When the universities charge for instate tuition, do they get the remaining part from the state?

Question

Is it the same throughout the US?

Answer 1

Sorta kinda, but it's not that simple.

I think (although I am not certain) that the state gives a lump sum to the college no matter how many in-state or out-of-state students they have. At a public school, tuition (and fees) only cover a fairly small percentage of the school's entire operating budget (25% maybe, depending on the school).

Sometimes you can get reduced tuition at at state school in a neighboring state if they offer a program that your own state schools don't. I know the states in New England do this. I'm not sure if any money is exhanged, though - I think it's more of an agreement of "you take 100 of mine, I'll take 100 of yours, and we'll call it even".

But I just teach at a state college, I don't run the finances!