Top 10 Low‑Cost U.S. Colleges for International Students (2025)
Top 10 Low-Cost U.S. Colleges for International Students (2025 Guide)
Why Choose Low-Cost U.S. Colleges as an International Student?
Let’s be honest — studying in the USA is a big dream but also big money. That’s why smart students go for **low-cost colleges**. You still get that shiny U.S. degree, world-class teachers, and cool campus life, but without emptying your family’s savings!
Low-fee universities give you all the basics — good courses, nice teachers, gym, library, sports, food, friends — everything! But at a **budget price**. So more money stays in your pocket for travel, Netflix, or maybe sending some home.
Most of these colleges offer:
- ✅ Tuition under $10,000/year
- ✅ Scholarships just for international students
- ✅ Campus jobs or part-time work to cover expenses
- ✅ Online application (no need to fly anywhere!)
- ✅ Super friendly teachers and helpful classmates
Also, many low-cost colleges are in peaceful, safe towns — perfect for studying. No city noise, just books and birds. Plus, many offer free transport, cozy hostels, and tasty food deals. And hey — you still get the same American degree as someone who paid $50,000 a year!
So if you want to study in the USA without selling your kidney — low-cost colleges are your best friends!
Low‑Cost U.S. Colleges List
1. University of Florida
Website: www.ufl.edu • Location: Gainesville, FL
Tuition: $6,380 in-state; around $23,530 total with extras
Can apply online: Yes! Check their site
Courses: Engineering, Business, Nursing, Education, Liberal Arts
Hostel & Food: 45+ food places! Buffet style meals – breakfast to dinner
Campus Life: Big ground, sports, gym, golf course, lakes too
Teachers: Caring, skilled, some big classes tho
Student Reviews: “Great place but hard to get internships in engineering”
Career Support: Job fairs and internship help – some need improvement
Extras: Free buses, tight parking, books $1,200+ per year
Traditions: Gator growl, tailgate parties, activism
2. California State University, Long Beach
Website: www.csulb.edu • Location: Long Beach, CA
Tuition: $7,374 in-state; full cost up to $38K/year
Apply Online: Yup, very easy online portal
Courses: Engineering, Design, Nursing, Psychology, Film
Food: Vegan, gluten-free, coffee shops, 3 main dining halls
Campus: Japanese garden, Walter Pyramid, ocean 3 miles away!
Teachers: Helpful, but campus life better with clubs
Student Life: Over 200 clubs – dance, drama, debate
Career Support: Events like “Day at the Beach” for jobs
Traditions: Smorgasport, Pow Wow, big cultural shows
3. South Texas College
Website: www.southtexascollege.edu • Location: McAllen, TX
Tuition: Around $4,000/year – super budget friendly
Apply Online: Yes, very simple
Courses: Nursing, Welding, Cybersecurity, Business
Food & Hostel: Basic cafeteria meals; budget living
Environment: Quiet, family-friendly city
Teachers: Very supportive, hands-on learning
Job Support: Great local job connection in trades & healthcare
Traditions: Graduation Walk, job fairs
Student Reviews: “Perfect for saving money and learning job skills”
4. CUNY Baruch College
Website: www.baruch.cuny.edu • Location: Manhattan, NY
Tuition: $7,500 in-state; NYC is costly tho
Apply: Online application available
Courses: Business, Data Analytics, Public Affairs
Food: Food court + NYC takeout everywhere
Campus: Small but right in city – cool internships
Teachers: Finance teachers strong, big classes
Job Support: Wall Street job links, LinkedIn help
Traditions: Baruch Ball, student showcases
Extras: MetroCard $1,300/year for transport
5. Berea College
Website: www.berea.edu • Location: Berea, KY
Tuition: Free! But students do work-study
Courses: Health, Biology, English, Music, CS
Apply: Online, but selective
Hostel & Food: Co-op housing, healthy meals
Campus: Rural, green, quiet
Teachers: One-on-one mentoring
Job Support: 100% job/grad school rate
Traditions: Cultural fests, student labor events
Student Reviews: “No fees, best support ever!”
6. UNC Pembroke
Website: www.uncp.edu • Location: Pembroke, NC
Tuition: $3,648 in-state; very affordable
Courses: Business, Education, Nursing
Campus: 281 acres, green space, theater
Apply: Yes, online is open
Meals: Food court, fast food, meal plan ~$4,800
Teachers: Very friendly and helpful
Job Support: 65% job rate after 6 months
Traditions: Pirate Pride, arts events
7. Minot State University
Website: www.minotstateu.edu • Location: Minot, ND
Tuition: Around $7,300/year
Courses: Social Work, Nursing, Business, Art
Campus: Park-style layout, peaceful town
Apply: Yup, easy online option
Meals: All-you-can-eat, salad bar, bakery
Teachers: Small classes, personal attention
Job Help: Strong jobs in local healthcare & education
Traditions: Campus concerts, state fairs
8. Alcorn State University
Website: www.alcorn.edu • Location: Lorman, MS
Tuition: ~$7,500; scholarships available
Courses: Biology, Nursing, Music, Chemistry
Food: Soul-food style cafeteria loved by students
Campus: Big historic campus, rural and calm
Teachers: Caring and culturally aware
Job Help: Career fairs, on-campus interviews
Traditions: Greek step shows, HBCU events
9. Western Carolina University
Website: www.wcu.edu • Location: Cullowhee, NC
Tuition: ~$4,500 in-state
Courses: Psychology, Digital Media, Nursing
Campus: Mountains, outdoor life, Chick‑fil‑A!
Apply: Yes, through website
Meals: Meal plan $5,029 – lots of choices
Support: Good counseling, small classes
Traditions: Mountain fests, Catamount sports
10. New Mexico Highlands University
Website: www.nmhu.edu • Location: Las Vegas, NM
Tuition: ~$5,400
Courses: Media Arts, Psychology, Forestry
Campus: Artistic, calm, close community
Meals: Grill, bagels, Asian fusion – $4,622 plan
Teachers: Small classes, friendly professors
Career Help: Good local jobs in social work, education
Traditions: Homecoming, Zia Powwow
Q&A – Cheap Colleges & Universities in USA for International Students
Q: Which is the cheapest college in the USA for international students?
A: That would be **Berea College** – it's free! But you gotta work part-time in the college. Super cool deal!
Q: Which state is cheapest for international students in the USA?
A: **Texas and North Carolina** are top picks! Colleges like South Texas College and UNC Pembroke are budget kings.
Q: Which is the cheapest city in USA for international students?
A: **McAllen, Texas** and **Las Vegas, New Mexico** are pretty chill and pocket-friendly for students.
Q: Which university is the cheapest for international students?
A: **Minot State University** and **South Texas College** both offer degrees for less than $8,000 a year. That's super cheap for the U.S.!
Q: What are some low-fee universities in USA for international students?
A: Try these – South Texas College, Minot State, Alcorn State, and Berea College. All under budget!
Q: Top 10 cheapest universities in USA for international students?
A: Already listed above in our main post! From University of Florida to NMHU – all student-loved and wallet-happy.
Q: Low fee universities in USA for international students for Masters?
A: Check out **Western Carolina University**, **Minot State**, and **California State Universities** – they got great Master’s programs without breaking your piggy bank.
Q: Is California State University affordable?
A: Yes! **CSU Long Beach** is quite affordable and has awesome weather, ocean vibes, and cool professors. Perfect combo!
Q: Best affordable universities in USA for Indian students?
A: Most of the low-fee colleges listed work great for Indian students too. Try **CUNY Baruch**, **UNC Pembroke**, and **Minot State** – they’re friendly and diverse.
Q: Top 10 cheapest universities in USA?
A: Again, our post has the top 10 picks – all are real-deal budget universities with student reviews and website links.
Q: Cheap universities in USA for Masters?
A: Look at **New Mexico Highlands University**, **South Texas College**, and **Minot State**. Great for MS degrees and tuition is super low.
Q: Any cheap universities in USA that don’t need IELTS?
A: Yup! Some schools like **University of New Orleans** and **University of Colorado Boulder** accept students without IELTS if they studied in English or pass other tests like Duolingo or TOEFL. Check their admission pages for updates!
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