The Academic Common Market (ACM) is the South's tuition exchange, run by the Southern Regional Education Board (SREB), and it works differently from the others: instead of a general discount, it gives residents of 15 Southern states in-state tuition at a public college in another member state -- but only for a degree program their own state's public colleges don't offer. SREB lists more than 2,200 eligible undergraduate and graduate programs, but not every program is open to residents of every state.

For how the ACM compares with WUE, MSEP and New England's Tuition Break, see tuition exchange programs explained.

How to use the Academic Common Market

  1. Live in a participating state: Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia or West Virginia. (North Carolina left the program after a 2011 state appropriations act.)
  2. Find an eligible program in SREB's program search. The same major can be eligible for residents of one state and not another.
  3. Get admitted through the college's regular application -- to the specific program, with an acceptance letter that names it.
  4. Apply for certification through your home state's ACM coordinator, who confirms you're a resident. SREB doesn't manage or track applications; the process varies by state.

Schools that limit the ACM

Academic Common Market schools offering undergraduate programs (2026-27)

From SREB's participating-institutions list, checked October 2026. Graduate-only participants and standalone health-science centers are left out.

Alabama: Alabama A & M University, Alabama State University, Athens State University, Auburn University (from junior year), Auburn University Montgomery, Jacksonville State University, Troy University, University of Alabama at Birmingham, University of Alabama in Huntsville, University of North Alabama, University of South Alabama, University of West Alabama

Arkansas: Arkansas State University, Arkansas Tech University, University of Arkansas at Little Rock, University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville

Delaware: Delaware State University, University of Delaware

Florida: Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, Florida Atlantic University, Florida Gulf Coast University, Florida International University, Florida Polytechnic University, Florida State University, New College of Florida, University of Central Florida, University of Florida, University of North Florida, University of South Florida, University of West Florida

Georgia: Abraham Baldwin Agriculture College, Augusta University, Clayton State University, Georgia College & State University, Georgia Highlands College, Georgia Southern University, Georgia Southwestern State University, Kennesaw State University, Middle Georgia State University, Savannah State University, University of Georgia (from junior year), University of North Georgia, Valdosta State University

Kentucky: Eastern Kentucky University, Kentucky State University, Morehead State University, Murray State University, Northern Kentucky University, University of Kentucky, University of Louisville, Western Kentucky University

Louisiana: Grambling State University, Louisiana State University, Louisiana State University, Shreveport, Louisiana Tech University, McNeese State University, Nicholls State University, Northwestern State University, Southeastern Louisiana University, Southern University and A&M College, Southern University at New Orleans, University of Louisiana at Lafayette, University of Louisiana at Monroe, University of New Orleans

Maryland: Bowie State University, Coppin State University, Frostburg State University, Morgan State University, St. Mary's College of Maryland, University of Baltimore, University of Maryland, Baltimore, University of Maryland, Baltimore County

Mississippi: Delta State University, Jackson State University, Mississippi State University, Mississippi University for Women, Mississippi Valley State University, University of Mississippi, University of Southern Mississippi

Oklahoma: East Central University, Langston University, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Southeastern Oklahoma State University, Southwestern Oklahoma State University, University of Central Oklahoma, University of Oklahoma, University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma

South Carolina: Coastal Carolina University, Lander University, South Carolina State University, University of South Carolina - Aiken, University of South Carolina - Beaufort, University of South Carolina - Columbia, University of South Carolina - Upstate, Winthrop University

Tennessee: Austin Peay State University, East Tennessee State University, Middle Tennessee State University, Tennessee State University, Tennessee Tech University, University of Memphis, University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, University of Tennessee at Martin, University of Tennessee, Knoxville

Texas: Angelo State University, East Texas A&M University, Lamar University, Midwestern State University, Prairie View A&M University, Sam Houston State University, Stephen F. Austin State University, Texas A&M International University, Texas A&M University, Texas A&M University-Kingsville, Texas A&M University-Victoria, Texas State University, Texas Tech University, Texas Woman's University, University of Houston, University of Houston, Clear Lake, University of North Texas, University of Texas at Arlington, University of Texas at Dallas, University of Texas at El Paso, University of Texas at San Antonio, University of Texas at Tyler

Virginia: College of William and Mary, Longwood University, Norfolk State University, Old Dominion University, Radford University, Virginia State University

West Virginia: Bluefield State University, Concord University, Fairmont State University, Glenville State University, Marshall University, Shepherd University, West Liberty University

Because ACM eligibility is tied to one program, check with your state coordinator before switching majors. For other ways to pay less as an out-of-state student, see public universities that charge out-of-state students in-state tuition.