In this article, you will find information on the cheapest universities in the USA for international students. So, if you are an international student who is seeking affordable schools where you can pursue your dream course in the US, we have got you covered here.
Institutions in the United States are renowned for offering the best degrees in the world. According to Times Higher Education, more than five universities in the U.S. are among the top ten universities in the world.
However, education in the United States does not come cheap, especially for international students. This is the reason why most foreign students strive to win scholarships including female aviation scholarships and others to help fund their education. The good thing now is that if you do not have a scholarship for your studies, there are low-cost schools in the U.S. such as very affordable dental schools, or even some cheapest Physical therapy schools, where you can enroll for your studies.
So, this article will list and explain some of the cheapest universities in the United States for international students.
How Much Does it Cost to Study in America as an International Student?
In the United States, the cost of education at public universities is comparatively lower than at private institutions. Education costs depend on your choice of institution, the course, and the program of study.
The cost of undergraduate degrees for international students in the US ranges from $25,000 to $45,000 per year, depending on whether the institution is public or private. Associate degrees at community colleges cost $6,000 to $20,000 per year.
For graduate programs, the cost ranges from $20,000 to $45,000 per year. Some professional graduate programs cost more than graduate programs in other fields of study.
The cost of doctoral degrees ranges from $28,000 to $55,000 per year.
Can an International Student Study for Free in the USA?
Yes. You can actually study for free in the United States by winning a scholarship for your undergraduate, graduate, or postgraduate study. You have to bring the best of the best performance to be awarded a full-ride scholarship.
You may opt for affordable schools that charge low tuition but keep in mind that you will have to pay for books, accommodation, and other fees. By winning a full-ride scholarship in the U.S., you will have the funds to cover the cost of your education including providing monthly or annual stipends thereby allowing you to study for free.
Which is the Cheapest University in the USA for International Students?
The cheapest university in the United States is the University of the People (UoPeople). This institution offers free tuition to both local and international students. However, students are required to pay some administrative fees to cover course assessments, ranging from $2,460 for an associate’s degree to $4,860 for a four-year bachelor’s degree program.
Cheapest Universities In The USA For International Students
Listed below are the cheapest universities in the US for foreign students. Keep in mind that these universities offer top-notch education although they are affordable.
They include:
- University of the People
- South Texas College
- Arkansas State University
- Minot State University
- Alcorn State University
- California State University
- San Mateo Colleges of Silicon Valley
- Hillsborough Community College
- Sonoma State University
- Bellevue University
- Westcliff University
- Southeast Missouri State University
- City University of New York
1. University Of The People
| International/DomesticStudents | Associate degree Administrative fee: $2,460 for two years Undergraduate: $4,860 for the four years |
University of the People (UoPeople) is a private non-profit, distance education, or online university that was established in 2009. The institution is the first university to offer online education for free all over the world.
UoPeople offers associate, bachelor’s, and master’s degree programs in different academic fields. These academic fields include business administration, computer science, education, and health science. Students learn from faculty members from NYU and UC Berkeley online.
UoPeople is accredited by the Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC)
2. South Texas College
| In-district Tuition | $2,400 per semester |
| Out-of-district Tuition | $2,550 per semester |
| International Students | $3,750 per semester |
South Texas College (STC) is a public community college in Texas that was founded in 1993. The university offers associate and bachelor’s degrees over six campuses. Although the university has very few foreign students (just 10% of the total student body), STC remains one of the cheapest universities in the USA for international students.
STC holds accreditation from the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.
3. Arkansas State University
| In-district Tuition | Undergraduate: $4,840 per semester Graduate: $4,188 per semester |
| International Students | Undergraduate: $8,635 per semester Graduate: $7,680 per semester |
Founded in 1909, Arkansas State University (A-State or ASU) is a public research university in Jonesboro, Arkansas.
ASU offers associate, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degree programs in agriculture, engineering & technology, education & behavioral science, liberal arts & communication, nursing & health professions, sciences & mathematics, and business.
4. Minot State University
| International Students | $4,316 per semester Graduate: $4,056 per semester |
MSU is among the most affordable universities in the U.S. for international students and also provides scholarships to help lessen their already low-cost fees.
The university offers over sixty (60) undergraduate programs and ten (10) graduate programs through the College of Arts and Sciences, College of Business, College of Education and Health Sciences, and a Graduate School.
5. Alcorn State University
| International Students | Undergraduate: $4,056 per semester Graduate: $3,645 per semester |
The aim of setting up ASU was to provide education for descendants of previously enslaved African Americans.
Alcorn has a percentage of approximately 3 percent international students. It ranks as one of the cheapest universities in the USA for international students.
ASU offers academic programs in more than 50 different fields of study through seven (7) schools including the School of Agriculture and Applied Sciences, School of Arts & Sciences, School of Business, School of Education & Psychology, and School of Nursing.
6. California State University
| In-district Tuition | Undergraduate: $2,871 per semester Graduate: $3,588 per semester |
| International Students | Undergraduate: $396 per credit hour Graduate: $270 Per credit hour |
Cal State is the largest public university in the U.S., and also one of the most affordable in the country.
CSU offers bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees in over 240 subject areas. Also, the university produces the largest number of bachelor’s degree holders in the United States.
7. San Mateo Colleges of Silicon Valley
| International Students | $4,308 per semester |
College of San Mateo (CSM) is a community college in San Mateo, California that was established in 1922.
The college offers 79 A.A./A.S. degree majors, 75 certificate programs, and approximately 100 transfer areas and majors. You should know that CSM’s highest degree is an Associate degree and they partner with more than 150 universities to easily transfer both domestic and international students for the completion of a bachelor’s degree.
8. Hillsborough Community College
| In-district Tuition | Undergraduate: $126.08 per credit hour |
| International Students | Undergraduate: $476.77 per credit hour |
Hillsborough Community College (HCC) is a public community college in Hillsborough County, Florida that was established in 1968. It’s one of the cheapest universities in the USA for international students that offers associate degrees in various areas of study.
9. Sonoma State University
| In-district Tuition | Undergraduate: $7,952 per year |
| International Students | Undergraduate: $9,504 per year Graduate: $465 per credit hour |
SSU is a public university in Rohnert Park in Sonoma County, California. The institution is one of the smallest universities in the California State University (CSU) system.
Sonoma State University is a Hispanic-serving institution that offers undergraduate, graduate, and doctorate degrees through six schools comprising over 65 departments. The schools include the School of Arts & Humanities, School of Business and Economics, School of Education, School of Extended & International Education, and School of Social Sciences.
10. Bellevue University
| In-district Tuition | Undergraduate: $339 per credit hour Graduate: $649 per credit hour |
| International Students | Undergraduate: $449 per credit hour Graduate: $649 Per credit hour |
Bellevue University is one of the most affordable private universities in the United States for international students.
The university offers several undergraduate and graduate programs such as accelerated, cohort-based, in-class, and online. The U.S. News & World Report reports that the university’s online bachelor’s degrees are among the top ten in the nation.
11. Southeast Missouri State University
| In-district Tuition | Undergraduate: $271 per credit hour Graduate: $7,371 per year |
| Online | Undergraduate: $271 per credit hour |
| International Students | Undergraduate: $501 per credit hour Graduate: $12,645 Per year |
SEMO is a public university in Cape Girardeau, Missouri that offers more than 200 academic programs leading to the award of bachelor’s degrees and master’s degrees.
As of Fall 2023, there are 1,153 (10% of the total student body) international students from 64 different countries studying at SEMO. Regardless of the small population of foreign students, they remain among the cheapest universities in the U.S. for international students.
12. City University of New York
| In-district Tuition | Undergraduate: $3,465 per semester |
| International Students | Undergraduate: $620 per credit hour |
CUNY is among the cheapest universities in the USA for international students and also provides more than 1,000 scholarships. It is made up of eleven senior colleges, seven community colleges, one undergraduate honors college, and seven post-graduate institutions.
CUNY has over 6,000 international students from 100 countries.
Cheapest Universities in the USA for International Students for Masters
Below is a table that contains the cheapest universities in the United States for international students for master’s degrees:
| S/N | cheapest universities in the USA for international students for Masters | International Tuition Fee |
| 13 | Nicholls State University | $5,682 per year based on 9 credit hours per semester |
| 14 | Eastern New Mexico University | $303 per credit hour |
| 15 | South Dakota State University | $5,886 per semester |
| 16 | Delta State University | $4,717 per semester |
| 17 | Mississippi University for Women | $3,996 per semester |
| 18 | Minnesota State University-Mankato | $7,300 per semester |
| 19 | Bridgewater State University | $9,040 per semester |
| 20 | Southwest Minnesota State University | $10,350 per semester |
| 21 | Brigham Young University | $16,192 per year |
Key Takeaway
You can see there are several cheapest universities in the USA for international students whether you intend to attend community college, public university, or private. Another interesting thing about these schools is that they didn’t sacrifice the quality of the school for affordability.