We Crunched the Numbers and Found the Best College Bargains in Each State
I always knew I’d end up at Florida State University.
My dad and older brother are diehard Seminoles — FSU alumni — and I’d grown up visiting the campus every year. If I had elected to attend, say, the University of Florida (the arch enemy of any Seminole), I might have been permanently excommunicated from the family.
Well, I went to FSU. And even did a victory lap (an extra two semesters) so I could enjoy the campus one more year. But here’s the big question from a now-Penny Hoarder’s point of view: Did I get the most bang for my buck at the Tallahassee campus?
Personally, I think I did. But I had a unique experience in that I was going to school purely on scholarship money, and slinging sushi at a Japanese restaurant to pay for everything else. So thankfully, I’m not grappling with a chunk of the $1.4 trillion in student loan debt the rest of the country is.
By now, student loans — and the debt borrowers face later — are a part of life. So I was curious: Which colleges give you the best bang for your tuition? Mainly, where can you go that you’ll have the best shot after graduation at living comfortably while paying off your student loans?
Luckily, there’s data for that. (See below for the methodology.)
We analyzed annual tuition cost, net cost, enrollment, acceptance rates and other factors for every college with available data to produce a “bang-for-your-buck ratio.” The higher the ratio, the further your tuition dollars will go.
But we went an extra step and plucked out the best-value four-year school as well as the best bang-for-your buck trade school or community college, since those are both great options with a huge shortfall in the availability of workers for infrastructure jobs. And we did it for every state.
Of course, there are a variety of factors, from choice of major to the metro area where a graduate finds a job, that can influence earnings. So make sure to do plenty of research on what your needs are before applying to one of these schools.
And be sure to do as many things as possible to save money while in college.
As you’ll see when you scroll down to Florida, I didn’t necessarily pick the school with the best bang for its buck. But, you know, at least I’m still allowed to attend Thanksgiving with my family.
Methodology
College Scorecard, an online college-comparison tool created by the U.S. government, has information on everything from tuition cost to student loan default rate by race — the perfect starting point to determine where college tuition will take you the furthest.
We dug into the hundreds of megabytes of data and used a statistical technique to weight the following factors:
- Enrollment.
- Acceptance rate.
- Average net cost (the total cost of attending college, including tuition, books and housing, minus scholarships and other financial aid).
- In-state tuition cost.
- Median earnings 10 years after graduation.
- Student loan default rate.
To see your state, select a link from the table below.
Alabama
I know the rabid “Roll-Tiders” of the University of Alabama will probably skewer me for this, but the school just doesn’t stack up when it comes to value. But, fortunately for Alabamians whose families won’t kick them out them for going anywhere but ’Bama, the state does have plenty of options for low-cost, high-reward schools.
The ratio of school cost to earnings is about is about nine percentage points lower for Alabama schools than for the U.S. as a whole, and the median net cost of universities is more than $3,200 less than in the rest if the country. So, if you live in ’Bama, go to school in ’Bama — but maybe look at schools other than the University of ’Bama.
Enrollment: 16,208
Admission Rate: 68.2%
In-State Tuition: $7,275
Average Net Cost: $11,192 (Includes books, housing, etc., less scholarships and other aid)
Median Earnings: $36,660
George C. Wallace State Community College-Dothan
Enrollment: 4,293
Admission Rate: N/A
In-State Tuition: $3,900
Average Net Cost: $2,681
Median Earnings: $27,100
Alaska
There’s not much to say about universities in Alaska other than… well you don’t have a ton of options. Ten, to be exact. But, of those schools, the median bang-for-your-buck ratio is the best in the country, and half of Alaskan university graduates earn more than $40,000 10 years after graduation.
That’s the second most out of all 50 states.
University of Alaska Anchorage
Enrollment: 13,116
Admission Rate: N/A
In-State Tuition: $5,147
Average Net Cost: $8,160
Median Earnings: $42,000
Arizona
For such a populous state, with 125 universities, I would have expected the competition to lure graduates would keep costs low and academic payoff high. But, the bang-for-your-buck ratio is 15 points lower than the rest of the U.S.
Still, the top community or trade school on our list in this state does deliver a whopping value for its students.
Enrollment: 38,480
Admission Rate: 80.23%
In-State Tuition: $9,861
Average Net Cost: $11,480
Median Earnings: $45,200
Enrollment: 26,600
Admission Rate: N/A
In-State Tuition: $1,724
Average Net Cost: $2,759
Median Earnings: $30,100
Arkansas
Arkansas has great trade schools, and its college value is greater than the U.S. average. And that’s considering graduates of this state’s schools generally make less on average than their peers in other states.
So if you love the Ozarks, consider school in this southern state.
Enrollment: 8,734
Admission Rate: 85%
In-State Tuition: $5,598
Average Net Cost: $9,128
Median Earnings: $35,000
Northwest Arkansas Community College
Enrollment: 6,698
Admission Rate: N/A
In-State Tuition: $2,998
Average Net Cost: $6,846
Median Earnings: $32,300
California
California is the first state on the list to demonstrate a trend you’ll see several times from now on: The best value usually comes from a satellite campus of a well-known school. This is usually because it’s cheaper to live in, or commute to, that area.
Despite the wealth of satellite campuses at schools like Cal State, California still scores low on value in our analysis. But, you know, it’s freaking California, man. In my eyes, the weather and surf more than make up for it.
California State University, Los Angeles
Enrollment: 17,042
Admission Rate: 67.5%
In-State Tuition: $6,344
Average Net Cost: $44,900
Median Earnings: $32,300
Enrollment: 17,042
Admission Rate: N/A
In-State Tuition: $1,387
Average Net Cost: $2,288
Median Earnings: $32,300
Colorado
Colorado is gorgeous, and its universities deliver just about the same value (remember, the ratio of annual tuition to earnings after graduation) as the rest of the country. But, it also has one of the highest gaps in costs between in-state and out-of-state students.
So, unless you already live here, consider a university in your own state — unless that state is Arizona, that is.
Enrollment: 10,470
Admission Rate: 75.9%
In-State Tuition: $7,933
Average Net Cost: $13,594
Median Earnings: $73,800
Enrollment: 8,920
Admission Rate: N/A
In-State Tuition: $3,063
Average Net Cost: $8,792
Median Earnings: $35,200
Connecticut
For a northeastern state with lots of old money, I expected Connecticut’s costs to outweigh the eventual earning benefits for graduates. But, with annual earnings 10 years after graduation at roughly $36,000 and average net prices of $15,700, the state is right around the national average in its bang-for-your-buck ratio.
University of Connecticut-Tri-Campus
Enrollment: 2,382
Admission Rate: 42%
In-State Tuition: $10,056
Average Net Cost: $13,099
Median Earnings: $53,900
Enrollment: 6,773
Admission Rate: N/A
In-State Tuition: $3,786
Average Net Cost: $4,319
Median Earnings: $35,200
Delaware
There are only 12 universities in Delaware with public data on after-graduation earnings and tuition, so there isn’t a big sample to find the best bang for your buck. But the state does have a slightly greater value for college students than the country as a whole.
And I was surprised to find some really great trade schools in Delaware, a state known for its massive financial sector.
Enrollment: 17,729
Admission Rate: 64.7%
In-State Tuition: $12,112
Average Net Cost: $15,998
Median Earnings: $54,300
Delaware Technical Community College
Enrollment: 6,492
Admission Rate: N/A
In-State Tuition: $3,380
Average Net Cost: $4,963
Median Earnings: $33,500
Florida
If you visit Florida, most folks you see will be sporting one of three color patterns: garnet and gold, blue and orange or green and orange, the colors of Florida State University, the University of Florida and the University of Miami, respectively.
But several overlooked schools are making waves in academics and sports. The University of Central Florida is the largest university in the state, and the University of South Florida is getting more and more recognition. But of all the rivalries, the school that will give students the best bang for your buck has arguably the most Florida of mascots: the gator.
(That’s not saying much, given Florida has the fifth lowest bang-for-your buck ratio in the country.)
Enrollment: 32,346
Admission Rate: 46.6%
In-State Tuition: $6,263
Average Net Cost: $12,582
Median Earnings: $51,300
Enrollment: 26,106
Admission Rate: N/A
In-State Tuition: $2,378
Average Net Cost: $2,557
Median Earnings: $31,500
Georgia
Georgia’s bang-for-your-buck ratio, tuition costs and graduate earnings are all right around the U.S. average. But it has a high ratio of trade schools that add some additional value, at least in my view.
Georgia Institute of Technology
Enrollment: 13,975
Admission Rate: 54.9%
In-State Tuition: $10,650
Average Net Cost: $11,053
Median Earnings: $74,000
Enrollment: 5,324
Admission Rate: N/A
In-State Tuition: $2,720
Average Net Cost: $5,993
Median Earnings: $34,100
Hawaii
This came as a shock: It’s surprisingly affordable to go to college in Hawaii. When you take housing, books, scholarships and other financial aspects into consideration, the median annual cost of a university in this state is about $11,200, which is more than $4,000 less than the U.S. median.
It’s paradise. But come on, it’ll be so expensive for your parents to send those care packages across the Pacific Ocean.
Enrollment: 14,097
Admission Rate: 80.1%
In-State Tuition: $29,904
Average Net Cost: $11,102
Median Earnings: $33,300
Enrollment: 6,025
Admission Rate: N/A
In-State Tuition: $2,604
Average Net Cost: $4,388
Median Earnings: $33,300
Idaho
Idaho is another state that has a few options for university value, but as a whole doesn’t offer the same bang for your buck you’ll get in other states. In this state, the median bang-for-your-buck ratio is around 37%, while the U.S. as a whole sits at 51%.
Still, the average admission rate for Idaho colleges is 20 points higher than the rest of the country, so there’s more opportunity for those of us who slacked a bit in high school.
No trade school or community college made the grade, so we’re including only one recommendation.
Brigham Young University – Idaho
Enrollment: 20,208
Admission Rate: 99.6%
In-State Tuition: $3,850
Average Net Cost: $7,409
Median Earnings: $39,000
Illinois
Illinois universities largely fall in line with the value of U.S. colleges as a whole when it comes to the payoff graduates get from the investment. But for those looking for a cheaper, or more hands-on type of learning, trade schools and two-year universities outnumber traditional colleges by nearly three-to-one.
University of Illinois at Chicago
Enrollment: 16,601
Admission Rate: 71.4%
In-State Tuition: $13,410
Average Net Cost: $13,656
Median Earnings: $51,600
Enrollment: 9,184
Admission Rate: N/A
In-State Tuition: $3,452
Average Net Cost: $4,657
Median Earnings: $31,300
Indiana
For a Midwest state, I was surprised to find that Indiana was actually a pretty expensive place to go to college. The median net price, which includes housing, books and other costs, is more than $18,700 a year. That’s $3,200 more than the rest of the country.
Still, at $33,200, median annual earnings for Indiana college graduates is slightly greater than that of the U.S. And this state is another one with plenty of trade schools and community colleges that won’t break the bank.
Enrollment: 30,167
Admission Rate: 60.4%
In-State Tuition: $9,992
Average Net Cost: $15,543
Median Earnings: $52,600
Enrollment: 87,017
Admission Rate: N/A
In-State Tuition: $3,605
Average Net Cost: $8,911
Median Earnings: $28,400
Iowa
Cue the “Music Man” song. (Actually don’t, or it will be stuck in your head for the next 24 hours.) Iowa has roughly the same acceptance rate and bang for your buck as the country as a whole.
So if you already live in the Hawkeye State, you might want consider staying for your next chapter.
Enrollment: 21,314
Admission Rate: 80.2%
In-State Tuition: $7,726
Average Net Cost: $14,336
Median Earnings: $47,200
Iowa Central Community College
Enrollment: 3,494
Admission Rate: N/A
In-State Tuition: $4,520
Average Net Cost: $7,465
Median Earnings: $32,700
Kansas
Kansas colleges generally deliver better value than the rest of the U.S., their graduates make more annually a decade after school and it has a higher acceptance rate. But of all the states we analyzed, Kansas also had the 10th lowest premium for out-of-state tuition.
So if you’re looking to get away from your parents — but not go Hawaii far — you’ll still get major value out of attending a school in Kansas.
Enrollment: 5,320
Admission Rate: N/A
In-State Tuition: $5,774
Average Net Cost: $11,215
Median Earnings: $37,900
Enrollment: 1,777
Admission Rate: N/A
In-State Tuition: $2,610
Average Net Cost: $5,007
Median Earnings: $33,200
Kentucky
Kentucky had one school that threw off our analysis for a second: Berea College.
Berea College has a huge bang for its buck, with the average student paying a net cost of about $1,776 a year and coming away earning more than $34,000 a year. The school has a sticker price of about $23,100 a year, but it’s one of the only colleges with a “no-tuition pledge”: Once you’re accepted, you don’t pay anything. But it has a 34% acceptance rate and less than 2,000 students, so we had to pass on it.
If you throw that school out of the analysis, Kentucky actually has a low bang-for-your-buck rating.
Enrollment: 11,976
Admission Rate: 46.7%
In-State Tuition: $8,376
Average Net Cost: $8,753
Median Earnings: $36,100
Southcentral Kentucky Community and Technical College
Enrollment: 3,122
Admission Rate: N/A
In-State Tuition: $3,456
Average Net Cost: $6,327
Median Earnings: $29,200
Louisiana
Louisiana is another state that had its big college’s satellite campuses dominating the top of the list. As you know, I went to Florida State — once ranked the No. 1 party school in the country — and I can tell you the main campus “true college experience” isn’t worth the premium you’re paying for it.
Sorry, Baton Rouge, but I’d take Shreveport over the fratmosphere.
Louisiana State University-Shreveport
Enrollment: 2,796
Admission Rate: 83.5%
In-State Tuition: $5,606
Average Net Cost: $7,436
Median Earnings: $36,700
Enrollment: 17,467
Admission Rate: N/A
In-State Tuition: $3,302
Average Net Cost: $6,592
Median Earnings: $28,200
Maine
Maine happens to be a super expensive state to live in, which drives up the net cost a student will pay to go to college there.
Even with private colleges like Bowdoin, Bates and Colby offering generous scholarships (that generally bring their per-year costs from $45,000 down to $25,000), the median difference between sticker and actual price is $3,689 a year.
Enrollment: 8,619
Admission Rate: 81%
In-State Tuition: $10,600
Average Net Cost: $16,831
Median Earnings: $38,700
Central Maine Community College
Enrollment: 2,531
Admission Rate: N/A
In-State Tuition: $3,630
Average Net Cost: $8,612
Median Earnings: $33,300
Maryland
Graduates of Maryland colleges make a lot more than the average U.S. graduate 10 years after school. The median annual earnings of a former Maryland university student are around $38,000, which dwarfs the $31,000 of the country as a whole.
But with net costs soaring above $16,000 a year, the bang for your buck of Maryland’s universities is pretty average. Those crabs, though.
University of Maryland University College
Enrollment: 26,006
Admission Rate: N/A
In-State Tuition: $6,552
Average Net Cost: $9,358
Median Earnings: $50,700
Enrollment: 3,583
Admission Rate: N/A
In-State Tuition: $3,302
Average Net Cost: $4,157
Median Earnings: $35,800
Massachusetts
It’s got Harvard and MIT, but Massachusetts doesn’t have much in the way of value in its colleges. With the eighth lowest bang-for-your-buck ratio in the U.S., Massachusetts also has the third highest annual tuition costs.
But, if you’re looking to pick up one of those cool Boston accents, it might be worth the price.
University of Massachusetts Boston
Enrollment: 11,786
Admission Rate: 71.4%
In-State Tuition: $11,966
Average Net Cost: $11,741
Median Earnings: $45,800
Enrollment: 8,871
Admission Rate: N/A
In-State Tuition: $4,274
Average Net Cost: $4,047
Median Earnings: $35,800
Michigan
When it comes to pretty much any measure, Michigan schools fall around the middle of the rest of the U.S. Hey, there’s nothing wrong with being average, my mom used to tell me that all the time!
Michigan is another case of the best value coming from satellite campuses, and the state has plenty. There are also 95 trade schools and community colleges from which to choose.
University of Michigan-Dearborn
Enrollment: 6,793
Admission Rate: 62.8%
In-State Tuition: $10,614
Average Net Cost: $9,800
Median Earnings: $47,400
Enrollment: 9,535
Admission Rate: N/A
In-State Tuition: $3,140
Average Net Cost: $4,310
Median Earnings: $31,000
Minnesota
Like most states, community and technical colleges dominated the top 10 universities where you’ll get your money’s worth.
But, one nontraditional school stuck out: Metropolitan State University, which actually ended up No. 1 on our initial list. It’s designed for older, working students and offers night classes. It seems like a great option for folks who are looking for a career change, but we were trying to stick to traditional bachelor’s-degree institutions for this list.
Minnesota State University, Mankato
Enrollment: 12,542
Admission Rate: 65.6%
In-State Tuition: $7,557
Average Net Cost: $14,161
Median Earnings: $42,700
Enrollment: 9,484
Admission Rate: N/A
In-State Tuition: $5,360
Average Net Cost: $9,601
Median Earnings: $35,000
Mississippi
In Mississippi, more than two-thirds of universities are certificate or associate institutions, so there are lots of options for cheaper community colleges. But that also means if you’re looking for a four-year degree, the options are limited.
On our initial list, the top three four-year schools included a university for women only and two private schools.
Enrollment: 16,432
Admission Rate: 59.4%
In-State Tuition: $6,760
Average Net Cost: $13,858
Median Earnings: $40,600
Enrollment: 5,170
Admission Rate: 85.7%
In-State Tuition: $2,630
Average Net Cost: $573
Median Earnings: $38,100
Missouri
Missouri college graduates tend to earn less than the national average but spend about $4,000 more on their education, making this state one of the lower bang-for-your-buck states on our list.
Missouri University of Science and Technology
Enrollment: 6,064
Admission Rate: 82.2%
In-State Tuition: $9,510
Average Net Cost: $15,153
Median Earnings: $65,500
Enrollment: 6,744
Admission Rate: N/A
In-State Tuition: $2,400
Average Net Cost: $3,454
Median Earnings: $32,000
Montana
Montana is another state that just doesn’t have a huge university system. Heck, there are probably more bison than college kids in this state.
So, while it might not make the best choice for an out-of-state option, if you already live in Big Sky Country, there’s at least one good school choice to get the most for your cash.
No university met our criteria, so we’re offering only one recommendation.
Montana Tech of the University of Montana (Now Montana Technological University)
Enrollment: 1,825
Admission Rate: 88.9%
In-State Tuition: $6,464
Average Net Cost: $11,619
Median Earnings: $39,800
Nebraska
Nothing against Nebraska (my sister-in-law’s family hails from Lincoln), but pulling any striking statistics about the state was tough. In bang-for-your-buck ratio, Nebraska schools came in at 26th place, and in average net price they were 25th in the country — dead in the middle.
But the state’s admission rate was in the bottom half of the country, so be on the lookout when spending valuable time filling out applications.
Enrollment: 12,153
Admission Rate: 70.8%
In-State Tuition: $6,550
Average Net Cost: $12,532
Median Earnings: $41,800
Enrollment: 7,512
Admission Rate: N/A
In-State Tuition: $2,554
Average Net Cost: $7,555
Median Earnings: $35,200
Nevada
Nevada may be a great state for gambling, hiking and the outdoors and settling into suburban life. But it’s not the best state when it comes to value for your college education.
Nevada has the fourth lowest bang-for-your-buck ratio. Ouch. But it does have the No. 1 average admission rate in the U.S. So, there’s that.
University of Nevada, Las Vegas
Enrollment: 22,742
Admission Rate: 85.1%
In-State Tuition: $6,690
Average Net Cost: $11,159
Median Earnings: $43,500
Enrollment: 29,848
Admission Rate: N/A
In-State Tuition: $2,700
Average Net Cost: $6,932
Median Earnings: $31,900
New Hampshire
New Hampshire has one of the highest average school cost-earnings ratio, making it among the worst states when it comes to bang-for-your-buck universities. If you absolutely have to go to school in this state, well, you don’t have many options outside of Dartmouth.
Enrollment: 1,680
Admission Rate: N/A
In-State Tuition: $7,065
Average Net Cost: $14,515
Median Earnings: $32,100
Enrollment: 2,026
Admission Rate: N/A
In-State Tuition: $7,232
Average Net Cost: $14,204
Median Earnings: $34,500
New Jersey
I’ve got a soft spot for New Jersey. My mom’s family hails from Cape May, and I nearly went to Rutgers at the urging of my great uncle, who offered to let me stay with him rent-free. I’m sort of glad I didn’t take him up on that offer since it’s in the bottom 10 states in the country when it comes to tuition value.
Enrollment: 6,748
Admission Rate: 54%
In-State Tuition: $12,998
Average Net Cost: $12,762
Median Earnings: $54,800
Enrollment: 11,150
Admission Rate: N/A
In-State Tuition: $3,380
Average Net Cost: $4,065
Median Earnings: $31,000
New Mexico
New Mexico is ranked No. 8 on our list of states with the highest average bang-for-your-buck ratio. So if you go to school here, it won’t be a “Breaking Bad” investment. Eh? Eh?
All joking aside, the state also has good technical and trade schools for your money.
Enrollment: 20,847
Admission Rate: 64.6%
In-State Tuition: $6,846
Average Net Cost: $8,126
Median Earnings: $35,900
Central New Mexico Community College
Enrollment: 25,090
Admission Rate: N/A
In-State Tuition: $1,364
Average Net Cost: $3,961
Median Earnings: $30,200
New York
With most of the big colleges clustered in and around New York City, you know you’ll be dropping major dime going to school here. (I’ve written about the cost of living in this big city. So it shouldn’t come as a surprise that New York colleges won’t deliver the value you’d see somewhere like New Mexico.
But New York also has one of the lowest premiums for out-of-state tuition. So if it’s your dream to spend your college years in the Big Apple, I say go for it.
Enrollment: 14,424
Admission Rate: 37%
In-State Tuition: $6,207
Average Net Cost: $5,527
Median Earnings: $48,000
CUNY Queensborough Community College
Enrollment: 14,345
Admission Rate: N/A
In-State Tuition: $4,540
Average Net Cost: $4,563
Median Earnings: $35,900
North Carolina
North Carolina is one of several southern states with colleges that will deliver the best bang for your tuition bucks. One thing we noticed through this analysis was that you see a lot more large state schools with major tuition value at their main campuses in the South.
So if you’re looking for the traditional college experience, look to the Carolinas.
North Carolina State University
Enrollment: 22,977
Admission Rate: 50%
In-State Tuition: $8,206
Average Net Cost: $13,164
Median Earnings: $47,500
Fayetteville Technical Community College
Enrollment: 10,681
Admission Rate: N/A
In-State Tuition: $2,378
Average Net Cost: $4,667
Median Earnings: $27,700
North Dakota
There are only about 30 colleges in North Dakota, but this frigid state ranks No. 10 on our bang-for-your-buck list. But, with the mining boom turning bust in the past year, there’s not as much opportunity once you get out of college.
So make sure to keep that in mind.
Enrollment: 11,629
Admission Rate: 84.1%
In-State Tuition: $7,660
Average Net Cost: $14,404
Median Earnings: $46,300
Enrollment: 3,233
Admission Rate: N/A
In-State Tuition: $3,487
Average Net Cost: $7,968
Median Earnings: $38,100
Ohio
It took quite a while to sift through Ohio universities to find a four-year degree institution that fit our criteria when we analyzed this state. That means you’re not going to get a ton of value from going to a big school in Ohio, but, there are still plenty of affordable satellite campuses and community colleges in the Buckeye State.
Enrollment: 15,440
Admission Rate: 90.7%
In-State Tuition: $9,275
Average Net Cost: $14,595
Median Earnings: $40,200
Lorain County Community College
Enrollment: 10,582
Admission Rate: N/A
In-State Tuition: $2,977
Average Net Cost: $3,769
Median Earnings: $28,700
Oklahoma
Oklahoma rounded out No. 10 on the state list of the best value colleges. And considering the state’s economy is outpacing the rest of the country, there’s also value in staying in the area after you graduate.
Oklahoma City has a ton of opportunity, especially in the tech sector, and it happens to be one of the few cities where workers have actually seen growing wages.
Enrollment: 7,215
Admission Rate: 73.4%
In-State Tuition: $4,992
Average Net Cost: $6,668
Median Earnings: $35,000
Oklahoma State University-Oklahoma City
Enrollment: 6,529
Admission Rate: N/A
In-State Tuition: $2,661
Average Net Cost: $4,575
Median Earnings: $34,400
Oregon
Oregon school graduates on average earn less than $30,000 a year 10 years after graduation, which isn’t the best payoff when schools cost around $13,800 a year on average.
Of course, if you’re a “Goonies” fanboy like me, it might be worth it to be able to daytrip to where they filmed the movie in Astoria.
Oregon Institute of Technology
Enrollment: 3,443
Admission Rate: 71.4%
In-State Tuition: $8,548
Average Net Cost: $13,809
Median Earnings: $50,100
Enrollment: 7,355
Admission Rate: N/A
In-State Tuition: $4,133
Average Net Cost: $4,246
Median Earnings: $33,800
Pennsylvania
Ah, Pennsylvania, the state where you have to go to a government-run liquor store for your Natural Light. OK, so maybe this isn’t the best state for partiers.
And unfortunately, the state as a whole ranks in the bottom 10% in terms of bang for your buck. This is largely driven by lower than average salaries after college.
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Abington
Enrollment: 3,231
Admission Rate: 77.7%
In-State Tuition: $13,608
Average Net Cost: $13,276
Median Earnings: $47,500
Northampton County Area Community College (Now Northampton Community College)
Enrollment: 10,114
Admission Rate: N/A
In-State Tuition: $3,690
Average Net Cost: $6,052
Median Earnings: $32,500
Rhode Island
Rhode Island is small. So it’s no surprise that there are only 22 universities in the state.
But nearly half of all of them are traditional four-year universities — including pricy private colleges like Brown University and Providence College. So if you’re looking for affordability or for a more technical career route, you may want to look in another part of the country.
Enrollment: 7,253
Admission Rate: 69.2%
In-State Tuition: $7,602
Average Net Cost: $9,938
Median Earnings: $39,600
Community College of Rhode Island
Enrollment: 16,856
Admission Rate: N/A
In-State Tuition: $3,950
Average Net Cost: $6,552
Median Earnings: $29,100
South Carolina
Of all the southern states besides Florida (if you’d even consider that the South), South Carolina has the lowest average bang-for-your-buck ratio across schools. With an average net cost of more than $15,000 but earnings of less than $28,000 10 years after graduation, South Carolinians might want to consider out-of-state options for the best tuition value.
Enrollment: 16,801
Admission Rate: 57.9%
In-State Tuition: $13,054
Average Net Cost: $12,377
Median Earnings: $49,400
Enrollment: 15,747
Admission Rate: N/A
In-State Tuition: $3,822
Average Net Cost: $6,433
Median Earnings: $29,100
South Dakota
In South Dakota, where traditional four-year schools outnumber community colleges and trade schools, you’ll get more value out of most colleges than half the country. And with one of the lowest unemployment rates in the U.S. — 2.6% — you’ll also get a boost in economic opportunity if you stay in the region after you graduate.
South Dakota School of Mines & Technology
Enrollment: 2,194
Admission Rate: 86.1%
In-State Tuition: $10,040
Average Net Cost: $16,443
Median Earnings: $52,300
Enrollment: 1,136
Admission Rate: N/A
In-State Tuition: $4,296
Average Net Cost: $11,327
Median Earnings: $38,000
Tennessee
Tennessee has twice the number of trade schools and community colleges as four-year universities, which makes sense given the state’s reliance on the manufacturing industry (compared with other states.)
But when you single out bachelor’s-degree institutions, Tennessee’s bang for your buck is well below the national average.
The University of Tennessee at Martin
Enrollment: 6,554
Admission Rate: 76.7%
In-State Tuition: $7,507
Average Net Cost: $6,933
Median Earnings: $34,800
Nashville State Community College
Enrollment: 8,349
Admission Rate: N/A
In-State Tuition: $3,561
Average Net Cost: $6,316
Median Earnings: $30,100
Texas
Texas is a great choice if you’re going to school purely for the college football atmosphere. But it doesn’t deliver the tuition value of other states. It ended up in the bottom 15 states in our bang-for-your-buck analysis.
However, because it’s a big state, Texas has plenty of worthwhile college choices. As in other large states, the best value can be found at satellite campuses of major universities.
The University of Texas at El Paso
Enrollment: 19,527
Admission Rate: 99.8%
In-State Tuition: $7,255
Average Net Cost: $7,586
Median Earnings: $39,800
Enrollment: 18,034
Admission Rate: N/A
In-State Tuition: $3,246
Average Net Cost: $1,357
Median Earnings: $29,100
Utah
Utah was just about the biggest surprise. In past stories, we’ve found Utah super affordable and filled with plenty of job opportunities. But when it comes to universities, the state just doesn’t measure up to the rest of the U.S.
With average earnings at $29,700 and annual tuition at $16,000, Utah came in third to last on our bang-for-your-buck list. But as you’ll see below, there are some hidden gems around the Great Salt Lake.
Enrollment: 24,243
Admission Rate: N/A
In-State Tuition: $5,086
Average Net Cost: $9,642
Median Earnings: $43,500
Enrollment: 24,494
Admission Rate: N/A
In-State Tuition: $3,342
Average Net Cost: $7,169
Median Earnings: $36,200
Vermont
On average, it costs about $21,400 each year to attend college in Vermont. And while earnings after graduation, roughly $35,000, are pretty high, they don’t justify the cost and knock Vermont down to sixth-from-last on our bang-for-your-buck list.
Enrollment: 9,970
Admission Rate: 77.6%
In-State Tuition: $15,718
Average Net Cost: $14,876
Median Earnings: $44,000
Enrollment: 4,401
Admission Rate: N/A
In-State Tuition: $4,668
Average Net Cost: $10,159
Median Earnings: $25,400
Virginia
There are some really great schools in Virginia, and the state comes in at No. 16 in average earnings after graduation. Unfortunately, it’s also one of the priciest places to attend college, knocking it way down on our list of the best bang-for-your-buck college states.
Enrollment: 31,324
Admission Rate: 62%
In-State Tuition: $9,908
Average Net Cost: $18,305
Median Earnings: $57,000
Enrollment: 6,402
Admission Rate: N/A
In-State Tuition: $3,970
Average Net Cost: $6,594
Median Earnings: $25,400
Washington
Washington comes in at No. 5 in our state-by-state analysis of the best places for tuition value. This state also has the fifth highest average admission rate, which means you’ve got a better chance of ending up at the school of your choice.
One thing to know about Washington: It also has the highest premium for out-of-state students, so you may want to reconsider jumping states to go to college here.
Enrollment: 28,754
Admission Rate: 55.2%
In-State Tuition: $12,397
Average Net Cost: $11,904
Median Earnings: $52,100
Seattle Community College-North Campus (Now North Seattle College)
Enrollment: 2,752
Admission Rate: N/A
In-State Tuition: $3,861
Average Net Cost: $2,864
Median Earnings: $34,500
West Virginia
West Virginia has the third lowest average net cost for a year of tuition — $9,645 — but comes in at No. 19 on our state-by-state list of college value. That’s because median earnings 10 years after college are middling compared with the rest of the country.
Enrollment: 22,130
Admission Rate: 85.1%
In-State Tuition: $6,456
Average Net Cost: $10,449
Median Earnings: $43,900
West Virginia University at Parkersburg (Not affiliated with West Virginia University)
Enrollment: 2,043
Admission Rate: N/A
In-State Tuition: $2,712
Average Net Cost: $7,323
Median Earnings: $29,200
Wisconsin
Wisconsin has nearly 50 technical, trade and certificate schools that train students for high-paying jobs after graduation. A push by the U.S. Department of Labor to encourage apprenticeships and a looming infrastructure crisis combine to give that education plenty of value — even though in bang for your buck, it’s about in the middle of the pack.
University of Wisconsin-Whitewater
Enrollment: 10,438
Admission Rate: 84.7%
In-State Tuition: $7,578
Average Net Cost: $13,183
Median Earnings: $41,200
Enrollment: 7,027
Admission Rate: N/A
In-State Tuition: $4,152
Average Net Cost: $8,118
Median Earnings: $35,200
Wyoming
Wyoming is last on this list, but certainly not least when it comes to college value. Although it has the fewest number of colleges we used in this analysis — 11 — all of the schools deliver a great bang for your buck.
Wyoming came in second to Alaska in the state analysis of the best tuition value and No. 1 in average net price.
Enrollment: 9,969
Admission Rate: 95.7%
In-State Tuition: $4,404
Average Net Cost: $11,292
Median Earnings: $46,200
Enrollment: 2,771
Admission Rate: N/A
In-State Tuition: $2,448
Average Net Cost: $3,316
Median Earnings: $32,900
Alex Mahadevan is a data journalist at The Penny Hoarder. Go ‘Noles!
