In-state tuition is the rate that students pay to attend a public or state college or university in their state of residence. Public schools receive state funding to help supplement costs and lower the rates learners pay, so students who attend in-state institutions often pay much less than out-of-state degree-seekers. In contrast, out-of-state tuition is the tuition rate students pay when attending a public college or university thats located outside their state of residence. The difference in cost between in-state and out-of-state tuition can be significant, with out-of-state tuition often costing double or triple the cost of in-state tuition. The reason for this difference is that public institutions receive state tax revenue to subsidize their expenses, so a student who has paid taxes in that state receives a lower tuition rate. Students who are coming from out-of-state have not contributed to the operations of public institutions in the state with their taxes and are therefore assigned a higher rate.

It is possible to get in-state tuition for out-of-state students, though each state has its own rules. Some ways a student can get in-state tuition include showing high academic achievement, owning property in the state, or working in the state for a certain period of time. The determination as to whether a student qualifies is made by the tuition classification officer at each college or university, and each college’s decision is binding only at that college. Exceptions are often made for military personnel, children of first responders killed or permanently disabled in the line of duty, orphans, students with dependents other than a spouse, teachers, and government employees. US citizenship or permanent residency is usually required for state residency for tuition purposes, and students with non-immigrant visas will generally not be considered.