Every international student at one point thinks about earning his higher education degree from the USA. However, the high cost of college and other expenses discourage students from living their dreams and many times persuade them to change their plans. There are many scholarships available for studying in the USA; students who are hesitant to take loans, to pursue their education, can opt for them. For those students, in this article, we will apprise you of the cheapest universities in the USA for international students.
Earlier, we discussed about the 12 Most Affordable MS Colleges in the US and the 10 Most Affordable MBA Colleges in the US. In this article, we will inform you about the affordable universities in the USA, where international students can pursue their higher education at an affordable cost.
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Affordable Universities in the USA for International Students
The USA has always been considered one of the most expensive countries to pursue higher education for international students. Students can also find colleges that offer high-quality education at affordable prices. Here is a list of some of the cheap universities in the USA:
- California State University
- Southeast Missouri State University
- Arkansas State University
- The University of Wisconsin
- Brigham Young University
- Brooklyn College
- The University of Louisiana at Monroe
- Southwest Minnesota State University
- Northwest Missouri State University
- Dakota State University
Top 10 Cheapest Universities in USA for International Students
Some of the cheapest colleges in the USA for international students along with their tuition fees for various levels of study have been discussed in the section below.
California State University, San Bernardino
California State University is a public university based in California, USA. San Bernardino, where the university's main campus is located, is one of the largest cities in California. The university offers numerous undergraduate, graduate, and online programs. Asian studies, Criminal Justice, Biology, Arabic, and Art History are some of the streams offered by the university. The table given below provides an overview of expenditures for the 2023-24 Academic Year:
| Particulars |
Undergraduate |
Graduate |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition & Fees |
$17,221 |
$8,858 |
| Additional Expenses |
$18,864 |
$18,864 |
| Total |
$36,085 |
$27,722 |
Southeast Missouri State University
Southeast Missouri State University is a public university based in Missouri, USA. It offers more than 200 programs including 100 minors, 145 undergraduate majors, and more than 75 graduate programs. The university focuses on imparting quality education with new ways of teaching. The table given below provides an overview of expenditures for the 2023-24 Academic Year:
| Particulars |
Undergraduate |
Graduate |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition and general Fees (Fall and Spring) |
$15,585 |
$ 11,938.5 |
| Books & Supplies |
$364.9 |
$850 |
| Housing |
$7,100 (on-campus) |
$4,500 (off-campus) |
| Meals |
$3,100 |
$2,100 |
| Personal Expenses |
$1,000 |
$1,000 |
| Health Insurance |
$1,387.32 |
$1,387.32 |
| Total |
$28,537.22 |
$21,775.82 |
Arkansas State University
Arkansas State University is the cheapest university in the USA. It is a public research university based in Arkansas, USA. It is the second-largest university in Arkansas. The school offers more than 160 degree programs. It also offers various bachelor's, and master's programs online. For students' benefit, the university offers a Structured Learning Assistance Program that provides additional academic support for difficult topics. The table given below provides an overview of expenditures per semester for the year 2023-24:
| Particulars |
Undergraduate |
Graduate |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition Fees per Semester |
$8,635 (15 hours) |
$8,269 (12 hours) |
University of Wisconsin
The University of Wisconsin-Madison is the largest and oldest university based in Wisconsin, USA. It offers 148 master's degree programs, 136 undergraduate majors, and 120 doctoral programs. It spreads on a sprawling 1200 acres of land. It is considered one of the top 10 research universities in the US. The table given below provides an overview of expenditures for the 2023-24 Academic Year:
| Particulars |
Undergraduate |
Graduate |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition and Fees |
$40,612 |
$25,578 |
| Housing & Meals |
$13,500 |
$15,208 |
| Books & Supplies |
$1,100 |
$1,100 |
| Personal |
$2,438 |
$6,012 |
| Transportation |
$1,200 |
$1,500 |
| Loan |
$62 |
$220 |
| Total |
$58,912 |
$49,398 |
Brigham Young University
Brigham Young University is a private research university based in Utah, USA. Established in 1875, it is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities. Brigham follows a semester-based academic calendar. The campus spreads across 557 acres. The university is known for offering language education and offer courses in 62 languages. The table given below provides an overview of expenditures per semester for the year 2023-24:
| Particulars |
Undergraduate |
Graduate |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition per semester |
$6,496 |
$8,168 |
University of Louisiana–Monroe
The University of Louisiana at Monroe is a public university that offers high-quality education. The state-funded institution offers a variety of fields of study with the help of the latest technologies. It aims to meet the academic, cultural, social, and personal needs of undergraduate and graduate students. The table given below provides an overview of expenditures for the 2022-23 Academic Year:
| Particulars |
Undergraduate |
Graduate |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition and Fees |
$9,551 |
$9,509 |
| Room |
$9,770 |
$10,468 |
| Personal |
$2,308 |
$2,308 |
| Books & Supplies |
$1,300 |
$1,300 |
| Travel |
$3,162 |
$3,162 |
| Non-resident Fee |
$12,100 |
$12,100 |
| Total |
$38,889 |
$38,847 |
Southwest Minnesota State University
Southwest Minnesota State University is a public university based in Minnesota, USA. Business, Psychology, Exercise Science, and Kinesiology are some of the popular majors offered by the university. Also, it is counted amongst the top four-year public universities offering a high-quality degree in liberal arts. The table given below provides an overview of expenditures for the 2023-24 Academic Year:
| Particulars |
Undergraduate |
Graduate |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition & Fees per credit |
$305 |
$486 |
Northwest Missouri State University
Northwest Missouri State University is a public university based in Missouri, USA. It follows a semester-based academic calendar. It offers undergraduate, graduate, and international programmes in different areas of study. Founded in 1905, the university is known for its highly qualified professors; with almost 95% of the faculty members carrying the highest degree in their respective fields. The table given below provides an overview of expenditures for the 2022-23 Academic Year:
| Particulars |
Undergraduate |
Graduate |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition |
$14,095.48 |
$6,364.80 |
| Fees | $4,068.40 |
$2,667.60 |
| On-Campus Living Expenses (for 9 Months) | $9,854 |
$5,500 |
| Health Insurance | $1,479 |
$1,479 |
| Orientation and Student Service Fees | $325 |
$250 |
| Total | $29,821.88 |
$16,261.40 |
Dakota State University
Dakota State University is a public university based in South Dakota, USA. Founded in 1881, it is amongst the most prestigious educational institutes in the US. DSU offers online courses for working professionals and homemakers. Apart from this, the university offers a number of programs in diverse fields from management to web development. The table is given below provides and overview of expenditures for pursuing an undergraduate program:
| Particulars |
Cost |
|---|---|
| Tuition & Fees |
$5,968.5 |
| Wireless Computing Fee |
$398.75 |
| Housing & Food Service |
$3,732 |
| Cost Per Semester (estimated) |
$10,099.25 |
| Total Cost Per Year (estimated) |
$20,198.5 |
Other Affordable Universities in the USA for Undergraduate Students
Besides the above-given US universities, there are also low-fee charging schools in the USA for undergraduates hailing from abroad, Check them out below:
- California State University, Long Beach: California State University has the third-largest campus in the California State University System with 23 branches in California
- Minot State University, North Dakota: Minot, North Dakota offers more than 60 undergraduate programs ranging from criminal justice, and social work to finance and information systems
- South Texas College: Founded in 1993, South Texas College has a student-teacher ratio of 22:1. It offers undergraduate degree and certificate programs
- Alcorn State University, Mississippi: Established in 1871, it offers more than 50 degree programs in diverse fields
- The City University of New York: The City University of New York is a public university system based in New York comprising 26 individual institutions
Often students go to popular states like New York and California while not looking for opportunities in less traditional destinations. Apart from the above-mentioned educational institutions, there are various low fees universities in the US:
| Other Affordable and Cheap Universities in the USA | ||
|---|---|---|
| - |
||
For more details on admissions, get in touch with our team of counsellors by signing up at - https://studyabroad.shiksha.com/apply.
Affordable Universities in USA FAQs
Q. What is the average cost of living in USA?
A. Cost of living in USA depends on multiple factors that include your accommodation, books and study material, travel, food, utilities, medical expenses, etc. On an average, you can expect to spend somewhere in between $2,000 to $4,000 on a monthly basis depending on your location. The costs of living in USA are also dependent on personal expenses that are incurred on the basis of personal choice as well.
Q. How can I reduce the overall cost of pursuing academics in the US?
A. In order to reduce your overall cost of pursuing academics in the US, you can choose to apply for a scholarship in USA and/ or also choose to work on a part-time basis in the US. Students must note that they cannot work for more than 20 hours per week when their classes are in session. Thus, applicants should take up lucrative job roles if possible which would both serve the purpose of gaining experience and getting the applicants some income in hand.
Q. Can you give me an estimate of tuition fee if I wish to pursue an undergraduate course in the US?
A. As per the College Board, Trends in College Pricing and Student Aid 2021, the following points will help you get an idea of the tuition fee for undergraduate courses in the US:
- For Public Two-Year In-District, tuition fee stands at an average of $3,800
- For Public Four-Year In-State, tuition fee stands at an average of $10,740
- For Public Four-Year Out-of-State, tuition fee stands at an average of $27,560
- For Private Non-profit Four-Year, tuition fee stands at an average of $38,070
Q. I wish to pursue MBA in the US. Can you give me an estimate of the expenses involved?
A. If you wish to pursue MBA in the US, the following points will give you an estimate of the expenses:
- Average tuition fee is nearly INR 35 lakh per year
- Average living expenses are nearly INR 8.14 lakh per year
However, there may be additional costs, which an applicant would have to bear. Thus, applicants should look for affordable options to study in the USA. With this, they will be able to get costs cut at all the very initial level.
Q. I wish to pursue MS in the US. Can you give me an estimate of the expenses involved?
A. If a student wants to pursue MS in the US, he/ she can consider the points given below:
- Average tuition fee is nearly INR 25 lakh per year
- Average living expenses are nearly INR 8.14 lakh per year
MS in USA cost varies between USD 21,000 to USD 51,000 per annum. Each US university has a different tuition fee which also varies at the specialisation level. Thus, applicants should check best possible options and then choose to take up the course.
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Hello Thomas, you can read the article above and check out the possibly cheap universities. Another way to check is to check the course fee and ensure you are eligible for a scholarship. If you have queries, you can get in touch with our counsellors at - https://studyabroad.shiksha.com/apply.
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