One of the limiting factors that prevent students from studying in Colleges in the USA is the cost. It’s no news that education is expensive, and those who cannot afford it have to forgo the opportunity and choose a more affordable option. Well, if you desire to study abroad but funding is an issue, check out our list of most affordable colleges in the United States. You might just find one that fits your budget.
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Tips for reducing the cost of your International Student Experience
It’s not just enough to get admission into an affordable college in the US, you also have to be prudent as a student so you don’t overspend. Below are some tips that can help you save money as an international student:
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1. Embrace discounts
As a student who doesn’t want to overspend, you can embrace student discounts. They are available at cafes, bars, bookshops, clothing stores, cinemas, and many other places.
2. Pay for Student Dormitories
The cost of living everywhere is increasing. As an international student seeking to save money, you can opt for a student dormitory given by the university rather than go for a private apartment. Living in the student dorm will take some of the bills like utility bills off you. It’s popular among first-year students.
3. Pick student towns rather than big cities.
Staying and schooling in low-cost areas will cost you less. When you live around the student area, it will cost you less and you will be closer to campus.
4. Apply for scholarships or grants.
Applying for scholarships or grants can help reduce your expenses as an international student. To get updated with information regarding this, subscribe to our newsletter here.
5. Work part-time.
International students who have an F1 visa in the United States can work on a part-time basis for 20 hours per week.
Read also: How To Get A Graduate Assistantship In The US
Top 10 Most Affordable Colleges in the USA
If you’re looking for the most affordable colleges in the US, we have the list below:
1. University of South Dakota
Location: Vermillion, South Dakota
QS World Ranking: 251-300
Average tuition fee(2021): $12,942
South Dakota State University offers over 200 academic programs that students can choose from. It was founded in 1862 in Vermillion, South Dakota. The total number of enrolled students in the fall of 2021 was 9,464 and it has a 15:1 student-faculty ratio and more than 70,000 alumni.Â
Scholarship opportunities
- USD Valedictorian Scholarship
- Dual Credit Scholarship
- Dorothy C. Schieffer Political Science Scholarship
2. Nicholls State University (LA)
Location: Thibodaux, Louisiana
QS World Ranking: 801-850
Average tuition fee(2021): $9,039
Nicholls State University offers over 100 academic programs open to students. It was founded in 1948. The Total number of enrolled students in the fall of 2021 was 5,579 and it has 17:1 student-faculty ratio and more than 45,000 alumni. For scholarship opportunities for international students, click here.
3. Delta State University (MS)
Location: Cleveland, Mississippi
QS World Ranking: 1001-1200
Average tuition fee 2023-2024: $4,717.50
Delta State University is a public university located in Cleveland, Mississippi. The town happens to be one of the best Southern small towns that have a robust community. Additionally, it is an affordable city to live in and the tuition fees aren’t expensive. The university was founded in 1924. Delta State has a student-to-teacher ratio of 11:1. To more about scholarships for Delta State University, click here.
4. Brigham Young University—Provo (UT)
Location: Provo, Utah
QS World ranking: 1001-1200
Average tuition fee (2021:2022): 6,120 USD
Brigham Young University is a private research university founded and sponsored by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Although many of its students are members of the church, the university is equally open to all. The student-faculty ratio in the university is 21:1 and the school has 46.1% of its classes with less than 20 students. They also offer about 327 courses. To more about scholarships for Brigham Young University, click here.
5. Bemidji State University (MN)
Location: Bemidji, Minnesota
U.S. Ranking: 829 out of 2576
Average tuition fee (2021:2022): 9,806 USD
Bemidji State University is a cool place for people who love the outdoors because of its location. The university offers about 60 Bachelor’s and eight Master’s degree programs as well as distance learning options. Accommodation on campus is also said to be beautiful too. The student-faculty ratio in the university is 19:1. To more about scholarships for Bemidji State University, click here.
6. National Louis University
Location: Chicago, Illinois; Tampa, Florida
QS World Ranking: 901-950
Average tuition fee (2021:2022): 11,505 USD
National Louis University was founded in 1818 and it is one of the nation’s oldest and most prestigious Catholic universities. They offer over 200 undergraduate and postgraduate programs. Additionally, scholarship offers are open for international students. The student-faculty ratio in the university is 16:1. To more about scholarships for National Louis University, click here.
7. Minnesota State University-Moorhead
Location: Moorhead, Minnesota
U.S. Ranking: 646 of 2578
Average tuition fee (2021:2022): $17,564
Minnesota State University-Moorhead is a public university in Moorhead, Minnesota that houses students from about 58 countries and offers about 213 different majors, including providing online learning opportunities for many courses. The student-faculty ratio in the university is 18:1. To more about scholarships for Minnesota State University, click here.
8. Texas A&M University—Kingsville
Location: Kingsville, Texas
QS world ranking: 134
Average tuition fee (2021:2022): $25,746
It is public research in universities located in Kingsville, Texas. They offer about 130 undergraduate degrees, plus 268 graduate and professional degrees as options for study. The student-faculty ratio in the university is 17:1. The school has been accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) since 1928. To more about scholarships for Texas A&M University, click here.
9. Bridgewater State University
Location: Bridgewater, Massachusetts
US ranking: 585
Average tuition fee (2021:2022): $16,872
Bridgewater is not far from Boston and the University of Bridgewater is a public college with a strong student community. It is the fourth-largest university in Massachusetts. The location is generally peaceful and the school has 11 halls of residence which accommodates over 2,000 students. The student-faculty ratio in the university is 17:1. To more about scholarships for Bridgewater State University, click here.
10. University of North Carolina—Pembroke
Location: Pembroke, North Carolina
US ranking: –
Average tuition fee (202o:2021): $7,495
It is a public university in Pembroke, North Carolina, and was founded in 1887. It offers over 150 undergraduate and graduate degrees. The student-faculty ratio in the university is 15:1. The campus houses Givens Performing Arts Center, a regional center known for culture, arts, and entertainment. To more about scholarships for the University of North Carolina, click here.
Read also: Top 5 Countries To Stay Back In After Graduation?
Tips for Applying to Affordable Colleges
Below are useful tips to help international students who want to apply to affordable universities abroad:
1. Compare School Fee
Before picking any school, it is important to compare the school fees of different prospective schools. Factor in the possible discounts given and discover the actual net price before settling for an option. Although you might not a 100% accurate in your findings, the information will help influence your choice positively.
2. Look out for scholarships
Schools offer different merit-based scholarships, in addition to the scholarships given by others. This can be due to several factors like getting a particular score in standardized tests like the SAT or other academic qualifications. You can ask the school financial aid office to put you through the merit-based process and give you the necessary information you will need so that you can take advantage of it.
3. Consider Location
Another important factor to consider when choosing an affordable college is the location. Universities located in high-brow areas will be more expensive and the cost of living around the area will be more than the others. Also, state schools tend to be more expensive than private schools.
4. Discuss School Affordability
International students seeking admission to universities should consider other perks that come with it to determine if it will pay off in the long run. It’s not just about picking a school, consider other factors like the graduation rate, job placement rate, the financial package/discount that comes with it, etc. All of this will help in your decision-making.
5. Consider Student Loans
Student loans can help cover expenses when it comes to studying abroad, student loans can help cushion some of the expenses while the students have ample time to pay back after graduation. However, it is advisable to choose federal loans over private loans are their terms are more flexible than the private loan providers.
Start with us.
Looking forward to studying abroad? Enrolling in the top universities in the world can increase your chances with employers. Unfortunately, it can be quite expensive to study abroad due to the current economic crisis. But this shouldn’t limit you as there are other options you can explore to enhance your career.
MPower Finance and Prodigy Finance are some of the best student loan providers for international students. They also do not require any cosigner or collateral before application. At EdXtra Associates, we can help you with your loan application process. We also provide educational consultancy services for international students to help make your journey easier and faster. You can reach out to us, as we’d love to guide you through this journey.
Read also:
10 Affordable Colleges In Canada
Student Accommodation 101: 5 Great Tips For International Students
How To Move To The US With HND?
