State guides
Explore college options by state
Check how residency, in-district rates, state aid rules and transfer agreements can change what you pay for college in your state, with a guide for each state.
Your state can change both the price you pay and the aid you can get. Public colleges often charge residents less than other students. The rules for who counts as a resident vary by state and by school. Some community colleges also set a lower rate for people who live in their own district or county.
State financial aid has its own rules. Programs can have deadlines, residency requirements, minimum enrollment levels or limits on which schools and programs qualify. Check your state’s aid agency, and file the FAFSA, since states commonly use it to decide who gets aid.
Transfer agreements matter too. Some states have agreements that set how community college courses move to public universities. Ask the college you plan to attend what its agreements cover and which degree you need to qualify.
Choose your state below to see what to check before you apply.
- Alabama
Compare Wallace State, Calhoun, Athens State, Troy and the University of Alabama, see how online and campus rates differ, and check the ASAP and ASGP grants.
- Alaska
See how course level, campus and residency set University of Alaska rates, what the nonresident surcharge change means, and the APS and Alaska Education Grant rules.
- Connecticut
Compare CT State Community College, UConn, Southern Connecticut and Charter Oak State College, and match the right Connecticut state award to your college.
- Delaware
Compare Delaware Tech, the University of Delaware, Delaware State and Wilmington University, and see what the SEED and INSPIRE scholarships do and do not cover.
- Florida
Learn why Florida colleges price by course level, compare St. Johns River, Valencia, Miami Dade, UF and FSU, and check Bright Futures and FSAG state aid rules.
- Hawaiʻi
Compare UH campuses with Chaminade and BYU–Hawaiʻi, sort out two reduced tuition rates that are not interchangeable, and check Hawaiʻi Promise for community college.
- Illinois
Compare eight Illinois colleges from Harper to UIUC, see how district, program and credit load move the price, and learn how the Illinois MAP grant works.
- Louisiana
See how Louisiana bills a term by credit band, residency and program tier, compare Delgado, UL Lafayette and the LSU campuses, and learn when TOPS is decided.
- Maryland
Compare Montgomery, Anne Arundel, Frederick, Towson and UMGC, see how residency tier and program level set the price, and check Maryland need-based grants.
- Massachusetts
Start with tuition-free community college through MassEducate, compare MassBay, Middlesex, Bunker Hill and UMass options, and see how MASSGrant fits in.
- New Hampshire
Compare Nashua Community College, Keene State, Plymouth State and UNH, see how online, part-time and campus billing differ, and find who runs state aid.
- New Jersey
Find your county tier at Camden or Mercer County College, compare Rutgers and Thomas Edison State, and learn who administers TAG, CCOG and EOF awards.
- New York
Compare CUNY, SUNY Niagara, Geneseo, Buffalo and Empire State, learn how the TAP grant works, and see why a community college may ask for a county residence certificate.
- North Carolina
See what NC Promise tuition means at four UNC universities, how the Residency Determination Service decides in-state status, and who qualifies for Next NC.
- North Dakota
Compare Bismarck State, NDSCS, NDSU and UND, see what each fee line covers and how Minnesota reciprocity applies, and learn how the North Dakota State Grant works.
- Ohio
See which Ohio community colleges charge a lower county rate, compare Columbus State, Sinclair, Tri-C, Stark State and Ohio State, and learn what OCOG covers.
- Pennsylvania
Compare CCAC, Temple, West Chester, Penn State World Campus and Eastern University, see how online tuition varies by load, and check the PA State Grant.
- Rhode Island
Compare CCRI, URI and Rhode Island College, see how differently each one publishes its price, and learn what Rhode Island Promise requires at the community college.
- South Carolina
Find your county rate at Spartanburg, Horry-Georgetown or Trident Tech, explore online completion at USC, and check LIFE, HOPE and Lottery Tuition Assistance.
- South Dakota
Compare the four technical colleges with SDSU and USD, read the Board of Regents rate table, and see what Build Dakota covers and the work commitment it asks.
- Texas
Get your Texas residency classification right first, then compare nine colleges from Austin CC to UT Permian Basin and learn how state aid uses the FAFSA or TASFA.
- Vermont
See who qualifies for tuition-free CCV through 802Opportunity, compare Vermont State, UVM and Champlain College Online, and check VSAC state grant rules.
- Virginia
Compare four Virginia community colleges with Old Dominion, George Mason and Regent, read NOVA per-credit prices, and check G3, VGAP and the transfer grant.
- West Virginia
Compare West Virginia community and technical colleges with WVU and Marshall, apply for state aid through WVSAM, and read the WV Invests conditions closely.
- Wisconsin
Compare MATC, Madison College, UW–Madison, UW–Milwaukee and UW Flexible Option, learn how the Wisconsin Grant is prorated, and check Minnesota reciprocity.