This article contains information on Top 10 Affordable Universities in the United States in 2025.
Studying in the United States has a number of advantages that are worthy of note. These include but are not limited to: gaining English proficiency, the opportunity to explore different cultural perspectives, access to a large international student body (opportunity to network), and endless academic opportunities with great career potential. Why South Africa is an excellent country for your education is also worth considering if you’re comparing study destinations.
However, the cost of attending a university in the United States can be quite high, with tuition fees and living expenses often amounting to thousands of dollars per year.
There are many universities in the USA that offer affordable tuition rates [5] financial aid, and scholarships to students. When researching the cheapest universities in the U.S., you will realize that there are significant differences in areas such as tuition, housing, and acceptance rates. These are determined by whether the school is private or public. Public colleges and universities are primarily funded by the government, while private schools rely heavily on student tuition and private sponsorships/donations
In no particular order, here are 10 affordable universities in the USA in 2025:
1. The City University of New York
The City University of New York, also known as CUNY, is the largest urban college system in the U.S. It has one of the most diverse student bodies in the country and offers degree programs in 25 colleges located across New York City’s five administrative districts. Its tuition is placed at $18,600 per annum [4].
2. University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)
UCLA is a public research university located in Los Angeles, California..
The university offers undergraduate and graduate programs in a variety of fields, including arts, humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, engineering, and medicine. UCLA is also known for its research initiatives, particularly in the areas of health, medicine, and technology.
It has been ranked among the most affordable university systems in the country with a tuition of $8,860 per year [4.1].
3. Southeast Missouri State University
Founded in 1873, Southeast Missouri State University has a proud history of excellence in education.
Southeast Missouri State University is a public university based in Missouri, USA. It offers more than 200 programs including 100 minors, 145 undergraduate majors, and more than 75 graduate programs. The university focuses on imparting quality education with new ways of teaching.
The school is affordable with tuition of $15,585 [8] for undergraduates and $11,938.5 [8.1] for graduates.
4. Pennsylvania State University
The Pennsylvania State University [1], known as Penn State, is highly ranked for both its undergraduate and graduate programs, particularly in the area of entrepreneurship. It is a major university in the USA offering undergraduate, graduate, professional and doctoral programs. The university has 24 campuses spread across Pennsylvania state and also an online world campus. It is one of the cheapest universities in the USA for international students.
The Undergraduate tuition fee for international student starts from
$27,100 to $37,946. This is dependent on the campus.
5. Oklahoma State University
Oklahoma State University (OSU) is a public research university located in Stillwater, Oklahoma. It first began as an agricultural university and then expanded to include teacher training. It has five campuses and offers more than 200 undergraduate degree programs. OSU is one of the cheapest universities in the USA for international students with a tuition fee [1] of about $29,440 for Undergraduate and Graduate tuition fee starting from $35,200.
6. Minot State University
Minot State University is the third largest university in North Dakota. It is a public school with a very small faculty-to-student ratio of 11:1. The student body is very diverse and the school strives to offer affordable education with a tuition of $8,500 – $17,421.76 per year [3].
7. The University of Texas-Pan American
This public institution in Edinburg, Texas offers bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees across more than 42 subjects and 110 disciplines. It is fully accredited and has a net price of just $2,500. Students looking for specific program listings might also want to explore the list of courses offered at USIU.
8. University of Florida
The University of Florida is a public research university located in Gainesville, Florida. The university offers undergraduate and graduate programs across a range of fields, including agriculture, business, engineering, health, humanities, and social sciences. UF is also known for its research initiatives, particularly in the areas of agriculture, engineering, and health sciences.
9. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
UNC-Chapel Hill is a public research university located in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. The university offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs across a variety of fields, including business, engineering, humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences. In addition to its academic programs, UNC-Chapel Hill is also known for its research initiatives and commitment to public service.
The University is on the list of affordable Universities with an average cost of $12,469 [7].
10. University of Wisconsin
The University of Wisconsin-Madison is the largest and oldest university-based in Wisconsin, USA. It is a public research university that offers undergraduate and graduate programs across a wide range of fields, including business, engineering, humanities,
It offers 148 master’s degree programs, 136 undergraduate majors, and 120 doctoral programs. It is considered one of the top 10 research universities in the US. It found it’s way to the list of affordable Universities in the US with tuition of $39,354 for undergraduates and $25,504 for graduates [8].
Conclusion
It’s not impossible to find the cheapest universities in the U.S. and pursue your dream of a college education. In fact, studying in the U.S. might even be more accessible than you think. But for those considering broader options, here are 15 reasons why you need to study in the UK as well.
Many schools in the U.S. appreciate how foreign scholars enrich the educational experience for the entire student body and have developed ways to make earning a degree affordable. However, it is important to note that the cost of attending a university can vary based on the student’s state of residence, program of study, and financial aid eligibility. Students are encouraged to thoroughly research and compare different universities before making a final decision.
References:
[1] Ahmad, Saba. “Most Affordable (Cheapest) Universities in USA 2023 – Check Top 15 USA University List Here.”
Careers360, https://www.google.com/amp/s/studyabroad.careers360.com/articles/most-affordable-universities-in-usa/amp. Accessed 26 Apr. 2023.
[2] Books, L. L. C. University of Texas-Pan American: University of Texas-Pan American People, University of Texas-Pan American, Elvia Ardalani. Edited by L. L. C. Books, Books, 2010.
[3] “Cheapest Universities in USA for International Students in 2023.” UniSearch, 15 Dec. 2022, https://myunisearch.com/blog/cheapest-universities-in-usa-for-international-students.
[4] Samson. “Cheapest Universities in the USA for International Students 2023.” Academicful, 8 May 2022, https://academicful.com/cheap-usa-universities-international/.
[5] “Top 10 Affordable Universities in the United States – 2020.” Explore the Best of East Africa, Eafinder, 19 Mar. 2020, https://www.eafinder.com/top-10-affordable-universities-in-the-united-states-2020/.
[6] “Top 100 Most Affordable College and Univerities (Updated 2023).” Educationcorner.com, https://www.educationcorner.com/most-affordable-universities.html. Accessed 26 Apr. 2023.
[7] “University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Cost – Google Search.” Google.com, https://www.google.com/search?q=University+of+North+Carolina+at+Chapel+Hill+cost&oq=University+of+North+Carolina+at+Chapel+Hill&aqs=chrome..69i57.1534j0j4&client=ms-android-transsion&sourceid=chrome-mobile&ie=UTF-8&si=AEcPFx6GM8-IQndAi5Xss65XlwCfXBH2O9vLhVgzM7AxW5jOe_f0A-OGLFbHvUW2AQ4opAAD6MY09o7BIGfek206UkU1ebQeRrXxRPlloCfhy6ORbpH8gGE2_0mb9SrP6s-TLoewO9MSDi5me8kvMmLUnWJ1A78cL5Ez1t19HdWv0rcaf2y7PBk%3D&ictx=1&ved=2ahUKEwiyy-e7la39AhV2QfEDHUpzBAsQqoMDKAB6BAhEEAE. Accessed 26 Apr. 2023.
[8] Shiksha.com, https://studyabroad.shiksha.com/affordable-and-cheap-universities-in-usa-articlepage-2679. Accessed 26 Apr. 2023.
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