Kid from one of the Smallest Countries aiming for UChicago [international, 4.0 GPA, 1580 SAT, applied math, <$40-50k]

[Mwfan1921]

This thread of public colleges that don’t charge an OOS premium (generally including international students) is a good starting place that discusses specific schools, many of which come in under $25K average net COA.

Which state schools do not charge an OOS rate? And will also give merit?

Albany State Alcorn State Bemidji State University Brown and Gold at Wyoming Central Michigan University Chadron State (Nebraska) Clemson (Study Abroad) Eastern Illinois University Elizabeth City State University Ferris State University Florida State University (first year abroad program) Fort Valley State Georgia Tech (study Abroad) Jackson State Lake Superior State University in Sault Ste. Marie, MI. Langston University - waives out-of-state fees at a 3.0 gpa Minot State University Mississippi Valley State Mississippi University for Women (now coed) Montclair State University Northern Illinois U Northwest Missouri State Oregon State University- DOES charge OOS tuition, but also offers pretty good scholarships Peru State College in Nebraska Savannah State Southeast Missouri State Southern Illinois University Texas Tech (if you get 1K in scholarship you get instate tuition) University of Arkansas University of Central Arkansas University of Louisiana Univ…

Some specific schools with below a $25K average net price that I’ve seen mentioned in my neck of the woods and/or on CC (but there are many more especially for relatively strong students):

Both Southern Illinois campuses
Western Carolina
Southeast Missouri State
U Minnesota Morris
Central Michigan

In the big picture I would encourage OP to look outside the US for college because of the uncertainty of the visa situation here and the relatively low chances of finding permanent employment in the US post-grad.