Safe Travels USA
Best for Visitors
Economical Plan
COVID19 included
Covers Medical
Pre-Existing Conditions
First Health Network
Atlas America
Rated “A – Excellent”
COVID19 included
Covers Medical
Covers Dental
Trip Cancellation
Full Refund on Cancel
Last Updated on January 28, 2023 by Mani Karthik
Being an international student in the United States can be an exciting experience, but it can also be expensive. Fortunately, there are several affordable options for those who want to study abroad in the USA.
This list of the 21 cheapest and most affordable colleges in the USA for international students should help you get started. Here is a look at some of the top universities that won’t break your budget.
1. The University of the District of Columbia
The University of the District of Columbia is one of the most affordable colleges for international students in USA due to its low tuition fees and generous financial aid packages.
The university offers a variety of undergraduate, graduate, and professional degree programs that are highly competitively priced.
On average, it costs approximately $14,000 to complete an undergraduate degree at the University of the District of Columbia. This cost includes tuition, room and board, books and supplies, and other related expenses.
Additionally, the university offers generous scholarships and grants to qualified international students, making it even more affordable to pursue a degree at UDC.
2. California State University – Long Beach
California State University – Long Beach is one of the most affordable colleges for international students in the USA due to its competitive tuition rates and financial aid options.
The estimated cost for an international student to complete a course at the university is approximately $20,000 per academic year.
This amount includes tuition fees, books, housing, meals, health insurance, and other related expenses. Additionally, international students may be eligible to receive merit-based scholarships and grants to help reduce their overall costs.
3. CUNY Baruch College
CUNY Baruch College is one of the most affordable colleges for international students in the USA. The college offers a variety of financial aid options, including grants, scholarships, loans, and work-study programs.
It also has an International Student Scholarship Program that provides scholarships for full-time international undergraduate students.
The cost of completing a course at CUNY Baruch College typically ranges from $2,000 to $5,000 per semester, depending on the program.
4. The University of Texas at El Paso
The University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) is one of the most affordable colleges for international students in the United States.
The university has a number of programs and scholarships to help make college more affordable for international students.
UTEP offers an International Education Fee Waiver program, which waives non-resident tuition fees for international students. UTEP also offers need-based grants, as well as merit-based scholarships to help international students pay for their education.
Additionally, UTEP offers low-cost housing options for international students.
On average, it costs approximately $25,000 to $30,000 to complete a course at UTEP. This cost includes tuition, books, supplies, and other associated fees. Financial aid is available to help international students offset some of these costs.
5. Florida International University
Florida International University (FIU) is one of the most affordable colleges for international students in the United States. FIU offers a variety of financial aid options and scholarships to assist international students with their tuition costs.
Moreover, the university’s tuition and fees are significantly lower than those of other universities in the US. For example, a full-time undergraduate student at FIU pays an average of $18,000 for tuition and fees for one academic year.
Additionally, FIU provides various online programs and courses, which are more affordable than on-campus programs.
On average, it would cost approximately $10,000-$20,000 to complete a course at FIU, depending on the program.
6. New Mexico State University
New Mexico State University is one of the most affordable colleges for international students in the United States due to its low tuition costs and generous scholarship opportunities.
The university offers both undergraduate and graduate programs, and tuition fees are around $9,000 a year for full-time study.
The university also provides a variety of scholarships and financial aid packages, including merit-based scholarships, need-based grants, and student loans. Additionally, the university’s affordable cost of living means that international students can enjoy a quality education without breaking the bank.
On average, it costs around $18,000 to complete a course at New Mexico State University.
7. The University of North Carolina at Charlotte
The University of North Carolina at Charlotte is one of the most affordable colleges for international students in the USA due to its competitive tuition rates and generous scholarships. UNC Charlotte offers undergraduate and graduate degree programs at both in-state and out-of-state tuition rates, making it an attractive option for international students.
The approximate cost to complete a course at UNC Charlotte is around $30,000 per year.
This cost includes tuition, room and board, books and supplies, and other fees. The university also offers several scholarship opportunities for international students, which can help reduce the cost of tuition and other expenses.
8. The University of Utah
The University of Utah is one of the most affordable colleges for international students in the USA due to its generous scholarship and financial aid opportunities.
The university also offers a variety of programs and degrees to suit different needs and interests. In addition, it has a strong academic reputation and a vibrant international student community.
The estimated cost for a full-time undergraduate course at the University of Utah is approximately $25,000 per year, including tuition, fees, books, and other expenses.
This cost can be reduced significantly by taking advantage of scholarships, grants, and other financial aid options offered by the university.
9. The University of Alabama
The University of Alabama is one of the most affordable colleges for international students in the USA due to its competitive tuition rates.
The university offers a variety of financial aid options, including scholarships and grants, to help international students pay for their studies.
The estimated cost of completing a course at the University of Alabama ranges from $9,000 to $15,000 USD per year.
This includes tuition, fees, room and board, and other expenses. Additionally, the University of Alabama offers student support services such as visa assistance, career counseling, and academic advising.
These services help international students succeed and make the most of their studies in the USA.
10. The University of South Dakota
The University of South Dakota is one of the most affordable colleges for international students in the USA due to its competitive tuition rates and financial aid packages.
It offers a high-quality education at an affordable price, with an average cost of approximately $25,000 per year for a full-time undergraduate student.
USD also provides several scholarships and grants for international students, including the International Education Scholarship and the International Student Grant, which can help to significantly reduce the cost of attendance.
The university also offers several flexible payment plans, making it easier for international students to pay for their education without breaking the bank.
11. The University of Wyoming
The University of Wyoming is one of the most affordable colleges for international students in the USA. It has a low tuition fee and offers various scholarships and financial aid programs to international students.
The cost of studying at the university depends on the program and varies from $10,000 to $30,000 per year.
This includes tuition fees, living costs, books, and other miscellaneous expenses. The university also offers a variety of housing options for international students, ranging from dorms to off-campus housing.
In addition, the university offers several student services to help international students adjust to life in the USA.
All these factors make the University of Wyoming one of the most affordable and attractive options for international students.
12. The University of Idaho
The University of Idaho is one of the most affordable colleges for international students in the USA.
It offers a wide range of degree programs and financial aid opportunities, making it one of the most cost-effective options for international students.
The tuition fees at the University of Idaho are among the lowest in the US, with an estimated total cost of attendance ranging from $25,000 to $35,000 per year, depending on the program.
This includes tuition fees, housing, living expenses, and other costs. With such low tuition fees, international students can make significant savings when compared to other universities in the USA.
13. University of Nebraska-Lincoln
The University of Nebraska-Lincoln is one of the most affordable colleges for international students in the USA. The university offers competitive tuition fees, and its low cost of living makes it even more attractive to international students.
Additionally, the university offers a variety of scholarships and financial aid packages to assist international students in paying for their studies.
The total cost of completing a course at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln is approximately $25,000 per year. This includes tuition fees, books, housing, and other miscellaneous expenses.
14. Mississippi Valley State University
Mississippi Valley State University (MVSU) is one of the most affordable colleges for international students in the USA due to its competitive tuition rates and generous financial aid packages.
With its tuition and fees costing approximately $7,726 USD per academic year, MVSU offers an affordable option for international students to pursue a high-quality American education.
The total cost of completing a course at MVSU can vary depending on the number of credit hours taken, but is estimated to range from around $9,000 to $20,000 USD for a bachelor’s degree.
15. Montana State University
Montana State University (MSU) is one of the most affordable colleges for international students in the USA because it offers a variety of financial aid and scholarship options that can help reduce the cost of tuition.
Additionally, MSU offers several programs specifically for international students, such as the International Student Exchange Program and the International Student Mentorship Program, which provide additional support and resources.
The approximate cost to complete a course at MSU depends on the program of study and the length of the program, but generally ranges from around $20,000 to $40,000 per year.
16. Arkansas State University
Arkansas State University is one of the most affordable colleges for international students in USA due to its comparatively low tuition fees, generous scholarships and financial aid packages, and a wide range of courses and programs.
A full-time international student studying at Arkansas State University will pay approximately $20,000 per year, which includes tuition, fees, housing, and meals.
However, this cost can be reduced through various scholarships, grants, and other financial aid opportunities.
For example, the International Alumni Scholarship offers up to $4,000 for international students who have graduated from an Arkansas high school.
Additionally, Arkansas State University offers several tuition payment plans to help students manage their tuition costs.
17. South Dakota State University
South Dakota State University (SDSU) is one of the most affordable colleges for international students in the USA, offering a high-quality education at an affordable price. SDSU offers generous scholarships and financial aid packages to international students.
The average cost of tuition, fees, and other expenses for an academic year for an undergraduate international student is approximately $25,000.
This figure includes tuition and fees, room and board, books and supplies, health insurance, and other miscellaneous expenses.
SDSU also offers several scholarship opportunities for international students, which can further reduce the cost of attendance.
18. Western Kentucky University
Western Kentucky University is one of the most affordable universities for international students in the USA because of its commitment to providing quality education at an affordable cost.
The university offers a range of tuition fees, based on the program and major chosen by the student.
Tuition fees for international students are generally lower than those for domestic students, making WKU one of the most affordable universities for international students.
On average, it costs approximately $7,000-$10,000 per year for international students to complete a course at WKU.
19. Georgia Southwestern State University
Georgia Southwestern State University is one of the most affordable colleges for international students in USA. With its tuition fees at around $19,000 per year, it is an attractive option for those looking for a quality education at an affordable cost.
Additionally, GSW offers several scholarships and financial aid packages that can further reduce the cost of attendance for international students.
The university also offers student-friendly housing options, making it an even more attractive choice for international students looking to study in the United States.
On average, it costs around $20,000-$25,000 to complete a course at Georgia Southwestern State University.
20. Austin Peay State University
Austin Peay State University (APSU) is one of the most affordable universities in the United States for international students.
It offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate degree programs at competitive prices. The university also offers tuition discounts for students from certain countries, making it even more affordable.
APSU also offers financial aid and scholarships to international students who qualify.
The estimated cost for a full-time student to complete an undergraduate degree program at APSU is approximately $25,000 per academic year.
This includes tuition, fees, books, room and board, and other related expenses.
21. Alabama A&M University
Alabama A&M University is one of the most affordable colleges for international students in USA.
The tuition fees at Alabama A&M University are among the lowest in the USA, and the university also offers a range of financial aid packages to support international students.
On average, it costs approximately $10,000-$15,000 to complete a course at Alabama A&M University.
This includes tuition fees, living expenses, books, and other miscellaneous expenses. The university also offers a variety of scholarships and grants to help international students cover their tuition and living expenses.
