The Most Affordable Four-Year College in Each State

TBS Staff Writers
By
Updated on November 21, 2023
Looking for the most affordable four-year college in your state? We've found the college with the lowest net cost per year in each state.

Are you ready to discover your college program?

Most Affordable Four-Year Colleges

From the 90’s to 2023, tuition and fees tripled at public four-year institutions and more than doubled at private four-year institutions.

Recently, in the last few school years, tuition has risen 1.5% across all colleges and universities.

Tuition prices vary depending on factors like location, school, and program. For example, in-state students in Vermont paid an average of more than $17,000 in tuition and fees, while in-state students in Wyoming paid only $5,790.

Because college affordability is one of the most important things families look for in choosing a college, we’ve compiled a list of the most affordable 4-year schools in each state.


Most Affordable Four-Year College in Each State

The Most Affordable Four-Year College in Each State

Alabama - Athens State University

  • Location-markerAthens, AL
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
  • In-State$7,230
  • Out-of-state$14,460
Average Graduate Tuition
  • In-State$8,352
  • Out-of-state$14,472
  • Retention RateN/A
  • Acceptance RateN/A
  • Students Enrolled2,894
  • Institution TypePublic
  • Percent Online Enrollment91%
  • AccreditationYes
The Most Affordable Four-Year College in Each State

Alaska - University of Alaska Southeast

  • Location-markerJuneau, AK
  • 2 year
  • Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
  • In-State$8,460
  • Out-of-state$25,440
Average Graduate Tuition
  • In-State$11,183
  • Out-of-state$23,522
  • Retention Rate65%
  • Acceptance Rate63%
  • Students Enrolled1,923
  • Institution TypePublic
  • Percent Online Enrollment70%
  • AccreditationYes
The Most Affordable Four-Year College in Each State

Arizona - University of Arizona

  • Location-markerTucson, AZ
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
  • In-State$10,990
  • Out-of-state$33,739
Average Graduate Tuition
  • In-State$12,348
  • Out-of-state$32,290
  • Retention Rate86%
  • Acceptance Rate87%
  • Students Enrolled51,134
  • Institution TypePublic
  • Percent Online Enrollment56%
  • AccreditationYes
The Most Affordable Four-Year College in Each State

Arkansas - University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff

  • Location-markerPine Bluff, AR
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
  • In-State$5,130
  • Out-of-state$11,640
Average Graduate Tuition
  • In-State$5,184
  • Out-of-state$11,760
  • Retention Rate63%
  • Acceptance Rate68%
  • Students Enrolled2,670
  • Institution TypePublic
  • Percent Online Enrollment77%
  • AccreditationYes
The Most Affordable Four-Year College in Each State

California - California State University-Los Angeles

  • Location-markerLos Angeles, CA
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
  • In-State$5,742
  • Out-of-state$17,622
Average Graduate Tuition
  • In-State$7,176
  • Out-of-state$14,304
  • Retention Rate74%
  • Acceptance Rate87%
  • Students Enrolled26,029
  • Institution TypePublic
  • Percent Online Enrollment91%
  • AccreditationYes
The Most Affordable Four-Year College in Each State

Colorado - Colorado Mountain College

  • Location-markerGlenwood Springs, CO
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
  • In-State$5,850
  • Out-of-state$14,400
Average Graduate Tuition
  • In-StateN/A
  • Out-of-stateN/A
  • Retention Rate100%
  • Acceptance RateN/A
  • Students Enrolled5,134
  • Institution TypePublic
  • Percent Online Enrollment27%
  • AccreditationYes
The Most Affordable Four-Year College in Each State

Connecticut - University of Connecticut-Waterbury

  • Location-markerWaterbury, CT
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
  • In-State$15,030
  • Out-of-state$37,698
Average Graduate Tuition
  • In-StateN/A
  • Out-of-stateN/A
  • Retention Rate78%
  • Acceptance Rate83%
  • Students Enrolled795
  • Institution TypePublic
  • Percent Online EnrollmentN/A
  • AccreditationYes
The Most Affordable Four-Year College in Each State

Delaware - Delaware State University

  • Location-markerDover, DE
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
  • In-State$7,038
  • Out-of-state$16,960
Average Graduate Tuition
  • In-State$5,160
  • Out-of-state$11,376
  • Retention Rate75%
  • Acceptance Rate59%
  • Students Enrolled5,200
  • Institution TypePublic
  • Percent Online Enrollment69%
  • AccreditationYes
The Most Affordable Four-Year College in Each State

Florida - Indian River State College

  • Location-markerFort Pierce, FL
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
  • In-State$2,496
  • Out-of-state$9,360
Average Graduate Tuition
  • In-StateN/A
  • Out-of-stateN/A
  • Retention RateN/A
  • Acceptance RateN/A
  • Students Enrolled14,461
  • Institution TypePublic
  • Percent Online Enrollment66%
  • AccreditationYes
The Most Affordable Four-Year College in Each State

Georgia - Atlanta Metropolitan State College

  • Location-markerAtlanta, GA
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
  • In-State$2,425
  • Out-of-state$9,051
Average Graduate Tuition
  • In-StateN/A
  • Out-of-stateN/A
  • Retention Rate50%
  • Acceptance RateN/A
  • Students Enrolled1,605
  • Institution TypePublic
  • Percent Online Enrollment76%
  • AccreditationYes

Affordable Four-Year College

For Each State

2023


The Best Schools

Most Affordable Four-Year College Ranking Guidelines

This college ranking list focuses on public and private, non-profit colleges. Affordability is selected based on the average yearly net price for undergrads at each college. This net price is based on total student costs after scholarships and select other financial awards, and it includes fees, books, materials, room and board, etc. Net price is an alternative ranking factor to the official in-state tuition value.


The Most Affordable Online Colleges

The most affordable online bachelor’s degree programs don’t just provide entry to a great career, but also give the most return on investment.

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The Best Online Colleges by State

Many of the country’s top-ranked colleges and universities allow students to earn online associate degrees, online bachelor’s degrees, and online master’s degrees.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Affordable Colleges

Featured Online Programs

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