Costs & Financial Aid
In-state versus out-of-state tuition: what a year really costs
Rounded price bands by control and region, plus the residency rules that actually apply.
Campus Atlas Desk · August 7, 2026 · 6 min read
Public universities run two price tags. The gap between them is often larger than a year of rent in a mid-sized city.
Typical annual bands (2025/26, rounded)
- Public, in-state: $6,000 to $17,000.
- Public, out-of-state and international: $19,000 to $42,000, with flagship medical and engineering programs at the top.
- Private: $41,000 to $64,000 sticker.
- Two-year public colleges: $4,000 to $11,000.
Add room and board ($11,000 to $18,000), books and fees ($1,500) and health insurance for international students ($2,500 to $4,000).
Residency rules
- Working remotely for an out-of-state employer usually does not create residency.
- Most states require twelve consecutive months of domicile plus tax filing.
- Regional exchange agreements discount tuition across state lines without a move.
Assistantships
At graduate level a research or teaching assistantship typically waives tuition and pays a stipend of $22,000 to $38,000. In engineering and the sciences these positions are normal, not exceptional.
Never compare sticker prices. Compare net price after grants and get the estimate in writing before you commit.
Enrolment, tuition and acceptance figures are rounded planning values compiled in 2025/26 for orientation. Verify exact numbers with each university's official fact sheet before you apply.