5 answers
Katelyn
Student
Elk River, Minnesota
3
Questions
Updated
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What are the benefits of staying in state vs going out of state?
I am trying to get an idea of what colleges are out there for me along with costs, I heard that it can be more expensive to go out of state, yet I also want to know if there is better programs out there.
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5 answers
Dr H
Dr. H's Research
1334
Answers
Australia
Updated
Dr’s Answer
Hey Katelyn, choosing between staying in state or going out-of-state is a bit like deciding whether to stick with your favorite hometown diner or try that trendy new restaurant in a far-off city. 😍
In-state schools usually mean lower tuition—your state helps cover the costs with your tax dollars—and you get the comfort of being close to family and friends. That can be a real bonus if you’re looking to save money or want a familiar support system around you.
On the other hand, out-of-state schools can offer programs or specialties that aren’t available at home, giving you a fresh perspective and potentially opening doors you might not find locally. The sticker price is generally higher, sometimes two or three times as much, but there’s often generous financial aid or scholarship opportunities that can help bridge that gap ().
At the end of the day, it’s all about what matters most to you—if cost and staying near home are your top priorities, in-state might be the way to go. But if you’re after a unique program or a new environment that challenges you in different ways, venturing out-of-state could be worth the extra expense. Happy college hunting Katelyn, and may you find the perfect fit! 😉🥰
In-state schools usually mean lower tuition—your state helps cover the costs with your tax dollars—and you get the comfort of being close to family and friends. That can be a real bonus if you’re looking to save money or want a familiar support system around you.
On the other hand, out-of-state schools can offer programs or specialties that aren’t available at home, giving you a fresh perspective and potentially opening doors you might not find locally. The sticker price is generally higher, sometimes two or three times as much, but there’s often generous financial aid or scholarship opportunities that can help bridge that gap ().
At the end of the day, it’s all about what matters most to you—if cost and staying near home are your top priorities, in-state might be the way to go. But if you’re after a unique program or a new environment that challenges you in different ways, venturing out-of-state could be worth the extra expense. Happy college hunting Katelyn, and may you find the perfect fit! 😉🥰
Martha Kramer
Corporate Training, Communications
407
Answers
Stamford, Connecticut
Updated
Martha’s Answer
Hi Katelyn, you have asked an excellent question, and it is great that someone in your chosen field has given you advice. To build on that,
- There are many colleges and universities with engineering programs in your state - see first link below. Even in state, it may be easier and less expensive to look beyond the main campus, especially in a competitive area like engineering.
- I don't necessarily agree that you will have student loans regardless of where you go. A handful -- see 2nd link below -- offer no tuition to families earning below a certain amount. You would have to read carefully because you would still be responsible for housing, food, books, travel, etc. but tuition is often a big chunk. A few highly selective universities, such as Princeton, offer no-loan support covering all expenses.
- Some statesnhave reciprocal agreements with neighboring states to offer in-state tuition to the residents of those states. According to one of your state's websites (third link), Minnesota has ongoing reciprocity agreements with Wisconsin, North Dakota, one institution in Iowa, and the Canadian province of Manitoba. This could open up your choices.
- To attract high-caliber students, some schools offer "honors colleges" that could include free or reduced tuition, special housing, enhanced advising, customized events, and more. If you score high enough on the PSAT, these schools will contact you. Or, if you are interested in a particular school, you could see if what they offer.
Keep doing your research - there are many choices out there, especially in STEM. Good luck!
Niche - https://www.niche.com/colleges/search/best-colleges-for-engineering/s/minnesota/
NYT No Tuition colleges - https://www.nytimes.com/article/which-colleges-offer-free-tuition.html
Tuition reciprocity - https://www.ohe.state.mn.us/mPg.cfm?pageID=813
- There are many colleges and universities with engineering programs in your state - see first link below. Even in state, it may be easier and less expensive to look beyond the main campus, especially in a competitive area like engineering.
- I don't necessarily agree that you will have student loans regardless of where you go. A handful -- see 2nd link below -- offer no tuition to families earning below a certain amount. You would have to read carefully because you would still be responsible for housing, food, books, travel, etc. but tuition is often a big chunk. A few highly selective universities, such as Princeton, offer no-loan support covering all expenses.
- Some statesnhave reciprocal agreements with neighboring states to offer in-state tuition to the residents of those states. According to one of your state's websites (third link), Minnesota has ongoing reciprocity agreements with Wisconsin, North Dakota, one institution in Iowa, and the Canadian province of Manitoba. This could open up your choices.
- To attract high-caliber students, some schools offer "honors colleges" that could include free or reduced tuition, special housing, enhanced advising, customized events, and more. If you score high enough on the PSAT, these schools will contact you. Or, if you are interested in a particular school, you could see if what they offer.
Keep doing your research - there are many choices out there, especially in STEM. Good luck!
Martha recommends the following next steps:
Elizabeth Thesing
Engineering
33
Answers
Springfield, Ohio
Updated
Elizabeth’s Answer
Hi Katelyn! Searching for the "right" college can be difficult, but here are a few things to consider.
Going out of state is almost always going to be more expensive as you will be charged a "non-resident" tuition for attending a public university, whereas you can only pay an in-state tuition if you live in state. You could try to establish residency in the state you wish to go to college in, but each state will have different requirements as to how to do that and you may have to wait to start college for a year or longer while establishing residency.
You may be able to find information on grants or scholarships to apply for which, if won, would help reduce the cost of tuition! You'll need to identify what colleges you are interested in, their requirements, and their scholarships. You could do an initial search on the college website, but it may be useful to speak to an admissions counselor as well.
Some of this will also depend on where you live and what colleges are in your state. You may have colleges with high rankings in certain programs and will not need or want to look at out-of-state colleges! But if that isn't an option because of your program(s) of interest, perhaps consider if you can take any college credits at a local or community college first and transfer them to your preferred school for your degree. This can help save on costs while still allowing you to go to the school of your dreams.
Don't feel like you have to go to a top school, either. Plenty, in fact, the majority of people likely go to a school they can afford that has the program they are passionate about. (And let's be honest - college isn't something you can afford anywhere nowadays - you will have student loans regardless of where you go.) They are able to find jobs and have successful careers.
A final option to consider will depend on your degree/program of choice. Some majors will allow you to work for a certain amount of time and then your loans would be "forgiven". You may have to meet certain requirements such as working in a low-income area from a pre-approved list, or working at a school for 10 years, or something like that, but this is another option for paying off college.
Do some research on what programs you want to try and what colleges are options for you, then keep learning!
Identify what college degree interests you and research colleges with accredited programs.
Research what grant and scholarships you can apply for at those colleges.
Look into any other programs that may allow you to work for a certain amount of time in order to have student loans forgiven.
Going out of state is almost always going to be more expensive as you will be charged a "non-resident" tuition for attending a public university, whereas you can only pay an in-state tuition if you live in state. You could try to establish residency in the state you wish to go to college in, but each state will have different requirements as to how to do that and you may have to wait to start college for a year or longer while establishing residency.
You may be able to find information on grants or scholarships to apply for which, if won, would help reduce the cost of tuition! You'll need to identify what colleges you are interested in, their requirements, and their scholarships. You could do an initial search on the college website, but it may be useful to speak to an admissions counselor as well.
Some of this will also depend on where you live and what colleges are in your state. You may have colleges with high rankings in certain programs and will not need or want to look at out-of-state colleges! But if that isn't an option because of your program(s) of interest, perhaps consider if you can take any college credits at a local or community college first and transfer them to your preferred school for your degree. This can help save on costs while still allowing you to go to the school of your dreams.
Don't feel like you have to go to a top school, either. Plenty, in fact, the majority of people likely go to a school they can afford that has the program they are passionate about. (And let's be honest - college isn't something you can afford anywhere nowadays - you will have student loans regardless of where you go.) They are able to find jobs and have successful careers.
A final option to consider will depend on your degree/program of choice. Some majors will allow you to work for a certain amount of time and then your loans would be "forgiven". You may have to meet certain requirements such as working in a low-income area from a pre-approved list, or working at a school for 10 years, or something like that, but this is another option for paying off college.
Do some research on what programs you want to try and what colleges are options for you, then keep learning!
Elizabeth recommends the following next steps:
Jason White
Lead Product Manager- Network Security
112
Answers
Dallas, Texas
Updated
Jason’s Answer
Hey Katelyn,
It's great you are looking into your future.
Long story short I think if you have a specialized program you are interested in in a different state especially if you can get a scholarship... DO IT. If you aren't looking into specialized programs and want to go out of state just because you have the urge to move away. I'd say stay in state it's cheaper the post graduate outcomes are likely similar thus you will have plenty of opportunity to move once you graduate.
To go a bit more in detail.
There are several reasons that students go out of state for school. One of the most common is the recognition of a particular program they are interested in. All schools don't necessarily produce the same level of opportunities in every major as I'm sure you know. Some schools are very good in one particular area or another. If a school out of state has a very specialized program in an area of interest that is often a reason students go out of state and justify the cost of attending an out of state school. Some states also don't offer any programs in a particular major or specialization thus those students go out of state.
As far as in state I think there are a plethora of benefits. Obviously #1 is the cost of attending. Most state schools will be cheaper if you are an in state student. So if you are going of a major that isn't as specialized it can be beneficial to attend in state for the cost savings. There are often specialized scholarships for in state students at many universities (there are also some for out of state). For me personally I found the mix of being in state thus close enough to home to visit without being home sick was a good balance with being away.
It's great you are looking into your future.
Long story short I think if you have a specialized program you are interested in in a different state especially if you can get a scholarship... DO IT. If you aren't looking into specialized programs and want to go out of state just because you have the urge to move away. I'd say stay in state it's cheaper the post graduate outcomes are likely similar thus you will have plenty of opportunity to move once you graduate.
To go a bit more in detail.
There are several reasons that students go out of state for school. One of the most common is the recognition of a particular program they are interested in. All schools don't necessarily produce the same level of opportunities in every major as I'm sure you know. Some schools are very good in one particular area or another. If a school out of state has a very specialized program in an area of interest that is often a reason students go out of state and justify the cost of attending an out of state school. Some states also don't offer any programs in a particular major or specialization thus those students go out of state.
As far as in state I think there are a plethora of benefits. Obviously #1 is the cost of attending. Most state schools will be cheaper if you are an in state student. So if you are going of a major that isn't as specialized it can be beneficial to attend in state for the cost savings. There are often specialized scholarships for in state students at many universities (there are also some for out of state). For me personally I found the mix of being in state thus close enough to home to visit without being home sick was a good balance with being away.
Patrick Meyer
Executive - Data Analytics and AI
941
Answers
Naperville, Illinois
Updated
Patrick’s Answer
Katelyn, let me start by saying that there is no right or wrong answer only ones that might provide some guidance. I believe first and foremost going to college in your home state typically offers significant financial advantages. In-state tuition at public universities is substantially lower than out-of-state rates, often by $15,000-$25,000 per year. Many states also offer resident-specific scholarships and grants that aren't available to out-of-state students. Living closer to home can further reduce costs through less expensive travel, potential to live at home, and easier access to established support networks during emergencies or holidays.
You can also know that being or having familiarity of your home state can provide practical benefits too. You'll likely understand the regional culture, climate, and geography, making the transition to college life smoother. Existing connections and networks may help with internship or job opportunities. Many state universities have strong relationships with local employers, creating pathways to post-graduation employment.
However, out-of-state colleges offer valuable experiences that shouldn't be overlooked. Exposure to different regions, perspectives, and communities contributes significantly to personal growth and independence. The right out-of-state program might offer specialized academic opportunities not available in your home state, particularly if you're pursuing a niche field or want access to specific research facilities or faculty expertise.
While generally more expensive, some out-of-state options may actually be financially competitive through reciprocity agreements between states (like the Western Undergraduate Exchange or Midwest Student Exchange Program), which reduce tuition costs for students from participating states. Additionally, private universities often charge the same tuition regardless of residency, and sometimes offer generous financial aid packages that can make them comparable to in-state public options.
The best approach is to research both in-state and out-of-state options based on your specific academic goals, then compare the total cost after financial aid. Look beyond sticker prices by requesting financial aid estimates from each school you're considering. Sometimes a higher-ranked out-of-state program might offer enough aid to make it financially comparable to an in-state option, while providing educational or career advantages that make the investment worthwhile.
You can also know that being or having familiarity of your home state can provide practical benefits too. You'll likely understand the regional culture, climate, and geography, making the transition to college life smoother. Existing connections and networks may help with internship or job opportunities. Many state universities have strong relationships with local employers, creating pathways to post-graduation employment.
However, out-of-state colleges offer valuable experiences that shouldn't be overlooked. Exposure to different regions, perspectives, and communities contributes significantly to personal growth and independence. The right out-of-state program might offer specialized academic opportunities not available in your home state, particularly if you're pursuing a niche field or want access to specific research facilities or faculty expertise.
While generally more expensive, some out-of-state options may actually be financially competitive through reciprocity agreements between states (like the Western Undergraduate Exchange or Midwest Student Exchange Program), which reduce tuition costs for students from participating states. Additionally, private universities often charge the same tuition regardless of residency, and sometimes offer generous financial aid packages that can make them comparable to in-state public options.
The best approach is to research both in-state and out-of-state options based on your specific academic goals, then compare the total cost after financial aid. Look beyond sticker prices by requesting financial aid estimates from each school you're considering. Sometimes a higher-ranked out-of-state program might offer enough aid to make it financially comparable to an in-state option, while providing educational or career advantages that make the investment worthwhile.