<p>Affordable for OOS and many top-notch programs including engineering and business: University of Minnesota (Twin Cities). OOS tuition and fees are capped at in-state rate plus $2K/semester, so currently OOS = $14,806 (cf. U Wisconsin Madison = $21,820 OOS). Minnesota’s undergrad business program is currently ranked #21, undergrad engineering ranked #25 nationally by US News.</p>
<p>I wonder how long they will be able to afford that low OOS tuition deal with state funding and endowment money taking major hits soon.</p>
<p>^ At present a very high percentage of OOS students at Minnesota are residents of states with tuition reciprocity—primarily Wisconsin, secondarily North & South Dakota—who now effectively pay in-state rates. The expectation is that making the University of Minnesota a financially attractive option for residents of other states will draw a larger OOS applicant pool, making admissions more competitive, strengthening the incoming class, and displacing some fraction of the Minnesota, Wisconsin, and North and South Dakota residents with OOS students each paying $4K/year more than the students they displace. So it’s probably a net revenue gain for the University. The only downside is that if there’s too much displacement of Minnesota residents, there could be a political reaction from the legislature. But as far as I can see the University would have no problem whatsoever of it ended up displacing the lower half of the tuition reciprocity students with higher paying and more qualified residents of non-reciprocity states.</p>
<p>New College of Florida is a small public school with a very low national profile. But in terms of SAT scores, it’s one of the top publics in the country. In particular, their Critical Reading SAT range (650 - 750, according to collegeboard.com) easily tops schools like Berkeley, Michigan, or UVa.</p>
<p>^ Their math SAT range, however, is nearly 100 points lower at 580-670. New College is a wonderful hidden gem, but one that fits a specific type of student.</p>
<p>And Skull, not all state universities are 90/10! My state flagship is 30/70 (no, those numbers aren’t flip-flopped), admittedly one of the highest percentages of OOS students in the country.</p>