2025 Cheapest Public Colleges

Choosing a college in the United States doesn't have to mean breaking the bank. While many colleges in the United States are known for their high tuition costs, there are also plenty of affordable options available. This guide highlights the most budget-friendly colleges across the country , focusing on tuition and fees for the 2024-2025 academic year, so you can plan for the upcoming 2025-2026 school year with confidence.

In 2025, the average tuition and fees at 509 four-year Public Colleges with the Lowest Tuition & Fees is $23,087, reflecting a 1.31% increase compared to the previous year.Among the 509 institutions analyzed, tuition rose at 374 colleges, while tuition decreased at only 45 colleges.

Louisiana State University-Shreveport ranks as the least expensive public colleges. With tuition and fees at just $7,327, Louisiana State University-Shreveport offers an affordable education without compromising on quality. It is an excellent choice for students seeking value in their college experience.

Close behind are University of North Carolina at Pembroke at$7,648 and Purdue University - Purdue Polytechnic Indianapolis at$7,658 both consistently recognized among the Public Colleges with the Lowest Tuition & Fees, providing quality education at a fraction of the cost of many other colleges.

At these Affordable Public Colleges, the average acceptance rate is 82.12%, and the average SAT score is 1,036, making them not only cost-effective but also accessible options for a wide range of students.

Comparison between Public Colleges With The Lowest Tuition & Fees

Table. Public Colleges With The Lowest Tuition & Fees Comparison
School NameUndergraduate Tuition & FeesGraduate Tuition & FeesAcceptance RateTotal PopulationSAT ScoreGraduation RateStudents to Faculty Ratio
1Louisiana State University-Shreveport Shreveport, LAPublic, 4-year $7,327
($7,327)		$7,349
($7,349)		50.55%10,7491,09038.00%30 to 1
2
-		University of North Carolina at Pembroke Pembroke, NCPublic, 4-year $7,648
($3,648)
$77		$19,987
($6,928)
$77		93.26%7,6741,08044.00%14 to 1
3Purdue University - Purdue Polytechnic Indianapolis Indianapolis, INPublic, 4-year $7,658
($7,400)		-
(-)		-----
3Purdue University - Purdue Polytechnic Vincennes Vincennes, INPublic, 4-year $7,658
($7,400)		-
(-)		-----
5
2		Mississippi Valley State University Itta Bena, MSPublic, 4-year $7,692
($7,692)
$220		$8,385
($8,385)
$100		92.38%2,205-27.00%13 to 1
6
2		Wayne State College Wayne, NEPublic, 4-year $8,171
($8,171)
$248		$10,194
($5,784)
$234		-4,666-52.00%19 to 1
7
6		Chadron State College Chadron, NEPublic, 4-year $8,294
($8,294)
$730		$10,293
($5,883)
$890		-2,098-50.00%15 to 1
8
3		Fayetteville State University Fayetteville, NCPublic, 4-year $8,353
($4,353)
$384		$17,856
($6,791)
$594		82.15%7,10799038.00%20 to 1
9
2		Peru State College Peru, NEPublic, 4-year $8,433
($8,433)
$153		$9,600
($9,600)
$192		-1,492-38.00%17 to 1
10
4		Mississippi University for Women Columbus, MSPublic, 4-year $8,492
($8,492)
$400		$8,492
($8,492)
$400		90.31%2,193-47.00%10 to 1
11
2		Southwestern Oklahoma State University Weatherford, OKPublic, 4-year $8,499
($8,469)
$174		$8,110
($8,086)
$171		-5,186-40.00%19 to 1
12
1		Charter Oak State College New Britain, CTPublic, 4-year $8,506
($8,506)
-		$10,352
($10,352)
-		-2,012-67.00%15 to 1
13
6		University of Arkansas Grantham LIttle Rock, ARPublic, 4-year $8,520
($8,520)
$240		$4,980
($4,980)
$180		-5,646-43.00%20 to 1
14
1		Delta State University Cleveland, MSPublic, 4-year $8,605
($8,605)
-		$8,605
($8,605)
-		100.00%2,6541,05048.00%12 to 1
15
3		Western Carolina University Cullowhee, NCPublic, 4-year $8,630
($4,630)
$98		$18,595
($7,876)
$98		81.83%11,6861,18060.00%16 to 1
16
-		Minot State University Minot, NDPublic, 4-year $8,702
($8,702)
$69		$10,886
($10,886)
$69		64.62%2,7511,06045.00%11 to 1
17
4		Alcorn State University Alcorn State, MSPublic, 4-year $8,785
($8,785)
$236		$9,520
($9,520)
$257		45.33%2,99584057.00%16 to 1
18
4		Thomas Edison State University Trenton, NJPublic, 4-year $8,856
($6,838)
$258		$12,150
($12,150)
-		-7,544--20 to 1
19
9		Colorado State University Global Denver, COPublic, 4-year $9,000
($9,000)
$600		$12,150
($12,150)
$3,150		98.40%10,257--23 to 1
20
3		Eastern New Mexico University-Main Campus Portales, NMPublic, 4-year $9,054
($7,074)
$336		$7,480
($5,706)
$254		91.66%5,72594045.00%18 to 1
21
3		Nicholls State University Thibodaux, LAPublic, 4-year $9,242
($8,149)
$24		$9,329
($8,236)
$18		90.80%6,0431,08054.00%19 to 1
22
3		University of New Hampshire College of Professional Studies Online Manchester, NHPublic, 4-year $9,284
($7,724)
$88		$11,708
($10,448)
$470		-1,478-30.00%10 to 1
23
2		Metropolitan State University Saint Paul, MNPublic, 4-year $9,840
($9,840)
$60		$11,323
($11,323)
$346		98.71%6,660-44.00%15 to 1
24
4		Southeast Missouri State University Cape Girardeau, MOPublic, 4-year $9,903
($9,903)
$408		$7,702
($7,702)
$331		73.52%9,501-58.00%20 to 1
25
1		McNeese State University Lake Charles, LAPublic, 4-year $9,989
($8,489)
$29		$10,002
($8,502)
$5		78.27%6,2411,05047.00%20 to 1
Average$8,606
($7,778)		$10,654
($8,510)		82.12%5,4161,03646.29%17 to 1