8 Most Affordable Cities for Studying in the US: Average Tuition Fees, QS Rankings
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8 Most Affordable Cities for Studying in the US: Is studying in US on your bucket list, but the budget constraints are restricting it just to a dream? Don't worry, we've got you covered. There are several universities in US which offer world-class education in affordable prices. Let us discuss about them in detail.
As an international student, budgeting is a very important part of choosing a country to study in. The expenses involved in rent, eating out, and leisure activities differ to varying degrees from city to city. The US is the most popular study destination among Indian students, but there is a general misconception that it is an expensive country to live and study in. As mentioned before, each American city for students is very different from the other. Here we have listed American cities with most of the top US colleges and affordable options to live at.
- Top 8 Most Affordable Cities in US for Studying
- List of Top Most Affordable US Cities
- Most Affordable Cities for Studying in the US FAQs
Top 8 Most Affordable Cities in US for Studying
When considering affordable cities in US for studying, applicants can consider the following cities:
- Midwest US cities like Chicago, Indianapolis, Columbus
- Southern US cities: Atlanta, Dallas, Houston, Pittsburgh
- West Coast US cities: San Diego
Studying across these cities can cost around INR 3.5 Lakhs to INR 50 Lakhs per annum. But affordability is a subjective term, while for some, these cities might be affordable, but for others it may not. Thus, international applicants must weigh all the pros and cons before deciding on studying in any one of these affordable cities in the USA. Before making Indian applicants make up their minds, they must consider the following factors before choosing an affordable US city for study.
Choosing an Affordable City to Study
Here are some of the most important factors to consider when choosing to study in an affordable US city as an Indian applicant:
| Factors to Choose Affordable US Cities | Description |
|---|---|
| Cost of Studying in US | Check about tuition fees, scholarship options and how much debt will you have to repay after you graduate. |
| Cost of Living in US | Check out accommodation options, living costs, transportation and food expenses. |
| Part-Time Jobs in US | Understand if there are any good opportunities for part-time work options in the city you are choosing to study. Also if the pay is at par sustain for a long and use it for personal expenses. |
| Top Universities in USA | Once, all the above factors are taken into consideration, understand if the universities you are opting for are well-ranked and of good repute. |
| Safety & Security Aspects | Finally, safety and security are major concerns, ensure whichever option you choose is beneficial and secure. |
Once applicants consider all the above-given factors that are essential in choosing an affordable city in US for study, they can go ahead with their admission application process. In the following section we will talk about the affordable cities in the US for study and the universities applicants can consider.
List of Top Most Affordable US Cities
Let us now discuss in detail about some of the most affordable cities in the US for studying for Indian applicants in the following sections:
1. San Diego
With an affordable cost of living and a low tuition fee of INR 25 L per annum, San Diego is perfect for international students looking to study abroad with a limited budget. QS has ranked it at spot #69 in its best student cities for 2025. Located next to the Mexican border, the city is famous for its beaches and fun activities.
Here is a list of the top universities in San Diego:
2. Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh compensates for the high tuition fees at the top colleges by offering an affordable cost of living and a diverse student population. All this and a chance to study at a world-renowned university makes this city a great option. Pittsburgh also boasts modern architecture, quirky neighbourhoods, and museums. The average tuition fee at Pittsburgh is INR 25 L. It has been ranked at position #80 by QS in its best student cities for 2025.
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Here is a list of the top universities in Pittsburgh:
3. Atlanta
It offers great opportunities for graduates as it is home to many popular corporate houses like Coca-Cola, Philips, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Porche, and CNN. QS has ranked it at the position #72 in its best cities ranking for 2025. It is the largest city in Georgia with an average tuition fee of around INR 30 L.
Here is a list of the top universities in Atlanta:
4. Dallas
With an average tuition fee of around INR 35 L, Dallas is the ninth-largest city in the US. It is home to some of the good US universities offering high-quality education to Indian students and international students. The average living cost also comes under INR 3 L - 5 L which makes it an affordable place to study in the US. When we talk about its QS best student city rankings 2025, Dallas has obtained the rank #134.
Here is a list of the top universities in Dallas:
5. Houston
The average tuition fee for Houston is INR 22.5 L and is one of the most popular and cheapest cities among international students. It is home to more than 20 Fortune 500 companies, so, offers great work opportunities after graduation. It has a low cost of living in comparison to other US cities. Also, it has secured the rank #106 in QS Best Student Cities 2025.
Here is a list of the top universities in Houston:
6. Chicago
Chicago ranks at #44 in QS best student city rankings 2025 due to the prestige of its universities. The exceptional academic facilities, alongside the social and cultural opportunities offered, will make studying in Chicago more than worth the investment. It scores well in the ‘desirability’ and ‘employer activity' categories. International students account for 18% of the total student population in the city. The average tuition fee in Chicago is INR 27.5 L.
Here is a list of the top universities in Chicago:
- University of Chicago
- Northwestern University
- University of Illinois (Chicago)
- Illinois Institute of Technology
- Loyola University Chicago
7. Boston
Boston combines the hustle and bustle of a major metropolis and an abundance of open space, for which Massachusetts is famous. Because of all the intellectual endeavour and presence of top colleges, Boston has earned the nickname “the Athens of America”. International students account for 21% of the total student population in the city. With the rank #16 in QS Best Student Cities 2025, Boston is the best city in the US. The average tuition fee in Boston is INR 50 L.
Here is a list of the top universities in Boston:
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
- Harvard University
- Boston University
- Tufts University
- Brandeis University
- Boston College
- Northeastern University
8. Philadelphia
The city’s residents are known for being passionate about the sport at both the professional and university levels, so this city offers great opportunities for sports enthusiasts. In recent years Philadelphia has also become something of a foodie’s favorite. International students account for 12% of the total student population in the city. The average tuition fee in Philadelphia is INR 30 L. In the QS Best Student City Rankings 2025, Philadelphia has been ranked at spot #65.
Here is a list of the top universities in Philadelphia
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Most Affordable Cities for Studying in the US FAQs
Q. Which is the cheapest city in USA for Indian students?
A. In US, San Diego is one of the cheapest student cities for students around the globe. It's rank #69 in QS Best Student City Rankings 2025 depicts that it is also one of the best cities to stay in for international candidates. Some of the top universities in San Diego are University of California San Diego, San Diego State University, and University of San Diego. The average annual tuition fee as well as the cost of living in San Diego is INR 25 L, which can be considered cheaper in comparison to the other US states.
Q. Which city is best for Indian students in the USA?
A. As per the QS Best Student City Rankings 2025, some of the best cities in USA for Indian students are:
| City | QS Best Student City Ranking 2025 |
|---|---|
| Boston | #16 |
| New York | #18 |
| San Francisco | #29 |
| Los Angeles | #37 |
| Chicago | #44 |
Q. Which is the safest state in USA for Indian students?
A. On the basis of low crime rates, as well as the safety and security of the students, some of the safest states in the US for Indian students are Utah, Washington, Idaho, Nebraska, Minnesota, New Hampshire, Iowa, Wisconsin, Vermont, and Florida.
Q. Which US state has the most Indian students?
A. Most of the Indian students reside in the following US states - New York, California, Texas, Massachusetts, Illinois, Arizona, and others. Some of the universities in USA which have the highest population of Indian students are:
- New York University: 72%
- Johns Hopkins University: 70.6%
- Carnegie Mellon University: 70.6%
- University of Missouri - Kansas City: 28%
- Oklahoma State University: 26%
- University of Texas: 21.14%
- Harvard University: 15.4%
- University of Michigan: 15%
Q. What are some advantages of studying in US for Indian students?
A. Some advantages of studying in the USA for Indian students are the world-class quality education offered, research and internship opportunities, student and cultural diversity, global recognition, a vibrant campus life, the career opportunities and impressive return on investments, networking opportunities excellent student support for international candidates, and many more.
As per an unofficial source, the University of Illinois Chicago ranked at #80 among national universities which is better than the NIU ranking at #273 position. The UIC is also exceeding in terms of graduation rates and easier selection than NIU. However, the tuition cost is more affordable at Northern Illinois University as compared to UIC. Students can get more clarity from the comparison table given below:
Particulars | University of Illinois Chicago | Northern Illinois University |
|---|---|---|
US News National Rankings 2024 | #80 | #273 |
Acceptance Rate | 79% | 70% |
Graduation Rate | 40% | 33% |
Tuition Cost | UG: INR 22L-INR 49L PG: INR 13L-INR 37L | UG: INR 10L-INR 16.5L PG: INR 8L-INR 45L |
Student-faculty ratio | 17:1 | 14:1 |
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MIT is not costly for Indian students. Applicants can study BTech program at affordable tuition fees as compared to other BTech colleges in the USA. The MIT BTech fees is around INR 50 L to INR 52 L.