If you think that studying in the reportedly world’s most powerful country will cost you an arm and a leg, let us reassure you with this list of cheapest universities in USA for international students.
The number of international students in the USA reached incredible 1.18 million in May 2017. Statistics show that more than three-quarters of the students came from Asia. Almost a third – 362,368 – came from China, while 206,698 came from India. South Korea and Saudi Arabia students followed, but not in such high numbers. However, USA Today College reports American universities are facing a decline in the number of international students in the fall of 2017, which is mostly due to 2016 “Trump effect” on colleges, i.e., the changes in American openness to foreigners. If this information has made you indecisive, maybe you could check which are the easiest German universities to get into or check some other cheap universities for international students in Europe. If you go to study in Norway, you’ll love the fact that studying is free. However, there is an issue with the language, and the problem with many European universities is the fact that they treat students from the EU and other countries differently. If you really wish to learn your subjects in English and stay close to the US, there’s always the option of visiting their friendly neighbor. Some of the cheapest Canadian universities for international students can be found at World Scholarship Forum. New Brunswick Community College is the most affordable college in Canada for international students. The annual international tuition fee is only $6,300 (American dollars, no mistake about it).
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Those are all options you can have in the world, but the US is still one of the best possible choices. Why is the USA so appealing to the future freshmen? There is not an easy answer. Is it because the US is known for shaping future world’s leaders, or some of the most powerful people in the world? Perhaps it’s because the land of the free and home of the brave offers spectacular job opportunities (just remember all those stories about self-made millionaires)? Or maybe it’s all due to the popular blockbusters about college life in the US? Whatever your reason is, we are going to help you by listing cheap universities in the USA for international students in 2017.
Believe it or not, but some of the cheapest universities for international students in the world are situated in the US. The ones that we are going to present in our article cost under $10,000 per year. Of course, international students face many challenges when coming to a foreign country, and one of them is money management. Firstly, indifference to the locals, international first-year students have to pay for a long and expensive trip, and the living standard is usually higher in the US than in their home countries. In a nutshell, the cost of living is more expensive. For that reason, new students (and their parents) need all the help they can get. Some universities are offering full scholarships for international students. For instance, Berea College is the only college in the US offering 100% funding to 100% of enrolled international students for the first year of enrollment. In addition, universities help students by offering and providing scholarships and loans. If you are already worried how you are going to return that student loan, fear no more. In our article on easiest college majors that will earn your money back, you will find the solutions to your financial challenges.
Now let us see how we compiled our list of cheapest universities in USA for international students. US News and College Calc gave us valuable suggestions on the cheapest universities for both out-of-state and international students. We compared the lists and constructed a new one comprising the most affordable options. In cases when two colleges had the same fee, we included the one whose percentage of students receiving grants was higher (it is actually 100%). Our list includes annual tuition, as well as the location of the university so you could construct your own shortlist more easily. Bear in mind this list is a starting point since there are lots of other compulsory fees which could affect the overall education cost. As usual, we offer you the latest data for the school year 2017, which means that schools which are being closed down at the moment, are not a part of the list (e.g., Western International University). They are mostly state colleges and some of them are cheapest community colleges in USA for international students.
Without further ado, here are 15 cheapest universities in USA for international students.
15. Central Yeshiva Tomchei Tmimim Lubavitz
Tuition: $9,400
Location: New York
At first, we thought universities that enroll only students of a certain religion should be excluded from the list, but perhaps one of the readers is looking for a school just like this. Central Yeshiva Tomchei Tmimim Lubavitz offers four years education to future rabbis. If you don’t fit into the category, read on.
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14. Allegheny Wesleyan College
Tuition: $9,400
Location: Ohio
“Where God is first” is their motto. It is no wonder since this is a four-year Bible college dedicated to preparing Christian ministers, missionaries, and teachers. Now, let’s see what’s next on our list of cheapest universities in USA for international students.
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13. Dickinson State University
Tuition: $9,150
Location: North Dakota
It has almost 50 academic programs and about 1425 enrolled students from all walks of life. You can definitely find diversity at this school. Their Financial Aid office can help you a great deal with finding some extra funds.
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12. Mayville State University
Tuition: $9,084
Location: North Dakota
We are continuing our list of cheapest universities in USA for international students with the MSU that was founded in 1898, and it is located in a rural setting. Not all the students who apply are enrolled, so make sure you do your best. There are lots of classes with 20 or less students which makes the learning environment close to perfection.
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11. Turtle Mountain Community College
Tuition: $9,024
Location: North Dakota
If you wish to attend this college, there is a catch. You would have to be a Native American and possess some kind of document to prove it. The college is conveniently situated near the border with Canada. As for financial aid, students who are more than 1/4 Indian blood are considered eligible for Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) scholarships. BIA/OIEP funds are only awarded to members of a federally recognized Native American tribe.
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10. Brigham Young University
Tuition: $9,016
Location: Utah
After so many state schools, here is a private research university. Brigham Young University prides itself on being diverse in culture with over 30,000 students from the 50 states and 115 different countries.
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9. Northcentral University
Tuition: $8,808
Location: Minnesota
They are 40% cheaper than the average national Arizona tuition. It is a Christian, urban university, but the bad news is there is no campus, so the costs of living will be much higher when you don’t live with the family.
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8. Bemidji State University
Tuition: $8,644
Location: Minnesota
Don’t let the name discourage you. The university is situated in Bemidji, a town near Bemidji Lake. Bemidji State University, or BSU, has over 5,000 students and a beautiful campus near the lake.
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7. Southeastern Baptist College
Tuition: $8,590
Location: Mississippi
SBC stands not only for Southeastern Baptist College but for their motto as well: Serving Christ with a Biblical worldview in a Christian atmosphere. This college is mainly attended by students interested in church-related vocation, but the school also offers a two-year program after which a student may transfer to another college in pursuit of a different career.
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6. Southwest Minnesota State University
Tuition: $8,338
Location: Minnesota
Founded in 1963, this public school, next on the list of cheapest universities in USA for international students, has over 6,000 students, and the campus spreads over 216 acres. SMSU is located near a small town of 13,000 inhabitants. It is very proud of its athletic successes, so it’s worth exploring if you are sporty.
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5. University of Texas Permian Basin
Tuition: $8,274
Location: Texas
This cheap university in the USA for international students will especially be interested to freshmen interested in communications, arts, kinesiology, or online degree programs. Their business school is ranked in the top third of U.S. business schools, which is an impressive fact. It also received accreditation from the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)-International.
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4. Central State University
Tuition: $8,096
Location: Ohio
Central State University, that ranked 4th on the list of cheapest universities in USA for international students, is Ohio’s only publicly funded Historically Black University. Its acceptance rate was only 42% last fall. They have room for 1741 students, and around 40% usually live on campus. It does not state explicitly that you have to be black to enroll.
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3. Diné College
Tuition: $7,065
Location: Arizona
What sets Diné College, next on our list of cheapest universities in USA for international students, apart is the fact that it is a tribally controlled community college. The good news is you don’t have to be a member of the Navajo people. They are offering a warm welcome to all students willing to join the academic life.
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2. Alcorn State University
Tuition: $6,888
Location: Mississippi
Alcorn State University is a Historically Black College or University (HBCU) with a principal mission of educating and serving the black community. Luckily, that does not mean you have to belong to a certain ethnicity or group. The data is discouraging, though, when it comes to diversity. It can’t be defined as very ethnically diverse.
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1. Minot State University
Tuition: $6,810
Location: North Dakota
Minot State University tops our list of cheapest universities in USA for international students. It will be interesting to know that Minot State University was enlisted as one of the Most Affordable Undergraduate Business Schools for 2016 according to College Choice. Apart from business studies, there are plenty more departments to opt for. One thing is sure; you won’t find a cheaper university anywhere else in the US!
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