Cheapest Universities in the USA
Higher education in another country is expensive, and students are always looking for universities that provide the best value for their tuition dollars. When you’re taking out a loan to pay for your education, finding a university with inexpensive tuition is even more vital.
List of Cheapest Universities in the USA
1. University of the People (https://www.uopeople.edu)
The University of the People is the world’s first accredited online university that is non-profit and tuition-free. UoPeople delivers high-quality, accessible, and affordable American degree programs through a pioneering online learning methodology and professors from the world’s top academic institutions.
The institution provides business administration, computer science, and health science associate and bachelor’s degree programs, as well as master’s degree programs in business administration and education. Classes are conducted by world-class professors who volunteer from prestigious colleges like NYU and UC Berkeley.
International students pay no tuition at the University of the People, which means there is no charge for teaching or instruction. There are only a few assessment fees associated with each course.
Tuition Fees: $0 each year
Tuition is free at the University of the People, although there are some expenses involved with receiving degrees, which normally run from $2,000 to $4,000.
• An associate degree estimated fee: $2,460
• Bachelors Degree estimated fees: $4,860.
• MBA estimated fees: $2,940.
• Masters Education estimated fees: $3,180.
• Total international students: 54%
2. The City University of New York ( https://www2.cuny.edu)
The City University of New York (CUNY) is a public university system in New York City that consists of 26 separate campuses where students can learn from award-winning professors. Baruch College, Hunter College, Brooklyn College, City College of New York, and others are among them.
CUNY, which has been dedicated to delivering affordable, high-quality education to New Yorkers since 1847, offers tuition rates that are affordable to all students.
Adult student programs, Latino faculty growth, and creative workforce training are among its current goals.
• International students pay $18,600 per year intuition.
• Unknown percentage of overseas students
3. California State University, Long Beach website: https://www.csulb.edu
California State University, Long Beach – often known as Long Beach State or “The Beach” – was founded in 1949 and is the third-largest institution of the California State University system, which has 23 campuses spread across the state’s most populated state.
• International students pay $18,726 per year intuition.
• 6.4 percent of students are international.
4. Alcorn State University in Mississippi https://www.alcorn.edu
Alcorn University was established in Claiborne County, Mississippi, in 1871 with the objective of providing education to descendants of former slaves. It now has over 50-degree programs and over 4,000 students from various ethnic origins.
In addition, the university partners with educational institutions all over the world.
It allows students to spend a semester in South America or Africa, participate in videoconferencing sessions with organizations all around the world, and take action to help people in underdeveloped nations, among other things.
Alcornites refer to students and graduates.
Tuition fee: $7,290
Percentage of international students: 2.8%
5. Minot State University in North Dakota https://www.minotstateu.edu
Minot State University, founded in 1913 in Minot, North Dakota, has a 14:1 student-to-teacher ratio, making it the place to attend if you want to experience a small-town vibe on a big-city university campus.
International students pay $7,896 per year intuition.
International students make up about 12% of the student body.
6. South Texas College https://www.southtexascollege.edu
South Texas College, founded in 1993, offers undergraduate degree and certificate programs. Because 67 percent of its students are the first in their families to attend a university, it is credited for changing lives and communities in Hidalgo and Starr counties.
South Texas College, which is dedicated to promoting social and economic mobility in these communities, maintains a 22:1 student-to-teacher ratio, offers cross-disciplinary learning opportunities and supports cost-effective higher education.
International students pay $7,830 per year intuition.
International students as a percentage of all students: less than 1%.
Finally,
It’s difficult to decide which university to attend in the United States because there are so many.
Remember to factor in other costs such as living expenditures, commuting charges, course materials, and more once you’ve reduced your list down to universities you can afford.
If the cost becomes prohibitive, consider enrolling in a less expensive American online university, such as the University of the People.
Studying in the US on a budget — what the fees above actually mean
Tuition is only one line in the budget, and on its own it is a poor guide to whether you can afford to study in the US. A country with low tuition and high living costs can end up more expensive than one with higher tuition and cheap accommodation. Work out the total annual cost before you compare anywhere.
How to check a tuition figure before you rely on it
Fee figures on any website — including this one — go out of date. Universities revise tuition annually, and governments change policy. Before you rely on a number:
- Open the university’s own website and find the fees page for international or non-national students. That is the only figure that counts.
- Check the academic year the figure applies to. A 2023 fee table tells you very little about what you will pay in 2026/2027.
- Confirm whether the price is per year, per semester or per credit. Per-credit pricing is common and makes cheap-looking programmes expensive.
- Check whether international students pay a different rate. In many systems local and EU students pay far less than everyone else.
- Email the admissions office and keep the reply. A written quote protects you.
A live example of why this matters: Norway’s public universities were free for everyone until 2023, when parliament introduced cost-covering fees for non-EU/EEA students — and non-European enrolment fell by roughly 80% within two years. In June 2025 the government proposed letting institutions set their own fees again, including at zero, from August 2026. Anyone relying on a five-year-old “tuition-free” article would have got it badly wrong in both directions.
Entry route: the US requires a student visa or study permit obtained after admission. Expect an interview at the embassy or consulate for some countries, proof that you can fund the full programme, and evidence of ties to Nigeria. Visa refusal rates for Nigerian applicants can be high, so prepare your financial documentation carefully and honestly.
Language of instruction: English is an official or primary language of instruction in the US, so you will not face a language barrier in the classroom. Many institutions also waive IELTS or TOEFL where your previous degree was taught in English — and Nigerian universities teach in English. Ask the admissions office directly whether your Nigerian certificate qualifies for a waiver before you pay for a test.
Build a realistic total-cost budget
Before applying to any institution in the US, price all of the following. Applicants routinely underestimate the second half of this list:
- Tuition for international students, for the correct academic year
- Application and acceptance fees, which are usually non-refundable
- Accommodation — on-campus versus private rent can differ enormously
- Living costs — food, transport, data, utilities
- Health insurance, which is compulsory in most study destinations
- Visa or permit fees, plus biometrics and courier charges
- Flights, and a return flight if the visa requires proof of one
- Proof of funds — money you must show you hold, on top of what you actually spend
- Document costs — transcripts, notarisation, apostille, translation, courier
- The naira exchange rate, and how a further depreciation would affect year two
How to bring the cost down honestly
- Apply for scholarships in parallel, not afterwards. Most funding deadlines fall before or alongside admission deadlines, not after.
- Look at government scholarships from the US itself. Many countries fund international students directly, and these are often less competitive than the famous named awards.
- Ask about assistantships and tuition waivers at postgraduate level. Teaching or research assistantships can cut or eliminate tuition.
- Ask about fee instalments. Many institutions allow termly payment, which matters when you are converting naira.
- Check student work rights on your visa — how many hours, and whether you may work at all. Never plan a budget that depends on illegal work.
- Compare smaller cities. Rent outside the capital is often the single biggest saving available.
A warning about agents
No agent can guarantee you admission or a visa. If someone promises either in exchange for money, walk away. Legitimate agents are paid by institutions, publish their registration details, and will never ask you to send money to a personal account. Apply directly to the university wherever you can — almost every institution accepts direct applications, and it is free or cheaper.
Frequently asked questions
Can Nigerians study in the US?
Yes. Nigerian students are admitted to institutions in the US subject to meeting the academic entry requirements, the language requirement and the immigration rules set out above.
Is the cheapest university the best choice?
Not automatically. Check that the institution is recognised by the national regulator in the US and, if you plan to return home or move on, that its degrees are accepted where you intend to work. A cheap degree from an unrecognised institution costs you everything.
Do I need IELTS to study in the US?
It depends on the programme and the institution. Where teaching is in English, many institutions waive the test for applicants whose previous degree was taught in English — which covers most Nigerian graduates. Always confirm in writing before paying for a test.
How much money do I need to show?
That is set by the immigration authorities, not the university, and it changes. Check the official government source for the US shortly before you apply, because the figure is usually updated annually.
Can I work while studying?
Some countries permit limited part-time work on a student visa and some do not. Confirm the rule for your specific visa type, and treat any earnings as a supplement rather than the basis of your budget.
Related guides
- International scholarships for Nigerians
- Best scholarships for Nigerians and Africans
- More study-abroad and scholarship guides
Tuition fees, visa rules and proof-of-funds thresholds change every year. Always confirm the current figures on the official university and government websites for the US before you apply or pay anything.