Cheapest Universities in the World for International Students: U.S. Edition

Carolina Jacobs

Jul 26, 2022
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This week we tackle the U.S edition of “Cheapest Universities in the World for International Students” You want to study abroad in America but aren’t sure where to begin. Of course, you want a quality education but are unsure whether you can afford to attend. 

Many excellent universities in the United States can give you a quality education to fuel your future. 

While the US is full of many wonderful schools, some universities are more affordable than others. Here are the top 10 cheapest universities for international students. 

10. Indiana University South Bend 

Indiana University South Bend is a public university that is the third largest school in the Indiana University system. 

The school has an acceptance rate of 87% and is business, nursing and liberal arts programs. Around 5,000 students attend the school annually, and it prides itself on its affordability. 

The average cost per year for international students is around $32,000. 

9. University of Nebraska Kearney

The University of Nebraska Kearney is a public university known for its business, education, parks and recreation programs. 

The school offers around 170 academic programs and has an acceptance rate of 88%. The university is also a top school for female athletes and on of the cheapest universities in the world for international students.

The average yearly cost for international students is $31,000. 

8. Truman State University 

Truman State is a school in Kirksville, Missouri, known as the “Midwest Harvard” for its consistently high rankings among other US universities. 

The school has an acceptance rate of 72% and offers over 100 different degree programs. The average cost for international students is around $30,500 per year. 

7. Southeast Missouri State University 

Southeast Missouri State University is a public university in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, recently ranked in the top 100 US universities. 

The school is known for its business and healthcare degrees and has an approximately 80% acceptance rate. 

The yearly cost for international students is around $30,300.

6. Southern Illinois University Carbondale

Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a public research university that hosts students from inside the US and over 100 countries worldwide. 

The oldest school in the Southern Illinois University system, the Carbondale campus recently welcomed its largest freshman class in years. 

The yearly cost for international students is around $30,000. 

5. Coppin State University

Coppin State University is a historically black public university in Baltimore, Maryland. It was founded in 1900 and had an attendance of 2,108 in the fall of 2020. 

Coppin is ranked number two among nurse.org’s top 10 nursing schools in Maryland and has other programs ranging from performing arts to political science. 

The college has a 40% acceptance rate, and the yearly tuition cost for international students is around $30,000. 

4. Murray State University

Murray State University is a public university with campuses across Kentucky. Founded in 1922, the university offers 146 degree programs, from advertising to Wildlife Conservation. 

The university has a 77% acceptance rate and ranks as one of the best state schools for nursing and one of the best equestrian schools in the nation. 

Its fall 2021 enrollment was 9,427, costing international students around $29,200 a year. 

3. California State University Fresno

The Fresno campus is one of 23 campuses belonging to California State University. 

Home to over 25,000 students, the university ranks number one for its International English Language Testing System (IELTS) score of 6.5 and is known for its business and liberal arts degrees. 

The cost for international students in the 2021-2022 school year is $28,181. 

2. South Dakota State University

South Dakota State is a public university in Brookings, South Dakota, with an 89% acceptance rate. 

It’s one of the best schools in the country for animal sciences and has around 11,500 students in attendance each year. 

Its cost per year for international students is approximately $28,000. 

1. Minnesota State University Moorhead

Minnesota State’s Moorhead campus is a public university inside Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system. 

Moorhead has an average enrollment of approximately 6,000, with a 66% student acceptance rate. It’s known for its education and psychology programs. 

For international students, the cost per year is approximately $26,035, making it one of the cheapest universities in the world for international students in 2022. 

Choosing the Right University for You

Affordability is a significant factor when deciding what American university to attend. The country has many great schools at various price levels. 

When you decide which university to attend, you’ll want to consider other things, such as the local climate and activities, to enhance your experience. Keep in mind that some of the cheapest universities in the world for international students are more diverse, and some have higher quality programs in your area of study. 
Be sure to take advantage of the financial aid offered to international students coming to the US. You can still fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and send it to your intended university to know if there’s any aid available through them. There are also scholarships, grants and loans available for international students.

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