What States Have Tuition Reciprocity With North Carolina

Last Updated on August 12, 2023 by Oluwajuwon Alvina

A number of schools across the U.S. offer in-state tuition to neighboring states, some through a reciprocity agreement and others through a scholarship program. The Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education, or WICHE, is one example of a scholarship program that allows students from nearby states to attend schools at the in-state tuition rate. Many more schools offer various discounts or scholarships that aren’t advertised. Consider speaking with the financial aid counselor at your school about tuition discounts that are available.

College students who live in North Carolina and want to attend a college or university in another state are in luck. There are several states with tuition reciprocity agreements with North Carolina, meaning that students will pay the in-state tuition rate, regardless of where they live.

The out-of-state level of tuition for that particular degree will apply for students who do not have a residency status in the state. Most state tuition reciprocity agreements only cover Bachelor’s degrees and nursing programs; however, some states also apply reciprocity to Master’s degrees and doctorate programs.

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What States Have Tuition Reciprocity With North Carolina

Unfortunately, North Carolina is one of the few states that does not participate in a tuition reciprocity program for undergraduate degrees. Under tuition reciprocity, institutions can choose to offer tuition at a reduced rate to students from neighboring or nearby states. This is an elective choice by both the institution and the state. North Carolina has elected not to participate in the Academic Common Market, which services the majority of Southern states (including Virginia).

The following states do participate in the Academic Common Market and therefore may have reduced tuition for Virginia residents: Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and West Virginia. It’s important to research the specific university or college you are wanting to attend, and speak to their Financial Aid staff regarding reciprocity tuition. It is up to the school to determine which courses are discounted and at what rate.

Each state’s department of education is responsible for establishing tuition reciprocity agreements with other states. This means that a student who attends colleges and universities in one state can move to another state and pay their new state’s tuition cost without too much concern. Tuition reciprocity agreements are useful for both students and parents because they allow a higher-quality education to be paid for at a lower cost, especially during times of economic hardship.

There are many things you need to know about does North Carolina have tuition reciprocity & what states have teaching reciprocity with North Carolina. Use this article to find out exactly what you need to know.

You will also discover related posts on what states have tuition reciprocity with South Carolina & what states have tuition reciprocity on Collegelearners.

what is tuition reciprocity

Tuition reciprocity is a policy based on agreements between US States that allows students to pay in-state tuition at public universities instead of out-of-state tuition. Tuition reciprocity benefits students, parents, educators, institutions of higher education, and states. Tuition reciprocity is a program that allows an eligible student enrolled in an eligible degree program at a public institution in one state to pay resident tuition and required fees in another state. It is commonly used in border areas and in states that offer in-state tuition to out-of-state students who attend institutions in other states. Reciprocity agreements vary from state to state, and may depend on the field of study and the academic level desired.

Students and families seeking college degrees can benefit from tuition reciprocity programs, which eliminate the need to pay out-of-state tuition for some states that have reciprocity agreements. Features of reciprocity programs include: Consistency: You may only be required to meet major and state requirements to receive benefits, such as graduating from an approved high school. 

10 Ways Public Universities Reduce Out-of-State Tuition | Paying for  College | US News

With over 1,000 colleges and universities to select from, the Reciprocity Program gives you more options than ever when choosing where to pursue your education. Designed for students who would like to obtain an associate’s degree but already hold a bachelor’s degree, this program creates opportunities to obtain college degrees at a reduced tuition rate in less time. Tuition reciprocity participants benefit from this program when pursuing an associate’s degree that is not available at their home institution. 

north carolina in state tuition for south carolina residents

Does Financial Aid Cover Out-of-State Tuition?

North Carolina is tough and falls in the category of most difficult when it comes to earning in-state status. Although part-time or full-time school is technically possible during your one-year domicile period, due to the burdensome financial requirements, it is advisable for most people to take a gap-year. A gap-year could be taken prior to freshman year or after and would involve no school and full-time employment. Few students, unless verifiably independently wealthy or with special circumstances, would be able to avoid a gap-year although it is possible.

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Part-time school during the first year may be possible for some hardworking types, but universities in North Carolina differ on their first-year student requirements…some require full-time status, some require living in the dorms. Those university policies can dictate the available paths to in-state status, effectively barring you from beginning your domicile period until your second year or later, or requiring a gap-year.

North Carolina Reciprocity Agreements

REDUCE OUT-OF-STATE TUITION USING REGIONAL TUITION EXCHANGE PROGRAMS | Blog  | Association of Certified College Funding Specialists

North Carolina is a barely-participating member state of the Academic Common Market which is a limited regional reciprocity agreement among select Southern states. NC only participates through their graduate programs meaning if you’re coming from or going to North Carolina as an undergrad, you won’t benefit.

does north carolina have tuition reciprocity

A number of schools across the U.S. offer in-state tuition to neighboring states, some through a reciprocity agreement and others through a scholarship program. The Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education, or WICHE, is one example of a scholarship program that allows students from nearby states to attend schools at the in-state tuition rate. Many more schools offer various discounts or scholarships that aren’t advertised. Consider speaking with the financial aid counselor at your school about tuition discounts that are available.

How to get in-state tuition as an out-of-state student | Scholarships360

Midwest Region

Several states in the Great Lakes area offer tuition agreements. Students from North Dakota, South Dakota or Wisconsin pay in-state tuition rates at any Minnesota college. Minnesota residents pay in-state tuition rates at North Dakota, South Dakota and Wisconsin schools. The reciprocity agreement does not apply to all states, however; for example, a Wisconsin resident does not get in-state tuition at a South Dakota university.

Paired States

Individual states that have set up agreements include Kentucky and Ohio, Kentucky and Illinois, Kentucky and Tennessee and Kentucky and West Virginia. Residents of either of these paired states get in-state tuition in the other state. New Mexico and Colorado also have a tuition reciprocity agreement, but students need to apply early as there is a limit to how many students each university will accept.

Midwest Student Exchange Program

The Midwest Student Exchange Program allows students in Indiana, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota and Wisconsin to attend schools in these states at a discounted rate. Out-of-state residents don’t always get in-state tuition, but they never pay more than 150 percent of in-state tuition costs. The program also allows students to get a 10-percent discount on tuition at a private college.

what states have teaching reciprocity with north carolina

States that participate in WICHE include Alaska, Hawaii, Washington, Oregon, Utah, Idaho, California, Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, Wyoming, Montana, North Dakota and South Dakota. Schools within these states can choose to participate. For example, in California, University of California schools do not participate. while California State University schools do. Out-of-state students pay 150 percent of that school’s in-state tuition rate. Many schools have additional requirements or limited availability for the program.

Academic Common Market

The Academic Common Market has a selective reciprocity agreement. Students in participating states can receive in-state tuition from a public university in a partnering state only if the degree they are seeking is not offered in their home state. For example, if a student in Oklahoma wanted to study criminal justice, but no public university in Oklahoma offers a degree in criminal justice, that student could receive in-state tuition at an institution in a partnering state. Schools are allowed to voluntarily participate in the program. States that are a part of the Academic Common Market include Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia and West Virginia. Texas, North Carolina and Florida only offer a reciprocity agreement to graduate students.

Diverse Group of Students Walking on Campus - Public Policy Institute of  California

Midwest Region

Several states in the Great Lakes area offer tuition agreements. Students from North Dakota, South Dakota or Wisconsin pay in-state tuition rates at any Minnesota college. Minnesota residents pay in-state tuition rates at North Dakota, South Dakota and Wisconsin schools. The reciprocity agreement does not apply to all states, however; for example, a Wisconsin resident does not get in-state tuition at a South Dakota university.

Paired States

Individual states that have set up agreements include Kentucky and Ohio, Kentucky and Illinois, Kentucky and Tennessee and Kentucky and West Virginia. Residents of either of these paired states get in-state tuition in the other state. New Mexico and Colorado also have a tuition reciprocity agreement, but students need to apply early as there is a limit to how many students each university will accept.

Midwest Student Exchange Program

The Midwest Student Exchange Program allows students in Indiana, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota and Wisconsin to attend schools in these states at a discounted rate. Out-of-state residents don’t always get in-state tuition, but they never pay more than 150 percent of in-state tuition costs. The program also allows students to get a 10-percent discount on tuition at a private college.

Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education

States that participate in WICHE include Alaska, Hawaii, Washington, Oregon, Utah, Idaho, California, Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, Wyoming, Montana, North Dakota and South Dakota. Schools within these states can choose to participate. For example, in California, University of California schools do not participate. while California State University schools do. Out-of-state students pay 150 percent of that school’s in-state tuition rate. Many schools have additional requirements or limited availability for the program.

Academic Common Market

The Academic Common Market has a selective reciprocity agreement. Students in participating states can receive in-state tuition from a public university in a partnering state only if the degree they are seeking is not offered in their home state. For example, if a student in Oklahoma wanted to study criminal justice, but no public university in Oklahoma offers a degree in criminal justice, that student could receive in-state tuition at an institution in a partnering state. Schools are allowed to voluntarily participate in the program. States that are a part of the Academic Common Market include Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia and West Virginia. Texas, North Carolina and Florida only offer a reciprocity agreement to graduate students.

Colleges Charging In-State Tuition for Out-of-State Applicants

Many popular public schools, including especially state flagship ones, are known to have some of the steepest out-of-state tuition. The good news is that numerous public colleges and universities have pocket-friendly out-of-state tuition rates, some of which are even close to their in-state counterparts.

Is the major you’re interested in not being offered by any public institution in your state but available at an out-of-state school that you have always wanted to go to?

There’s no need to put your dream of having a college degree on hold.

That’s because there are some steps you may take to enjoy in-state tuition rates while attending a good out-of-state school.

Here are some of the things you may do to become an out-of-state student who’s paying in-state tuition — or something so close to it:

  • Look for schools with low sticker prices. Some of the most affordable public schools are located in less populated areas, especially those in the middle of the country. Many of them have a total annual cost of attendance of less than $35,000. Some public schools charge in-state students $30,000 and above.
  • Apply to schools that offer tuition waivers and merit scholarships. Do you have an impressive GPA and test scores? Many out-of-state public schools will be more than willing to have you — all you have to do is look for them! Many will offer you out-of-state tuition waivers and merit-based scholarships, too.
  • Take advantage of tuition reciprocity programs. Many states in various regions have agreed to offer out-of-state students tuition rates close or similar to in-state ones. However, there are some requirements to meet, like having a certain GPA or pursuing certain majors, like those in healthcare fields.

Speaking of tuition reciprocity programs, applying for one allows you to go to a good public school outside your state but within the same region without paying out-of-state tuition.

Below, we will talk about some of the most important things you need to know about it, such as the different programs and participating public colleges and universities.

Related Article: Which State Has Best Colleges

Tuition Reciprocity Programs

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It’s a definite must for tuition reciprocity programs to be tackled when it comes to paying in-state tuition at out-of-state schools.

That’s because they make it possible for students to enjoy tuition rates outside their hometowns equivalent or close to in-state tuition rates, thus making earning a college degree easier on the bank.

For the most part, tuition reciprocity programs enable students to attend colleges or universities in different states and pay in-state, like in-state students, or reduced tuition rates.

These programs are often reserved for students living in different states but in the same regions.

It’s because of this why some people sometimes refer to tuition reciprocity programs as “regional education exchanges”. You may also hear others call it “regional exchanges” or “tuition exchanges”. No matter the case, the fact remains that it makes out-of-state students to go to college so much cheaper.

Most of the time, tuition reciprocity programs only apply to public schools in the region. However, in some instances, public and private colleges and universities partner with each other to lower tuition rates across the board.

What’s more, these tuition-lowering programs are commonly reserved for certain college programs only.

Different states in different regions have an agreement with each other, the product of which is the existence of various tuition reciprocity programs.

Some of them are the Academic Common Market, Regional Contract Program, Midwest Student Exchange, Western Undergraduate Exchange, Professional Student Exchange Program, and New England Regional Student Program. Note that some states participate in multiple tuition reciprocity programs.

Let’s take a quick look at the participating states for each available program:

The Academic Common Market

Alabama
Arkansas
Delaware
Florida
Georgia

Kentucky
Louisiana
Maryland
Mississippi
Oklahoma

South Carolina
Tennessee
Texas
Virginia
West Virginia

The Regional Contract Program

Arkansas
Delaware
Georgia

Kentucky
Louisiana

Mississippi
South Carolina

The Midwest Student Exchange

Illinois
Indiana
Kansas

Michigan
Minnesota
Missouri

Nebraska
North Dakota
Wisconsin

The Western Undergraduate Exchange

Alaska
Arizona
California
Colorado
Hawaii
Idaho

Montana
Nevada
New Mexico
North Dakota
Oregon

South Dakota
Utah
Washington
Wyoming
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands

The Professional Student Exchange Program

Alaska
Arizona
Colorado
Hawaii

Montana
Nevada
New Mexico
North Dakota

Utah
Wyoming
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands

The New England Regional Student Program

Connecticut
Maine

Massachusetts
New Hampshire

Rhode Island
Vermont

There is also the DC Tuition Assistance Program. Another one of the many tuition reciprocity programs available in the US, it allows students residing in the District of Columbia to enjoy in-state tuition rates outside the district at more than 300 colleges and universities in the nation.

Before we proceed to the next topic, there are a few things we should talk through:

  • Some states do not participate in any tuition reciprocity programs at all. They include New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, New Jersey, Iowa, and North Carolina.
  • Some states may choose to drop out from a tuition reciprocity program at any given time.
  • Not all public schools in participating states are involved in tuition reciprocity programs. This is especially true for some of the most well-known state flagship colleges or universities.

Just because the state you are living in and the state where your preferred school is in are in the same region and partake in the same tuition reciprocity program doesn’t necessarily mean that you can apply to any out-of-state school within the same region and earn a college degree at in-state tuition rates.

As mentioned above, not all public schools in participating states are involved with the program.

Continue reading if you would like to know which schools participate in which tuition reciprocity program — we will list all of them to know what your options would be should you decide to enroll out of state. And later, we will also discuss the fact that only some academic programs or majors qualify for tuition reciprocity programs.

Participating Schools in Every Region

Not all public colleges and universities take part in tuition reciprocity programs. In some instances, it’s because they do not offer majors considered eligible by these programs.

For instance, there is no reason for a school without any healthcare-related majors to participate if the program is exclusive for out-of-state students majoring in healthcare fields.

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