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10 cheapest colleges for out-of-state students
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With the possible in-state tuition rate extinction and rising costs of higher education, cost is becoming an even larger factor for students seeking degrees than ever before. - photo by Shelby Slade
With the possible extinction of in-state tuition and rising costs of higher education, college affordability is becoming an even larger factor for students seeking degrees than ever before, especially for those who study out-of-state.

More and more public universities are choosing to accept an increasing number of out-of-state students who pay a higher tuition rate, making it difficult for in-state students to get into these colleges and pay reduced fees, The New York Times reported.

The average out-of-state tuition rate for undergraduates attending public four-year schools for the 2014-15 academic school year was $22,958, according to a study by the College Board. This rate is roughly 2.5 times greater than the average cost for in-state tuition.

According to BestColleges.com, which ranked the least expensive schools for nonresidents, the cheaper schools were more often located in the middle of the U.S. This ranking, which analyzed 2013-14 tuition rates at schools across the country, only considered not-for-profit public or private schools with more than 900 students enrolled.

Here is an abbreviated ranking of the least expensive universities and colleges across the nation.

Midwestern State University

This public university, located in Wichita Falls, Texas, offers tuition to out-of-state students for $2,740 a year.

Peru State College

Peru State College in Peru, Nebraska, gives in-state and out-of-state students the same tuition rate, which makes tuition $3,360 a year.

Chadron State College

While out-of-state students pay slightly more at Chadron State College in Nebraska, the out-of-state tuition rate remains low at $4,585.68

Southern University at New Orleans

This New Orleans public university gives out-of-state students an opportunity to pay $5,292 a year or $2,646 a semester in tuition as a full-time student.

Louisiana State University-Shreveport

This public university in Louisiana charges $5,606.88 in tuition for out-of-state students. It also requires out-of-state students to pay an extra $4,706.88 fee for being a nonresident.

Louisiana State University-Alexandria

Out-of-state students attending LSU-Alexandria paid $5,731.68 in tuition per year.

Dickinson State University

Dickinson State University in North Dakota charges out-of-state students $5,879.52 a year to attend the public university.

Mississippi Valley State University

This public university, located in Itta Bena, Mississippi, charges a similar price, $5,916 a year, for both in-state and out-of-state tuition.

Northern State University

While this Minnesota school does charge separate rates for in- and out-of-state students, the out-of-state tuition rate is low at $5,994 a year.

Dakota State University

Dakota State University, which is located in Madison, South Dakota, charges out-of-state students $6,004.80 in tuition per year.