can find the best colleges in your state. We’ll also tell you which regional accrediting body your state falls under, so you’ll know what accreditation to look for.
Of course, this isn’t just a tool to find schools in your state. You can also use this hub to find the best schools in a state you’d like to live in or the state with the lowest out-of-state tuition (that’ll be South Dakota).
(Note: tuition data is based on four-year public institutions of higher education.)
Alabama
Number of colleges: 129
Average tuition and fees:
- In-state: $10,530 per year
- Out-of-state: $25,760 per year
Regional accrediting body: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
Significant online degrees:
- University of Alabama at Birmingham is our pick for #1 online bachelor in accounting degree programs.
Significant traditional degrees:
- Coming soon!
Alaska
Number of colleges: 35
Average tuition and fees:
- In-state: $7,440 per year
- Out-of-state: $22,840 per year
Regional accrediting body: Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
More coming soon!
Arizona
Number of colleges: 155
Average tuition and fees:
- In-state: $11,220 per year
- Out-of-state: $29,750 per year
Regional accrediting body: Higher Learning Commission
Significant online degrees:
- Arizona State University is our pick for #1 online bachelor in IT degrees.
Significant traditional degrees:
- Coming soon!
Arkansas
Number of colleges: 108
Average tuition and fees:
- In-state: $8,550 per year
- Out-of-state: $21,000 per year
Regional accrediting body: Higher Learning Commission
More coming soon!
California
Number of colleges: 1,246
Average tuition and fees:
- In-state: $9,680 per year
- Out-of-state: $32,590 per year
Regional accrediting body: Western Association of Schools and Colleges
Significant online degrees:
- We’ve put together a list of the best online schools in California.
- Humboldt State University in Arcata, California is our pick for #1 online bachelor in social work degree.
Significant traditional degrees:
- Coming soon!
Colorado
Number of colleges: 171
Average tuition and fees:
- In-state: $10,800 per year
- Out-of-state: $30,600 per year
Regional accrediting body: Higher Learning Commission
More coming soon!
Connecticut
Number of colleges: 114
Average tuition and fees:
- In-state: $12,390 per year
- Out-of-state: $29,020 per year
Regional accrediting body: New England Association of Schools and Colleges
More coming soon!
Delaware
Number of colleges: 23
Average tuition and fees:
- In-state: $12,270 per year
- Out-of-state: $30,970 per year
Regional accrediting body: Middle States Commission on Higher Education
More coming soon!
Florida
Number of colleges: 439
Average tuition and fees:
- In-state: $6,360 per year
- Out-of-state: $21,880 per year
Regional accrediting body: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
Significant online degrees:
- University of Florida is our pick for #1 online BBA degree programs.
Significant traditional degrees:
- Coming soon!
Georgia
Number of colleges: 210
Average tuition and fees:
- In-state: $8,570 per year
- Out-of-state: $26,760 per year
Regional accrediting body: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
Significant online degrees:
- Georgia Institute of Technology is our pick for best engineering school in the country.
Significant traditional degrees:
- Coming soon!
Hawaii
Number of colleges: 43
Average tuition and fees:
- In-state: $10,660 per year
- Out-of-state: $31,090 per year
Regional accrediting body: Western Association of Schools and Colleges
More coming soon!
Idaho
Number of colleges: 33
Average tuition and fees:
- In-state: $7,250 per year
- Out-of-state: $22,580 per year
Regional accrediting body: Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
More coming soon!
Illinois
Number of colleges: 391
Average tuition and fees:
- In-state: $13,620 per year
- Out-of-state:$23,480 per year
Regional accrediting body: Higher Learning Commission
More coming soon!
Indiana
Number of colleges: 175
Average tuition and fees:
- In-state: $9,360 per year
- Out-of-state: $29,170 per year
Regional accrediting body: Higher Learning Commission
More coming soon!
Iowa
Number of colleges: 107
Average tuition and fees:
- In-state: $8,760 per year
- Out-of-state: $26,040 per year
Regional accrediting body: Higher Learning Commission
More coming soon!
Kansas
Number of colleges: 99
Average tuition and fees:
- In-state: $9,230 per year
- Out-of-state: $23,910 per year
Regional accrediting body: Higher Learning Commission
Significant online degrees:
- Fort Hays University in Hays, Kansas is our pick for #1 online bachelor in human resource degrees.
Significant traditional degrees:
- Coming soon!
Kentucky
Number of colleges: 165
Average tuition and fees:
- In-state: $10,300 per year
- Out-of-state: $23,710 per year
Regional accrediting body: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
More coming soon!
Louisiana
Number of colleges: 173
Average tuition and fees:
- In-state: $9,300 per year
- Out-of-state: $23,280 per year
Regional accrediting body: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
More coming soon!
Maine
Number of colleges: 60
Average tuition and fees:
- In-state: $9,970 per year
- Out-of-state: $27,010 per year
Regional accrediting body: New England Association of Schools and Colleges
More coming soon!
Maryland
Number of colleges: 148
Average tuition and fees:
- In-state: $9,580 per year
- Out-of-state: $22,060 per year
Regional accrediting body: Middle States Commission on Higher Education
More coming soon!
Massachusetts
Number of colleges: 261
Average tuition and fees:
- In-state: $7,990 per year
- Out-of-state: $19,060 per year
Regional accrediting body: New England Association of Schools and Colleges
Significant online degrees:
- Northeastern University in Boston is our pick for best online bachelor in business management programs.
Significant traditional degrees:
- Coming soon!
Michigan
Number of colleges: 302
Average tuition and fees:
- In-state: $12,930 per year
- Out-of-state: $36,840 per year
Regional accrediting body: Higher Learning Commission
More coming soon!
Minnesota
Number of colleges: 169
Average tuition and fees:
- In-state: $11,300 per year
- Out-of-state: $20,890 per year
Regional accrediting body: Higher Learning Commission
More coming soon!
Mississippi
Number of colleges: 69
Average tuition and fees:
- In-state: $12,730 per year
- Out-of-state: $29,220 per year
Regional accrediting body: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
More coming soon!
Missouri
Number of colleges: 242
Average tuition and fees:
- In-state: $8,870 per year
- Out-of-state: $21,190 per year
Regional accrediting body: Higher Learning Commission
More coming soon!
Montana
Number of colleges: 54
Average tuition and fees:
- In-state: $6,910 per year
- Out-of-state: $23,220 per year
Regional accrediting body: Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
More coming soon!
Nebraska
Number of colleges: 68
Average tuition and fees:
- In-state: $8,720 per year
- Out-of-state: $20,310 per year
Regional accrediting body: Higher Learning Commission
More coming soon!
Nevada
Number of colleges: 77
Average tuition and fees:
- In-state: $7,270
- Out-of-state: $21,510
Regional accrediting body: Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
More coming soon!
New Hampshire
Number of colleges: 43
Average tuition and fees:
- In-state: $16,070 per year
- Out-of-state: $28,430 per year
Regional accrediting body: New England Association of Schools and Colleges
More coming soon!
New Jersey
Number of colleges: 207
Average tuition and fees:
- In-state: $13,620 per year
- Out-of-state: $23,480 per year
Regional accrediting body: Middle States Commission on Higher Education
More coming soon!
New Mexico
Number of colleges: 61
Average tuition and fees:
- In-state: $6,920 per year
- Out-of-state: $20,060 per year
Regional accrediting body: Higher Learning Commission
More coming soon!
New York
Number of colleges: 632
Average tuition and fees:
- In-state: $7,940 per year
- Out-of-state: $19,500 per year
Regional accrediting body: Middle States Commission on Higher Education
Significant online degrees:
- Coming soon!
Significant traditional degrees:
- Three of the top culinary arts schools in the U.S. are located in New York.
North Carolina
Number of colleges: 188
Average tuition and fees:
- In-state: $7,380 per year
- Out-of-state: $24,520 per year
Regional accrediting body: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
More coming soon!
North Dakota
Number of colleges: 30
Average tuition and fees:
- In-state: $8,200 per year
- Out-of-state: $19,420 per year
Regional accrediting body: Higher Learning Commission
More coming soon!
Ohio
Number of colleges: 386
Average tuition and fees:
- In-state: $10,510 per year
- Out-of-state: $25,000 per year
Regional accrediting body: Higher Learning Commission
More coming soon!
Oklahoma
Number of colleges: 158
Average tuition and fees:
- In-state: $8,460 per year
- Out-of-state: $22,520 per year
Regional accrediting body: Higher Learning Commission
More coming soon!
Oregon
Number of colleges: 125
Average tuition and fees:
- In-state: $10,360 per year
- Out-of-state: $30,300 per year
Regional accrediting body: Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
Significant online degrees:
- Oregon State University is our pick for best online college in the country and best online bachelor computer science degree.
Significant traditional degrees:
- Coming soon!
Pennsylvania
Number of colleges: 544
Average tuition and fees:
- In-state: $14,440 per year
- Out-of-state: $26,960 per year
Regional accrediting body: Middle States Commission on Higher Education
Significant online degrees:
- Penn State University is our pick for top online bachelor in psychology degree programs.
Significant traditional degrees:
- Coming soon!
Rhode Island
Number of colleges: 37
Average tuition and fees:
- In-state: $12,230 per year
- Out-of-state: $28,910 per year
Regional accrediting body: New England Association of Schools and Colleges
More coming soon!
South Carolina
Number of colleges: 97
Average tuition and fees:
- In-state: $12,610 per year
- Out-of-state: $31,350 per year
Regional accrediting body: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
More coming soon!
South Dakota
Number of colleges: 33
Average tuition and fees:
- In-state: $8,450 per year
- Out-of-state: $12,480 per year
Regional accrediting body: Higher Learning Commission
More coming soon!
Tennessee
Number of colleges: 191
Average tuition and fees:
- In-state: $9,790 per year
- Out-of-state: $26,640 per year
Regional accrediting body: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
More coming soon!
Texas
Number of colleges: 506
Average tuition and fees:
- In-state: $9,840 per year
- Out-of-state: $26,210 per year
Regional accrediting body: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
More coming soon!
Utah
Number of colleges: 60
Average tuition and fees:
- In-state: $6,790 per year
- Out-of-state: $20,730 per year
Regional accrediting body: Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
More coming soon!
Vermont
Number of colleges: 32
Average tuition and fees:
- In-state: $16,040 per year
- Out-of-state: $26,960 per year
Regional accrediting body: New England Association of Schools and Colleges
More coming soon!
Virginia
Number of colleges: 222
Average tuition and fees:
- In-state: $12,820 per year
- Out-of-state: $33,270 per year
Regional accrediting body: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
More coming soon!
Washington
Number of colleges: 164
Average tuition and fees:
- In-state: $9,480 per year
- Out-of-state: $29,300 per year
Regional accrediting body: Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
Significant online degrees:
- We’ve put together a list of the best online schools in Washington state.
- Washington State University is our pick for the #11 best online school in the country.
More coming soon!
West Virginia
Number of colleges: 99
Average tuition and fees:
- In-state: $7,890 per year
- Out-of-state: $21,550 per year
Regional accrediting body: Higher Learning Commission
More coming soon!
Wisconsin
Number of colleges:
Average tuition and fees:
- In-state: $8,960 per year
- Out-of-state:$22,930 per year
Regional accrediting body: Higher Learning Commission
More coming soon!
Wyoming
Number of colleges:
Average tuition and fees:
- In-state: $5,220 per year
- Out-of-state: $16,830 per year
Regional accrediting body: Higher Learning Commission
More coming soon!
