Ranked

891 uS universities with the lowest tuition

Published in-state tuition, lowest first. The sticker price is not what most families pay — the net price by income sits on each university page.

#UniversityIn-stateCost of attendance BorrowPaying downSATAcceptance
41 West Virginia University at Parkersburg Parkersburg, West Virginia $4,612 $9,420 18% 34% — —
42 Western Carolina University Cullowhee, North Carolina $4,630 $19,992 44% 59% 1157 82%
43 Nashville State Community College Nashville, Tennessee $4,730 $14,385 6% 31% — —
44 Brigham Young University - Idaho Rexburg, Idaho $4,800 $15,246 11% 70% 1118 96%
45 Florida Atlantic University Boca Raton, Florida $4,879 $21,522 26% 55% 1127 66%
46 Florida Polytechnic University Lakeland, Florida $4,940 $21,817 25% — 1268 58%
47 Madison Area Technical College Madison, Wisconsin $4,977 $19,434 16% 47% — —
48 Everett Community College Everett, Washington $5,032 $20,451 3% 43% — —
49 Southern Union State Community College Wadley, Alabama $5,040 $13,637 22% 37% — —
50 Coastal Alabama Community College Bay Minette, Alabama $5,040 $20,605 64% 35% — —
51 Cascadia College Bothell, Washington $5,157 $21,077 2% 52% — —
52 Aiken Technical College Graniteville, South Carolina $5,174 $13,171 13% 31% — —
53 Seattle Central College Seattle, Washington $5,184 $17,889 3% 34% — —
54 Portland Community College Portland, Oregon $5,220 $17,934 21% 36% — —
55 Georgia Southwestern State University Americus, Georgia $5,220 $20,484 37% 45% 978 75%
56 Illinois Eastern Community Colleges Olney, Illinois $5,260 $17,333 4% 59% — —
57 University of North Georgia Dahlonega, Georgia $5,285 $18,177 20% 63% 1106 68%
58 Mercer County Community College West Windsor, New Jersey $5,310 $12,545 13% 38% — —
59 Montgomery College Rockville, Maryland $5,394 $15,298 6% 47% — —
60 National Park College Hot Springs, Arkansas $5,600 $19,331 22% 37% — —
61 Albany State University Albany, Georgia $5,656 $19,333 63% 21% — —
62 Florida State University Tallahassee, Florida $5,656 $25,720 20% 63% 1361 24%
63 University of the District of Columbia Washington, District of Columbia $5,662 $20,437 19% 31% — —
64 Northeastern Junior College Sterling, Colorado $5,730 $21,558 17% 50% — —
65 Lake Superior College Duluth, Minnesota $5,785 $19,723 21% 47% — —
66 Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University Tallahassee, Florida $5,785 $23,970 50% 34% 1107 21%
67 Kennesaw State University Kennesaw, Georgia $5,808 $24,008 33% 53% 1113 69%
68 Columbus State University Columbus, Georgia $5,898 $21,676 38% 38% 977 99%
69 Fort Hays State University Hays, Kansas $5,923 $19,909 24% 59% 1089 90%
70 Georgia Southern University Statesboro, Georgia $6,022 $24,430 36% 52% 1053 88%
71 University of West Georgia Carrollton, Georgia $6,088 $21,981 35% 43% 1032 52%
72 Erie Community College Buffalo, New York $6,100 $14,348 23% 46% — —
73 Florida Gulf Coast University Fort Myers, Florida $6,118 $20,807 25% 59% 1114 63%
74 Valdosta State University Valdosta, Georgia $6,124 $20,801 44% 41% 1013 72%
75 Lane Community College Eugene, Oregon $6,202 $18,699 17% 29% — —
76 Shorter College N Little Rock, Arkansas $6,246 $21,735 60% 25% — —
77 University of Puerto Rico Bayamon, Puerto Rico $6,284 $12,501 4% 66% — 35%
78 University of West Florida Pensacola, Florida $6,360 $19,947 25% 53% 1138 58%
79 University of Central Florida Orlando, Florida $6,368 $23,133 23% 59% 1269 40%
80 University of Florida Gainesville, Florida $6,381 $22,523 11% 69% 1403 24%

Questions

Cheapest tuition in the US: which university leads?
West Virginia University at Parkersburg — $4,612 in-state tuition.
Where does this data come from?
The US Department of Education College Scorecard, which publishes what institutions charge, what students borrow and repay, and the test scores of admitted students. Nothing here is estimated — universities without a published figure are left out of the ranking.
Is the cheapest university the best value?
Not necessarily. Price is one half of value; the other is what graduates earn and whether they clear the debt. Each university page links to its earnings and repayment record.
All university data Most expensive Best loan repayment Fewest borrowers Highest SAT Highest acceptance

Source: US Department of Education College Scorecard. Universities without a published figure for the ranked measure are not listed.