The Cheapest Universities in the USA for International Students

If you are an international student, who wants to earn a degree from the United States, yet fears taking loans, we provide you with a list of cheap universities. These institutions charge relatively cheaper tuition fees while offering quality education; hence, they will help you save your money while having a strong educational background.

Though the USA seems to be in the top ranks of the more expensive countries for international students to get a higher education, many colleges provide excellent education at pocket-friendlier prices. Here is the list of affordable and high-quality universities in the USA.

Affordable and cheap universities in the USA 

The tuition fees listed are approximate and can vary depending on the program and other factors. Additional costs such as living expenses, books, and insurance are not included. 

It's advisable to check each university’s official website or contact their admissions office for the most up-to-date information and any available scholarships or financial aid opportunities.

According to the Opendoors 2023 report on international educational exchange, the U.S. hosted more than 1 million international students; enrollments are climbing at all levels of the sector. Chinese and Indian students continue to be the two largest sources of international students coming to study at USA colleges and universities.

If you are an international student, these are the reasons why you should consider studying in the USA:

• The USA houses a good number of universities and colleges around the world that offer quality education.
• The variety of courses and majors available is simply an open opportunity for students looking for programs that appeal to their interests and future career aims.
• You can study at a US university, thereby gaining hands-on experience with a new way of life and making friends worldwide.
• Most of the teaching is done in English, which again helps one acquire language skills.
• Most of the universities provide students with the opportunity to be part of many innovative research projects.
• You will have job opportunities and a strong professional network as a U.S. college graduate.

It is the mixture of quality education with numerous options and cultural experiences that makes the USA so attractive to international students.

Read more: Student life in the USA | Intakes in the USA

If you are looking to study in the USA, Apply now and secure your spot for the 2025 intake in USA!

Cheapest and affordable universities in the USA for UG

Affordable and cheap universities in the USA for PG

Tuition fees can vary based on the program, residency status, and other factors. For the most accurate and current information, it's best to consult each university's official website or contact their admissions office directly.

Unlock your potential: Upcoming intakes in the USA 2025-2026

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Why are these universities affordable and cheap?

While this may be true, compared to other nations, U.S.A. universities are not necessarily cheap or even affordable. Many American universities, in truth, are very expensive. However, listed here are some factors that may bend the perception of affordability:

Many U.S. universities offer huge financial aid packages, scholarships, and grants to the students, which can greatly reduce the cost if one falls under the merited category of students.

Community colleges in the U.S. can contribute lower prices and, therefore, be more affordable to the students.

Public universities have in-state tuition rates that are lower than out-of-state tuition rates. Therefore, they are relatively cheap for in-state residents.

Most colleges have diversified income streams, including alumni gifts, endowments, and research grants that may offset costs and occasionally lower the direct cost to the students.

There are cheap masters degree for international students that are comparatively less in cost compared to the other countries.

Some colleges and states offer free community college or offer free tuition to certain students to help defray the cost of a college education.

How to make your USA international student experience more affordable?

Found an affordable university and won a scholarship, yet still searching for more money to study in the US? 

The following tips will help you save some money:

• With the rising cost of living, staying in a student dorm may relieve you from dealing with utility bills, groceries, and deposits. Dorms are all-in-one facilities and hence a very popular choice among freshmen students.
• You will often be closer to most student activities, events, and campus while studying in the smaller college town. You might need to deal with the hectic traffic when commuting to class in bigger commuter cities. So its better to choose college towns over big cities.
• Many restaurants, cafes, and other bars and bookstores, clothes shops, cinemas, etc. give out student discounts. Just ask!
• You can buy used textbooks, furniture, or clothes from departing students at a very cheap rate.
• Many affordable universities offer merit-based or need-based scholarships for international students.
• You are permitted to work part-time on campus with an F1 student visa for a maximum of 20 hours a week. There are usually plenty of options available, ranging from tutoring and being a campus ambassador to working as a barista, receptionist, or sales assistant.

Read more: Cost of living in the USA for International students

Also read: Highest paying part-time jobs for international students in the USA

Scholarships available for students:

Everyone knows that studying in the US can be very expensive, but don't let that stop you—there are plenty of opportunities to get funding.

One can't get all the scholarships, basically because some are only for the US citizens. However, it seems that with the internationalization of US universities, the number of scholarships available to international students is rising higher and higher. What is of even more convenience is that some US universities provide need-blind admission to international students.

Here's a list of scholarships available for international students to study in the US, including those funded by the US government, by private organizations, and by specific institutions.

Government-funded US scholarships:

Fulbright foreign student program:

This prestigious program funds graduate students, young professionals, and artists to study in the US for one year or more. Open to international students in all fields except medicine.

Hubert humphrey fellowship program:

A non-degree scholarship for professionals abroad with relevant experience, this allows them to spend 10 months in academic activities in the United States. This does not lead to a degree, yet the opportunity to gain knowledge within the different institutions spread all around the country is within reach.

NGO US scholarship grants for international students 

#YouAreWelcomeHere scholarship: 

This is available for students from any country, for any subject at one of 57 participating US colleges or universities. The student needs to submit an essay or video which describes his/her proposed contribution toward intercultural learning and exchange.

Civil society leadership awards: 

Full-scholarship awards of the highest caliber, targeted toward fully participating students in their relevant countries to undertake their master's level study in the US, or any other host country.

David P. Shapiro autism scholarship: 

$1,000 for a current or prospective U.S. student diagnosed with autism.

The Preply scholarship: 

Three scholarships in total, comprising a maximum of $2,000 each for students, either domestic or international, between the ages of 16 to 35. This will require an applicant to submit a 500-word essay on themes such as online education, multilingualism, and professional development.

Surfshark Privacy and Security scholarship: 

One scholarship, amounting to $2,000, which must be open to those students currently studying in the US or any other study destination at high school, undergraduate, or graduate levels. It is open to all nationalities and requires one to submit an essay.

Tortuga Backpacks study abroad scholarship: 

A scholarship of $1,000 awarded twice a year to international students who have the desire to study in the US.

For female students:

AAUW International Fellowships: 

Fellowships offered by the American Association of University Women to support female international students who aspire to complete their studies in the United States.

Bat and Ball Game Women's Sports Scholarship: 

A $1,000 scholarship available to women at any US university in a sports-related discipline.

MIT-Zaragoza Women in Logistics and SCM Scholarship: 

Available to women of any age, ethnicity, or nationality, the scholarship is awarded for studies at the Zaragoza Logistics Center at MIT.

Also read: 

• Scholarship to study in USA for Indian students
• Scholarships for international students in USA

Eligibility criteria for scholarships in the USA

Here are some of the standard eligibility criteria for scholarships in the USA for students:

• A Bachelor’s degree from a recognised university
• A good GMAT score or GRE score
• A minimum of 2-3 years of work experience
• English proficiency test scores (TOEFL or IELTS)
• LOR (Letters of recommendation)
• SOP (Statement of purpose)
• Resume/CV
• Application fee

It is advisable to check the specific requirements of each university before applying to ascertain that you meet all the eligibility criteria.

Read more: How to get a scholarship to study in USA

Cost of living in the USA for Indian students

If you are an Indian who is planning to study in the US, you should know that it is one of the costliest destinations to study, and thus, you should also take into account the cost of living. 

The average monthly living cost in the US is approximately INR 1L per month per person.

The USA is frequently talked of as a country with an expensive life. Hence, it is a difficult task to come up with a right estimation of cost of living.

In general, it is advisable for you to have an idea about the cost of rent, transportation, utilities, and groceries, so you can construe your funds accordingly.

This following presents a comprehensive overview of the living expenses of Indian students in the USA (monthly costs): 

Note: It is important to note that the above figures are only rough estimates and can be quite different depending on your location and lifestyle.

Also read: Affordable cities in the USA for Indian students

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FAQs:

1. What are the public universities in the USA with low tuition fees?

Public universities in the USA can have very affordable tuition fees, usually only for students in that state. For example, the University of Florida is located in Gainesville, and an in-state tuition fee will run a student about $6,000 per year. An out-of-state tuition fee runs approximately $28,000 per year.

2. What are the cheapest universities in the USA?

Listed below are some of the cheapest and most affordable universities in the USA: Minot State University, Wayne State College, Southwestern Oklahoma State University, Adams State University, and Valdosta State University.

3. Which state is cheapest for international students in the USA?

Wyoming happens to be the cheapest state for international students in the USA. There have been numerous reports about the record 1,200 international students in Wyoming. The education and living facilities in Wyoming are the cheapest. Wyoming is followed by Indiana, Missouri, Alabama, and Kansas.

4. Is the USA costly to study?

Studying in the USA can be pretty expensive. While costs vary widely depending on the institution, location, and type of program, all of it boils down to tuition, living expenses, health insurance, books, supplies, visa applications, and travels. Many American universities are, in fact, very expensive; however, there are plenty of ways to get funding and scholarships.