There are all kinds of reasons students might want to attend a private or out-of-state schools, including the potential for smaller class sizes, the ability to join an award-winning program, or just the desire to study further away from home. But, there’s often a huge tradeoff when it comes to attending a college that doesn’t offer in-state tuition.
Students who attend prestigious or distant schools may pay an extreme amount for tuition, fees and travel, and they can face a much higher student debt burden as a result. The most expensive colleges in the United States now have tuition prices over $70,000 per year.
The facts are laid out bare when you consider the increasing costs of higher education across the United States. According to CollegeBoard, tuition and fees for one year averaged out to the following nationwide for the 2024-25 academic year.
- Public four-year in-state: $11,610
- Public four-year out-of-state: $30,780
- Public two-year in-district: $4,050
- Private nonprofit four-year: $43,350
These figures represent the sticker price for tuition for one year of higher education, and most students don’t pay anywhere close to these amounts due to aid they receive. However, there’s a huge disparity between tuition for in-state, out-of-state and private four-year schools that can’t always be overcome with additional financial aid.
The Allure Of Private And Out-of-State Schools
While some students just want to get out of their hometown to study, there are plenty of practical reasons to consider a private or out-of-state school.
Allen Koh of Cardinal Education says students with very specific academic goals are likely to make this choice since they ultimately want to choose schools that offer specialized programs that provide a competitive edge. For example, Koh says a student interested in STEM and has the credentials for it will most likely apply to CalTech, Carnegie Mellon, Georgia Tech, MIT, or Stanford no matter what state they live in.
Of course, there are also programs that are suited to different parts of the country as well.
“If a student wants to pursue marine biology, they will consider schools in a coastal state to gain relevant hands-on experience,” says Koh.
Higher education consultant Cindy Chanin of Rainbow Education Consulting & Tutoring adds that some students want to engage with new environments and explore their newfound independence — goals that may work better if they’re further away from home.
“I encounter so many driven, young students who crave to get out into the world and to get to know themselves,” says Chanin. “For these students, college is not just about a degree; it’s about self-discovery.”
In that respect, out-of-state schools can immerse students in new cultures and help them take full advantage of the independence that comes with learning to be self-sufficient.
“While it is possible to have similar experiences at in-state schools, it takes more work for a student to become truly independent with their family likely only a quick drive away,” says Chanin.
Dan Ulin of Elite Student Coach in Los Angeles, California says that independence for students can even be a “lifelong dream.” With his experience consulting with families in California, Ulin says that about 20% of teens in the state attend college in cities like Boston, Chicago, New York, and Philadelphia.
In addition to having a desire to get away and establish their own identities, Ulin also agrees with other experts that some students pick a school based on academic factors.
“Sometimes this is driven by the desire to attend a prestigious institution far from home to prove they can do it or gain admission to a school that offers a program that meets their specific needs and aspirations,” he says.
Facing The Financial Toll
While the sticker price for private and out-of-state schools can look scary for sure, it’s important to remember that many students get considerable financial aid that makes attending a specific school more than worth it. In fact, Ulin says top tier schools like Harvard and Stanford are tough to crack as an applicant but offer generous financial aid packages or reduced tuition for families who can’t afford the steep sticker price.
There are other scenarios where students can pay the same or even less to attend a private or prestigious school than they would at public, in-state colleges as well. In many cases, students who qualify for a combination of merit aid and need-based aid can earn their degree for a very reasonable price, although individual results tend to vary.
That said, college consultant Tom O’Hare of Get College Going says to remember that private and elite universities understand their brand’s draw and the prestige of graduating from their institutions, so they tend to charge accordingly.
O’Hare also points out that some families forget to account for “hidden or soft costs” that come with attending a school across the country. These can include transportation, relocation, and living expenses, all of which families are stuck covering on their own.
How To Decide Between Schools
If you’re on the fence between a public in-state school and more expensive options, there are a range of factors to consider along the way. For example, you’ll want to consider your family’s financial situation and how it might impact aid you can qualify for — for better or for worse.
For example, Jeanne Huybrechts, Ed.D. of Stratford School says that families with a lower income may find they qualify for their dream school without breaking the bank.
“For families that qualify for significant need-based financial aid, well-endowed private colleges can sometimes be the most affordable of all, even if their full cost of attendance is the highest,” she says.
Huybrechts adds that some states offer reciprocal agreements that provide reduced tuition rates at public institutions for students from neighboring states. The Western Undergraduate Exchange is an example: this program allows students in the Western U.S. to attend participating out-of-state schools at no more than 150% of the in-state cost of attendance.
Dr. Cedric B. Howard also says students should consider both the short-term and long-term implications of attending an out-of-state or private school. How could facing higher costs now benefit them in the future?
In addition to answering this question, students should research how the school ranks regarding program quality, job placement rates, and alumni success.
“A higher cost may be justified if the degree offers significantly better career prospects or personal growth,” says Howard.
Unfortunately, the actual cost of college can be difficult to gauge until students fill out the FAFSA (and potentially CSS profile), apply to schools, and find out what kind of need-based aid and merit aid they can qualify for. Until that time comes, students can use the net price calculator for individual schools to get an idea of their out-of-pocket costs.
You can search for these calculators using the U.S. Department of Education’s net price calculator center. And remember, while private and out-of-state schools may have higher list prices, they also may offer more generous financial aid.
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