At most public universities, students from other states are admitted at a lower rate than residents. Of 35 public universities that publish the split for fall 2025, 27 admitted out-of-state applicants at a lower rate than in-state applicants. The gap ranges from about one point at Iowa State to nearly 38 points at the University of Tennessee.
Where this information comes from
Most of these figures come from each university's own Common Data Set for 2025–26. The 2025–26 Common Data Set asks universities to report first-year applicants and admits by residency, if available: in-state, out-of-state and international. Not every university fills it in. UCLA and UC Berkeley come from the University of California's preliminary fall 2025 admissions tables, which count admission offers as of June 2025. "Out-of-state" means applicants from other U.S. states; international applicants are counted separately, except possibly at Maryland (see the notes below the table). Out-of-state tuition is the published price from the College Scorecard, about 2023–24, before any aid.
Out-of-state vs. in-state acceptance rates, fall 2025
Sorted by out-of-state acceptance rate, lowest first. Sources: each university's Common Data Set 2025–26, section C1; University of California preliminary fall 2025 admissions tables (UCLA, UC Berkeley); College Scorecard (tuition and fees before aid, about 2023–24). You may pay less if receiving grants or scholarships. ⚠️ Maryland left the international column blank, and its in-state and out-of-state counts add up to the total, so its out-of-state figure may include international applicants. ⚠️ NC State's table lists 3,357 out-of-state and 21,852 international applicants; the enrolled row and its 12% out-of-state share show the two columns are swapped, so this page uses 21,852 out-of-state applicants (7,508 admitted).
What the numbers show
- The biggest gaps: UT Austin admitted 7.5% of out-of-state applicants and 35.9% of Texans. UNC Chapel Hill admitted 9.6% of out-of-state applicants and 37.0% of North Carolina residents. The University of Tennessee admitted 35.1% and 72.8%, and Purdue 43.6% and 71.1%, and UW-Madison 40.3% and 56.4%. At these universities, applying from another state is a very different experience from applying as a resident.
- Where the rates are close: at Utah, Iowa State, Oregon, Kansas State, the University of Florida, Kentucky, Michigan State, Kansas, Nebraska, Arizona State and Arkansas, the two rates are within about three points of each other.
- Where out-of-state applicants were admitted at a higher rate: Virginia Tech (58.9% vs. 47.3%), Indiana (78.6% vs. 72.2%), Oklahoma (80.3% vs. 75.9%), Nebraska (91.2% vs. 88.5%), UCLA (11.2% vs. 9.6%), and by about a point at Oregon and Utah. A higher rate doesn't mean an easier review; out-of-state applicant pools can differ in size and makeup from in-state pools.
- Selectivity and residency are separate questions. UC Berkeley and the University of Florida are highly selective for everyone, with only a few points between residents and nonresidents. UT Austin, UNC and Tennessee are far more selective for out-of-state students than for their own.
Acceptance rates describe last year's applicants as a group. They are a starting point for understanding a university, not a prediction for any one student.
What this means for your list
- Look at the out-of-state rate, not just the overall rate. If you live in another state, the overall figure can make a university look more open than it is for you.
- Weigh it alongside the price. Out-of-state tuition at these 35 runs from $22,467 at UCF to $59,512 at UVA before aid. See out-of-state tuition at 100 public universities.
- Ask about scholarships for nonresidents. Some universities, like Oklahoma, offer automatic merit scholarships to out-of-state students based on GPA and test scores. Check each university's scholarship page.
- Check regional discounts. Students in the West and South may qualify for reduced out-of-state tuition through the Western Undergraduate Exchange or the Academic Common Market.
- Read each university's own explanation. Many universities explain on their admissions sites how residency figures into their review.
Universities not included
Some large public universities either left the residency table blank in their 2025–26 Common Data Set (Michigan, Pittsburgh, William & Mary, Arizona) or don't report it (Alabama, Auburn). Illinois and CU Boulder published residency tables whose rows don't add up to their totals, so they're left out. Others, including Louisville, Minnesota and Missouri, hadn't posted their 2025–26 Common Data Set when this page was published. We'll add universities as their figures become available.
FAQ
Is it harder to get into a public university from out of state? At most of the 35 public universities here, yes. 27 of 35 admitted out-of-state applicants at a lower rate than residents for fall 2025, though at several the difference was small.
Which public universities have the lowest out-of-state acceptance rates? Among these 35, UT Austin (7.5%), UNC Chapel Hill (9.6%), Georgia Tech (10.1%), UC Berkeley (10.3%), UCLA (11.2%), UVA (13.0%), the University of Florida (20.5%), and UCF and the University of Georgia (27.9% each), for fall 2025.
Which public universities admit out-of-state students at about the same rate as residents? Utah, Iowa State, Oregon, Kansas State, the University of Florida, Kentucky, Michigan State, Kansas, Nebraska, Arizona State and Arkansas, where the rates were within about three points of each other for fall 2025.
Where can I find a university's out-of-state acceptance rate? In its Common Data Set, section C1, if the university reports it. Federal data doesn't separate acceptance rates by residency.
Do private colleges have different acceptance rates for out-of-state students? Private colleges charge the same tuition to students from every state. Residency matters most at public universities, where tuition, and often admission, differ for residents.
Related
- Common Data Set: links for 50 colleges and how to read it
- Out-of-state tuition at 100 public universities
- Public Ivies
- WUE schools: the full list
- Regional tuition discounts
- Small public colleges and universities
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