Can out-of-state students get in-state tuition at a public university?

Yes, in several ways. The University of South Dakota charges its in-state rate to new students from 11 states. Minnesota has tuition reciprocity with Wisconsin, North Dakota and Manitoba. Some schools, like the University of South Carolina and Texas A&M, charge the in-state rate to out-of-state students who win certain scholarships. And regional exchanges like WUE cap out-of-state tuition at 150% of in-state for eligible students.

Is the University of Alaska Fairbanks free of out-of-state tuition?

Not yet. UAF says that starting in fall 2027, all students will receive the Alaska resident tuition rate, but the University of Alaska's own tuition page says final rates go to its Board of Regents for approval in November 2026. For 2026-27, out-of-state students still pay $30,450 in tuition and fees vs. $11,730 in-state.

Public Universities That Charge Out-of-State Students In-State Tuition (2026-27)

Q: Which states get in-state tuition at the University of South Dakota?

Through SD Advantage, new undergraduates from Colorado, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Wisconsin and Wyoming pay USD's in-state rate, as do children of USD alumni. For 2026-27 that's $9,916 a year instead of $13,616.

Public universities that charge out-of-state students in-state tuition are more common than most families realize. For 2026-27, the University of South Dakota charges its in-state rate to new students from 11 states, Minnesota and its neighbors trade students at reciprocity rates, and several schools drop the out-of-state surcharge for scholarship winners. Regional exchanges go further, capping out-of-state tuition at hundreds of public colleges. Here's how each route works, with every figure from the school's or program's own published information.

For the regular out-of-state rates these programs undercut, see out-of-state tuition at every public flagship.

Schools that charge in-state tuition to students from other states

University of South Dakota: SD Advantage

The University of South Dakota charges its in-state rate -- $9,916 in 2026-27 tuition and fees, vs. $13,616 for other out-of-state students -- to new undergraduates from Colorado, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Wisconsin and Wyoming, and to children of USD alumni anywhere. The rate applies only to incoming students from those states; it doesn't extend to students who first enrolled as regular non-residents.

University of Alaska Fairbanks: in-state rate for everyone from fall 2027 (pending)

The University of Alaska Fairbanks says that starting in fall 2027, all students will automatically receive the Alaska resident tuition rate, regardless of where they're from. The University of Alaska's own tuition page notes that the new structure goes to the Board of Regents for approval in November 2026, so it isn't final. For 2026-27, out-of-state students still pay $30,450 in tuition and fees (in-state: $11,730).

Tuition reciprocity between neighboring states

Minnesota. The University of Minnesota has reciprocity agreements with Wisconsin, North Dakota and Manitoba, whose residents can qualify for reciprocity rates that are lower than non-resident tuition and in some cases comparable to resident rates.
North Dakota. At the University of North Dakota, Minnesota residents pay a reduced base rate -- about $13,535 a year in tuition and fees for 2026-27, vs. $17,479 for other out-of-state students and $12,289 for North Dakotans.

Scholarships that cut the out-of-state surcharge

University of South Carolina. At USC Columbia, out-of-state students with a qualifying General University Scholarship are billed the resident rate of $6,144 a semester instead of $19,050; those with an eligible departmental scholarship pay $10,500 a semester.
Texas public universities. Texas lets its public universities charge in-state tuition to non-residents who win a qualifying competitive scholarship. At Texas A&M, undergraduates need at least $4,000 a year in competitive scholarships to qualify, and the number of waivers is capped by the state. Texas Tech lists the same kind of competitive-scholarship waiver on its cost pages.
University of Arkansas. The University of Arkansas's Non-Resident Tuition Award means recipients pay only 10%, 20%, 30% or 50% of the difference between in-state and out-of-state tuition.

Regional tuition exchanges

Four regional programs cut out-of-state tuition at participating public colleges. School pages on College Intel show which programs each school belongs to; for full school lists and how to apply, see tuition exchange programs explained.

Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE). Students from Western states pay no more than 150% of in-state tuition. Schools set their own GPA minimums and can exclude majors. Published 2026-27 WUE rates include University of Idaho $13,538 (regular out-of-state: $29,300), University of Nevada, Reno $15,770 ($31,268), University of Montana $13,774 ($34,894) and University of Hawaii at Manoa $18,554 ($34,706).
Midwest Student Exchange Program (MSEP). Residents of Indiana, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio and Wisconsin pay no more than 150% of in-state tuition in selected programs at participating schools, such as Ball State and Truman State.
Academic Common Market (ACM). Residents of 15 Southern states can pay in-state tuition for a major that no public college in their home state offers. Undergraduates at the University of Georgia and Auburn can only use it starting at the junior level.
New England Tuition Break. New England residents get a reduced out-of-state rate in approved majors at the region's public colleges. UConn's published 2026-27 Tuition Break rate is $30,592, vs. $44,242 for regular out-of-state students.

Before you count on any of these

Every program has conditions. Most limit eligibility by home state, major or GPA, and many require you to apply by a deadline or keep a minimum GPA.
Get it in writing. Ask the school's admissions or financial aid office to confirm the rate in your offer, not just on a website.
Compare the total. A school with a regular out-of-state rate under $30,000 can still beat an exchange rate elsewhere -- see the cheapest out-of-state flagships.