[MRM]

As JYL said, you can't negotiate in-state tuition. Resident and non-resident tuition are set by law. The negotiations come in the form of negotiating scholarships and the financial aid package. Your high school's guidance counselor should be able to guide you through the process step by step. Essentially you express your preference for the school but let them know that you're applying at X Y and Z schools and will take the best deal.

You will be assigned an admissions contact when you apply and as you're accepted, so that is the first place to start. But as a warning, realize that public schools do not have the scholarships and other incentives available that private schools do. Often times a private school will cost less than an out of state private school.

What schools are you looking at?