Cheapest Universities in the United States with Tuition Fees
United States of America (USA) is a transcontinental country, that lies predominantly in the North American continent. It comprises 50 states and its capital is Washington DC. Other prominent cities are Chicago is known for its beautiful architectural design, Los Angeles for its filmmaking, and New York is the largest city. The country still maintains as the world’s largest economy ranking high on quality of life, education, wealth, and healthcare. It is technologically advanced, major sectors are computers, medicine, aerospace, energy, etc.
- CUNY Brooklyn College
Year of establishment – 1961
Location – Brooklyn
Average Tuition Fees – $4200
Website – https://www.brooklyn.cuny.edu
This is the most affordable and first government coeducational liberal art school in New York. It has over 75 undergraduate and postgraduate courses including business, education, sciences, etc.
- The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
Year of establishment – 1978
Location – Edinburg
Average Tuition Fees – $4300
Website – https://www.utrgv.edu
This is also a government-owned university, it conducts its programs in two different languages. The university was formed by merging 3 schools in 2015, and they offer over 100 undergraduate and postgraduate programs in dentistry, medicine, computer animation, robotics, engineering, arts, mass communication, etc.
- California State University
Year of establishment – 1947
Location – Los Angeles
Average Tuition Fees – $4500
Website – https://www.calstatela.edu
This is also a government-owned university and the second oldest university in California offering over 300 courses for both undergraduate and postgraduate levels including education, criminal justice, psychology, etc. It also has online degree programs for distance learning students.
- Oklahoma State University
Year of establishment – 1890
Location – Oklahoma
Average Tuition Fees – $6700
Website – https://www.okstate.edu
This is also a government-owned university. It has 5 campuses across Oklahoma. It is a science, technology, engineering, and mathematics specialized university. Some other available courses are medicine, nursing, etc. It also has online degree programs for distance learning students.
- Utah Valley University
Year of establishment – 1941
Location – Orem, Utah
Average Tuition Fees – $6700
Website – https://www.uvu.edu
This prestigious university is also government-owned and marks the end of our list of the most affordable university in the USA. It is a community college and a university. Initially established as a central Utah vocational institute and has become the best university in Utah. Some available courses are engineering, education, nursing, arts, etc.
What these tuition figures actually cover
The fees listed above are tuition only. They exclude accommodation, feeding, health insurance, textbooks, local transport and visa costs. When budgeting, treat tuition as roughly half of what a year will genuinely cost you.
The USA uses the US dollar (USD). An important distinction: public universities charge different rates for in-state and out-of-state students, and international students almost always pay the higher out-of-state rate. Quoted “cheapest” figures sometimes reflect in-state fees you will not qualify for.
Budgeting realistically as a Nigerian student
Work out the full picture before committing:
- Tuition — confirm the current figure directly with the institution, as published figures date quickly
- Accommodation — on-campus housing is usually cheaper than private rental
- Feeding and daily living
- Health insurance — typically mandatory for international students
- Flights — expect at least one connection; direct routes from Lagos are limited
- Visa and immigration fees
- Proof of funds — you will usually need to show you can support yourself for the full period of study
Entry requirements to expect
Requirements vary by institution and programme, but international applicants are generally asked for:
- WAEC, NECO or equivalent secondary certificates for undergraduate entry
- A recognised bachelor’s degree and transcripts for postgraduate entry
- A valid international passport
- Proof of financial capacity
- Academic references
On English tests: US institutions commonly require TOEFL or IELTS, and many graduate programmes also require GRE or GMAT. Some waive English tests where your degree was taught in English. Requirements vary widely between institutions, so check each one individually.
How to apply
- Shortlist two or three institutions from the list above and confirm they are accredited and offer your programme.
- Contact admissions directly and request the current international student fee schedule. Do not rely on figures from any third-party site, including this one, without confirming.
- Ask about English test requirements for Nigerian applicants specifically.
- Prepare documents early — transcript and certificate collection routinely takes weeks in Nigeria.
- Apply, then begin the student visa process once you receive an offer letter.
- Arrange proof of funds in the format the immigration authority requires.
Working while studying
F-1 student visa holders face strict limits on employment, generally restricted to on-campus work during your first year. Violating these terms has severe immigration consequences. Confirm what is permitted with your institution’s designated school official before accepting any work.
Is the USA the right choice for you?
The USA suits you if you are targeting research-heavy graduate study, particularly where funded assistantships are available. For postgraduate applicants especially, a teaching or research assistantship can cover tuition and provide a stipend, which changes the cost picture entirely.
Be clear-eyed about one thing: a low tuition fee is not the same as an affordable degree. Once flights, living costs and visa expenses are counted, self-funding is rarely cheaper than a fully funded scholarship, where tuition, accommodation and travel are all covered and you pay nothing.
If cost is your priority rather than location, apply to funded programmes in parallel:
- Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at UBC — fully funded Master’s in Canada, including flights and a laptop
- Chevening Scholarship — fully funded UK Master’s for Nigerians
- DAAD EPOS Scholarship — fully funded Master’s in Germany
- Commonwealth PhD Scholarship — fully funded doctoral study in the UK
Frequently asked questions
Can Nigerians study in the USA?
Yes. US institutions admit Nigerian students in significant numbers. You will need admission, an I-20 form from your institution, proof of funds and an F-1 student visa.
Can I get funding for a US degree as a Nigerian?
Yes, particularly at graduate level. Many US universities offer teaching and research assistantships that waive tuition and pay a stipend. These are competitive but are the most realistic route to affordable US study — ask each department directly what funding is available.
Is the USA cheaper than studying elsewhere?
The USA has among the highest headline costs of any destination. However, funded graduate assistantships can reduce the real cost to near zero, which is why applying to research programmes with funding attached is often smarter than chasing low headline tuition.
Are these tuition fees current?
Fees change regularly. Treat the figures above as a comparison guide only and confirm current rates directly with each institution before making any decision.
Always verify tuition, entry requirements and visa rules directly with the institution and the relevant immigration authority before applying or making payment.