Cost is just one factor to weigh when determining which college is right for you. The list below gives a glimpse into how much some students pay for college. If cost is a big factor in your college decision, this list will be of comfort. Many state schools offer a good education at a smaller sticker price than similar private colleges. These are the 50 least expensive public colleges in the United States. Tuition listed is in-state tuition for one full academic year, based on 2007 data.

Note: The cost of college can vary greatly depending on what merit aid offered by the college. If you qualify for merit aid, a college that otherwise is unaffordable may be right in your price range.

The 50 least expensive public colleges

College	City	State	Full-time undergrads	Tuition
New Mexico Highlands University	Las Vegas	NM	1,733	$2,536
Fort Hays State University	Hays	KS	5,463	$2,685
Florida Atlantic University	Boca Raton	FL	17,020	$2,694
University of North Florida	Jacksonville	FL	12,700	$2,793
Nevada State College	Henderson	NV	1,498	$2,839
The University of West Florida	Pensacola	FL	7,170	$2,860
Elizabeth City State University	Elizabeth City	NC	2,696	$2,898
Southern University at New Orleans	New Orleans	LA	1,630	$2,970
United States Coast Guard Academy	New London	CT	995	$3,000
San Diego State University-Imperial Valley Campus	Calexico	CA	552	$3,022
Metropolitan State College of Denver	Denver	CO	15,175	$3,079
California State University-Long Beach	Long Beach	CA	26,449	$3,116
Florida International University	Miami	FL	28,108	$3,130
University of the District of Columbia	Washington	DC	7,320	$3,140
Eastern New Mexico University-Main Campus	Portales	NM	2,716	$3,156
Southwestern Oklahoma State University	Weatherford	OK	4,100	$3,198
Western New Mexico University	Silver City	NM	1,581	$3,223
University of Hawaii-West Oahu	Pearl City	HI	497	$3,226
University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma	Chickasha	OK	1,186	$3,240
Augusta State University	Augusta	GA	4,863	$3,242
California State University-Monterey Bay	Seaside	CA	3,602	$3,256
University of Florida	Gainesville	FL	34,764	$3,257
McNeese State University	Lake Charles	LA	6,858	$3,262
Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University	Tallahassee	FL	9,518	$3,274
California State Polytechnic University-Pomona	Pomona	CA	17,738	$3,278
California State University-Fresno	Fresno	CA	17,613	$3,299
Winston-Salem State University	Winston-Salem	NC	4,889	$3,300
California State University-Stanislaus	Turlock	CA	5,606	$3,330
California State University-Los Angeles	Los Angeles	CA	14,658	$3,332
California State University-Fullerton	Fullerton	CA	24,648	3$,342
California State University-East Bay	Hayward	CA	9,941	$3,345
California State University-Northridge	Northridge	CA	24,907	$3,350
Florida State University	Tallahassee	FL	23,134	$3,355
University of Wyoming	Laramie	WY	8,463	$3,366
California State University-San Marcos	San Marcos	CA	6,717	$3,374
California State University-Dominguez Hills	Carson	CA	7,348	$3,377
University of Louisiana at Lafayette	Lafayette	LA	13,704	$3,402
Fayetteville State University	Fayetteville	NC	4,669	$3,422
Armstrong Atlantic State University	Savannah	GA	4,996	$3,424
San Diego State University	San Diego	CA	25,118	$3,428
California State University-Channel Islands	Camarillo	CA	2,713	$3,452
California State University-San Bernardino	San Bernardino	CA	12,749	$3,455
San Francisco State University	San Francisco	CA	22,533	$3,456
University of South Florida	Tampa	FL	31,280	$3,457
Adams State College	Alamosa	CO	2,071	$3,466
Albany State University	Albany	GA	3,398	$3,470
Savannah State University	Savannah	GA	3,036	$3,486
North Carolina A & T State University	Greensboro	NC	9,348	$3,500
Columbus State University	Columbus	GA	5,846	$3,514
Louisiana State University-Shreveport	Shreveport	LA	2,881	$3,520