Frostburg State University Expands In-State Tuition Across Appalachian Region

Frostburg State University Expands In-State Tuition Across Appalachian Region

Apr 22, 2026 8:00 AM

Frostburg State University (FSU) has received approval from the University System of Maryland Board of Regents to significantly expand in-state undergraduate tuition eligibility, reinforcing its mission as a regional access institution and its commitment to affordability and academic excellence.

Beginning Fall 2027, eligible undergraduate students whose permanent home address is in any county in Pennsylvania and West Virginia, along with select counties in northern Virginia, eastern Ohio, and southern New York, will qualify for FSU's in-state tuition rate. The expansion includes counties within the Appalachian Regional Commission's (ARC) Northern and North Central subregions and formalizes FSU's longstanding multistate recruitment footprint, which already represents a significant portion of the University's out-of-state enrollment.

Under the expanded tuition model, eligible non-Maryland undergraduate students will save more than 50% on tuition costs. At current rates, those students would pay $7,640 in-state tuition compared to $17,198 under the regional rate and $23,306 for out-of-state tuition. Currently enrolled students who qualify under the new policy will also see their tuition adjusted to the expanded in-state rate beginning Fall 2027.

"This initiative expands affordable access to higher education across the Appalachian region, strengthens FSU's role as a regional access institution and supports economic mobility and workforce readiness," said Interim President Darlene Brannigan Smith, PhD. "This more streamlined undergraduate tuition model helps simplify pricing, reduces the need for complicated discounts and provides more transparent information for students and families."

With available instructional and housing capacity, Frostburg anticipates that the expanded eligibility pricing model will support enrollment growth, improve retention and strengthen the University's competitive position across its multistate service area.

In addition, FSU will introduce a unified tuition rate for online graduate and doctoral programs effective Fall 2026, reducing cost barriers for nonresident students and increasing competitiveness in the national marketplace.

For more information about FSU, visit https://www.frostburg.edu.