It is factual that studying in the US is way too expensive than other countries when it comes to higher education. Still, it's counted as one of the most preferred destinations among international, especially Indian students,to do a Bachelor's or Master's program. However, there are several cheapest universities in the USAfor foreign nationals that offer up to 4-year UG and accredited master's study programs. Hence, get a quick overview of the blog and unlock valuable facts about the most affordable colleges to study in USA this year.
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The USA is a hub for knowledge, career prospects, and innovation, particularly in the tech sector. Hence, that's the reason many students from all over the world move to this country for higher education. And why shouldn't they? The States is counted as the land that offers phenomenal education and outstanding career prospects. Still, here comes the dilemma where students don't want to spend a fortune on their studies. That's the reason they look for affordable universities in USA to spend minimal from their monetary values. Here are the top causes of it:
The USA is infamous for its extremely high student loan debt, and it's even more increased for foreign nationals. Hence, starting with a lower student loan by selecting an affordable university will set you up for long-term financial stability.
The cost you see online or on the university website only covers tuition costs and doesn't comprise living expenses, textbooks, and other materials. So, attending an inexpensive institution allows you to invest in additional aspects of education, extracurricular activities, etc.
Students often wonder what if they get fewer privileges because of paying less. However, thecheapest colleges in the US still offer the same prospects for research, networking, internships, and much more in this payment.
Also Read: A Complete Guide on Student Visa for the USA and Criteria
Further, the subsequent section covers the top cheapest colleges in the US for students arriving from all over the world.
Finding an affordable university, and that too in the USA, can be challenging. However, several institutions offer the same education without compromising the course quality at an affordable cost. Hence, it wouldn't cost an arm and a leg! In this section, we've assembled a list of the low tuition fee universities in USA for foreign scholars:
| MOST AFFORDABLE UNIVERSITIES IN USA WITH QS WORLD RANKINGS 2024 | AVERAGE TUITION FEES / YEAR |
|---|---|
| #1201-1400 California State University | USD 20,347.98 |
| #551-600Southeast Missouri State University | USD 16,158.69 |
| #299-400 Arkansas State University | USD 13,166.34 |
| #116 The University of Wisconsin | USD 20,347.98 |
| Brooklyn College | USD 16,158.69 |
| Dakota State University | USD 11,969.4 |
| #3183 of 14,131 Southwest Minnesota State University | USD 10,772.46 |
| #1001-1200 Brigham Young University | USD 17,954.1 |
| #3041 Northwest Missouri State University | USD 14,363.28 |
| #369 out of 435 University of Louisiana at Monroe | USD 20,347.98 |
So, these are some top universities in USA that offer low tuition costs with quality education. Further, let's learn about the courses offered by these universities via the table!
As we know, studying in the USA provides scholars with a unique experience and exposure to diverse career opportunities for personal as well as professional growth. So, we've compiled some of the top courses for Indian students to pursue in any of these cheapest universities in the USA:
| USA UNIVERSITIES | TOP COURSES OFFERED (DEPARTMENTS) |
|---|---|
| California State University, LA |
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| Southeast Missouri State University |
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| Arkansas State University |
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| The University of Wisconsin |
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| Brooklyn College |
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| Dakota State University |
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| Southwest Minnesota State University |
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| Brigham Young University |
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| Northwest Missouri State University |
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| University of Louisiana at Monroe |
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These are the overall departments of subjects offered by these inexpensive universities in the USA. But from the table, it's still unclear if these courses are for graduate or post-graduate degrees. Hence, we've curated sections based on UG and PG universities and what courses they are offering. Check out!
According to the latest data from US Embassy & Consulates in India, the number of Indian students moving to the States for UG studies has gradually increased in recent years. In the 2022-23 academic year, about 31,954 students left India to study for a Bachelor's degree in the USA, and this is a 16% increment from the 2021-22 academic year. Here's a list ofthetop10cheapest US-based universities to study a UG program.
| MOST AFFORDABLE UNIVERSITIES IN USA FOR UG DEGREE | TOP COURSES & TUITION FEE |
|---|---|
| Elizabeth State University |
1stYear Tuition Fee:USD 10,535 / Annually |
| Northwest Missouri State University |
1stYear Tuition Fee:USD 15,031 / Annually |
| Brigham Young University |
1stYear Tuition Fee:USD 6499 / Annually |
| University of Louisiana Monroe |
1stYear Tuition Fee:USD9400 / Annually |
| Arkansas Tech University |
1stYear Tuition Fee:USD 11,990 |
| Dakota State University |
1stYear Tuition Fee:USD 13,166 |
| California State University |
1stYear Tuition Fee:USD 7,478 |
| University of Hawaii at Hilo |
1stYear Tuition Fee:USD 10,152 |
| Minot State University |
1stYear Tuition Fee:USD 8,632 |
| University of North Georgia |
1stYear Tuition Fee:USD 10,907 |
Among all the institutions in UG education, California State can be seen as the cheapest university in USA for international students. Additionally, we will look into the affordable universities to study a PG course through the following section!
Also Read: An Ultimate Guide on MBA in USA for International Student
When it comes to seeking master's studies in the USA, Indian students often face difficulty managing the high tuition fees offered by the top-ranked universities. The average tuition cost for master's courses in the US is somewhere around USD 19,000-USD 65,000 annually.
As we know, UG programs provide a strong foundation, while PG studies offer students to gain a strong command of their field of interest and develop cutting-edge skills. Consequently, here's a list of some of the cheapest universities in the USA to study a PG degree:
| MOST AFFORDABLE UNIVERSITIES IN USA FOR MASTER’S | TOP COURSES & TUITION FEE |
|---|---|
| New Mexico Highlands University |
1stYear Tuition Fee:USD 12,936 |
| Brigham Young University |
Average Tuition Fee:USD 16,192 Annually |
| Arkansas Tech University |
Average Tuition Fee:USD 9,292 Annually |
| California State University |
Average Tuition Fee:USD 17,750 Annually |
| Southeast Missouri State University |
Average Tuition Fee:USD 13,237 Annually |
| University of Louisiana Monroe |
Average Tuition Fee:USD 12,808 Annually |
| Northwest Missouri State University |
Average Tuition Fee:USD 16,966 Annually |
| West Texas A&M University |
Average Tuition Fee:USD 14,186 |
| South Dakota State University |
Average Tuition Fee:USD 12,494 Annually |
So, these are some universities to study a master's course in the USA. Not only just tuition fees, some of them even offer accommodation facilities in a decent price range. We'll discuss them in later sections. Before that, let's understand why these institutes offer affordable tuition fees and quality teaching facilities.
Here are some reasons why these universities are affordable in the USA for Indian students:
One of the significant factors is the availability of various scholarships and financial assistance programs for international students. Meanwhile, these grants are offered by these colleges or external organizations. For instance, one of the University of Louisiana at Monroe scholarships offers up to 5 Lakhs of tuition fee waiver.
Some of the US institutions receive funding from government or non-governmental associations to support student's academic degrees and other research activities costs. For instance, the University of Wisconsin is a public institution that receives state funding to help eligible domestic as well as international students against their tuition costs.
Brigham Young, one of the cheapest universities in the USA, is owned and managed by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (LDS Church). The reason for its affordability is the significant support from the LDS church that sponsors tuition costs for its students. So, these funds from the Church are used to maintain the institute by keeping the tuition cost low and the education quality excessively high.
These are three primary reasons why these universities offer lower tuition fees or waive a specific amount from the academic cost. So, before moving on to the other financial offers, let's first learn about the eligibility requirements for a successful enrolment in these cheapest US-based universities!
Every affordable university in the US has its eligibility criteria for international students. Generally, these institutions consider student's academic achievements and English test scores (like TOEFL or IELTS), and standardized test scores (GMAT/GRE/SAT/ACT) for some study programs are required. Moreover, demonstrating your ability to cover tuition and other expenses is essential as well. Confusing, right? Worry not, we've created a checklist anyway!
| ELIGIBILITY FOR THE CHEAPEST UNIVERSITIES IN USA | |
|---|---|
| For an Undergraduate Degree |
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| For a Master’s Degree |
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Now, let's move on to the various scholarships presented, especially for Indian students to study at US universities!
Scholarships / Grants / Awards can be an excellent pathway for Indian students to reduce the financial burden of pursuing education in the USA. Here are some of the renowned scholarships for Indian students to study at any of the US institutions:
Indian students seeking to study any UG, PG, or Doctorate program in the US with a scholarship must be aware of the specific eligibility criteria. Each university has its requirements, but some conditions remain similar, including-
So, it's advisable to check the specific prerequisites of each university before applying for any scholarship program. Now, let's move on to how the housing cost treats Indian students in the US!
Indian students who finally decided to study in the US must know the cost of living in the country. One person's average tenancy cost in the States is roughly INR 1 Lakh a month. Here's a table outlining the average cost of living in the USA:
| FACTORS | MONTHLY EXPENDITURE |
|---|---|
| Monthly Transportation Pass | USD 79.89 |
| Basic Utilities Cost | USD 215.60 |
| Average Groceries Cost | USD 251.53 - USD 550.97 |
| Average Monthly Rent | USD 1,796.66 |
Studying in the US can be an exciting experience for Indian students looking to explore good career prospects in future and more when they choose among the cheapest universities in the USA. Meanwhile, it's also been observed that the cost of living in the States is high, but there are different ways to make your stay comfortable and less pricey. For instance, finding shared housing, using public transportation, and taking benefits of student discounts. However, if you're less aware of the accommodation options, rely on Gradding.com. With study abroad services and IELTS preparation, they even have links with housing agents in the US to help students get a good staycation on and off campus at decent prices. Also, they are available across India, from North to South regions, including Jaipur, Udaipur, Chennai, etc. So, students looking for study abroad consultants in Chennai, Jaipur or anywhere around India must count on Gradding for services at an affordable cost.
Yes, it's possible to study in the US without spending much on tuition fees. All you have to do is, find the cheapest college in the country that offers high-quality education at an affordable cost.
For students wondering what is the cheapest college in the USA or their tuition fees, here are some of them-
Yes, most universities ask for IELTS test scores to study in a reputed academic institution in the USA. However, other English proficiency tests, including TOEFL and PTE, are also accepted by many universities across the USA.
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