New England's Tuition Break -- formally NEBHE's Regional Student Program -- gives residents of the six New England states a reduced out-of-state rate at public colleges in the other five, as long as they enroll in an approved program. NEBHE says 66 public colleges and universities take part and that students saved an average of $8,500 in 2024-25. Thirty-two of the participants are four-year schools, from UConn and UMass Amherst to the state colleges.
For how Tuition Break compares with WUE, MSEP and the Academic Common Market, see tuition exchange programs explained.
Published Tuition Break rates vs. regular out-of-state tuition (2026-27)
Most schools don't publish one Tuition Break price, but these do. Figures are each school's own 2026-27 tuition and fees (Rhode Island's is a combined figure from its admissions page).
| School | Tuition Break rate | Regular out-of-state | Savings |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Maine | $24,230 | $39,410 | $15,180 |
| University of Rhode Island | $29,844 | $39,746 | $9,902 |
| UConn | $30,592 | $44,242 | $13,650 |
| University of New Hampshire | $32,400 | $41,864 | $9,464 |
UMass Amherst doesn't publish a single rate; it takes $289 per credit off out-of-state tuition for eligible New England students, or an out-of-state merit award instead -- not both.
How Tuition Break works
- It's program-specific. NEBHE publishes each school's approved programs every year. A program is open to residents of the states listed next to it; programs marked "[F]" are fully flexible and open to all New England residents.
- You must be a New England resident enrolling at a public college in another New England state.
- Ask the school how it's billed. At UMass Amherst, for example, the bill shows full out-of-state tuition with the regional discount (or a merit award) applied.
Four-year Tuition Break schools (2026-27)
From NEBHE's list of participating colleges and universities, checked October 2026. Community colleges and law and medical schools are left out.
Connecticut: Central Connecticut State University, Eastern Connecticut State University, Southern Connecticut State University, University of Connecticut, Western Connecticut State University
Maine: Maine Maritime Academy, University of Maine, University of Maine at Augusta, University of Maine at Farmington, University of Maine at Machias, University of Southern Maine
Massachusetts: Bridgewater State University, Fitchburg State University, Framingham State University, Massachusetts College of Art and Design, Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts, Massachusetts Maritime Academy, Salem State University, University of Massachusetts Amherst, University of Massachusetts Boston, University of Massachusetts Dartmouth, University of Massachusetts Lowell, Westfield State University, Worcester State University
New Hampshire: Keene State College, Plymouth State University, University of New Hampshire, University of New Hampshire at Manchester
Rhode Island: Rhode Island College, University of Rhode Island
Vermont: University of Vermont, Vermont State University
For other ways to pay less out of state -- and for flagships outside New England -- see public universities that charge out-of-state students in-state tuition.