Oct 11, 2014 04:46 AM EDT By Staff Reporter, UniversityHerald Reporter

Delta State University has topped the list of American colleges with cheapest out-of-state tuition, according to an annual survey by US News.

The Mississippi University charged $6,187 to non-residents in tuition and fees for the 2014-2015 academic year. The same amount is charged for in-state students.

Among 413 ranked public colleges, the average resident tuition and fees in the 2014-2015 academic year is $8,812. The average tuition for out-of-state students among these 10 cheapest schools is slightly lower at $8,491.

"Some regional colleges and universities are so cheap, even for out-of-staters, that they give Home State University a run for its money," U.S. News said.

Experts said that most of these top 10 public institutions are regional colleges and universities in Midwestern or Western states​ that may not necessarily attract 18-year-olds in the same was a New York or California does.

Delta State is followed by Minot State University in second place with $6,224 in tuition. Beginning 2009, all Minot students, part of any on-campus course, pay North Dakota in-state tuition rate to receive top-notch education.

High school juniors and seniors find North Dakota universities inexpensive with modest-sized classes taught by faculty members rather than adjuncts or graduate students. For example, California residents enrolled in North Dakota colleges are charged about $10,000 a year in tuition and fees as compared to about $12,000 in the University of California system.

At No. 3 is Bemidji State University with tuition $8,134. The University also secured a place in the list of institutions with affordable online offerings.

"BSU's online programs offer the same standards in faculty and curriculum that our on-campus students find in a traditional classroom." Lynn Johnson, director of BSU's Center for Extended Learning, said in a statement. "This ranking illustrates how the quality of our support programs for ONLINE STUDENTS, the credentials of our faculty and the delivery of relevant programming combine to create an affordable, high-quality experience for our online students."

Top 10 American Universities with Cheapest Out-of-State Tuition:

School name (state) Tuition and fees (2014-2015)

Delta State University (MS) $6,187

Minot State University (ND) $6,224

Bemidji State University (MN) $8,134

Oklahoma Panhandle State University $8,293

West Texas A&M University $8,312

Mayville State University (ND) $8,894

Northern State University (SD) $9,563

Midwestern State University (TX) $9,703

South Dakota State University $9,795

Wayne State College (NE) $9,804

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