College tuition can vary widely between in-state and out-of-state rates — often more than double the cost for nonresidents. To make higher education more affordable, many states have entered regional tuition reciprocity agreements.

These programs allow students from participating states to attend public colleges in neighboring states at discounted rates. While programs vary, these options offer matching in-state tuition or other big discounts to make college more affordable.

There are four major programs that serve clusters of states:

• Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE)
• New England Tuition Break (NEBHE)
• Midwest Student Exchange Program (MSEP)
• Souther Regional Education Board's Academic Common Market (ACM)

For many families, understanding these programs can open the door to colleges beyond state lines without the steep price tag.