25 Cheapest Universities In America | Best Value Schools

Deciding whether or not to attend college can be a daunting life choice. It’s no secret that the costs of college keep getting more expensive, which may require students to take out loans or apply for grants. According to a recent report from Educationdata.org, the average cost of college in America is now $35,720 per student, per year. That number has tripled in just 20 years, thanks to an annual growth rate of about 6.8%.

That said, the cost of college may be worth it in the long run. According to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), those with a bachelor’s degree typically earned about $1,310 per week in 2020, while those with just a high school diploma typically earned about $780 per week. That difference in median wage can add up quickly, as can the earning potential for those with college degrees.
Plus, there are ways to make college more affordable. Students can also apply for grants and scholarships, which they typically don’t have to pay back, and there are lots of good, affordable universities in America to consider as well. If you’re looking to save money on college costs, start with the top cheapest universities in the USA, listed below.

The Top 10 Most Affordable Universities in America

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The 25 Most Affordable Universities in America

Methodology: Here’s How We Rank Schools

Metric

Data Used

Percentage

Academic Quality
Full-time faculty percentage, student-to-faculty ratio, student retention and graduation rates
25%

Affordability
Tuition rates, median student debt, and financial aid
35%

Reputation
Admission and enrollment rates
15%

Program Offerings
Number of program options
10%

Online Enrollment Score
Portion of learners taking at least one online course
15%

You can read more about our comprehensive evaluation process on our

At Best Value Schools, we help students of all ages get the best possible value for their education. When choosing the best schools and programs, we prioritize tuition rates, student debt, financial aid opportunities, graduation rates, and the availability of online programs. We source unbiased data from government and educational databases like the National Center for Education Statistics and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics for 6,374 schools across the U.S. We organize that data into five weighted categories to compile our school rankings.You can read more about our comprehensive evaluation process on our methodology page.

Have Questions About Affordable Universities? We Have Answers.

How many college students get financial aid?

More than half of college students received some type of financial aid during the 2017-2018 academic year.

Where can I go to find financial aid?

Filling out the FAFSA is a good place to start your search for financial aid. Most scholarships and grants rely on your FAFSA information to determine how much aid you are eligible to receive.

When can I apply for financial aid at my university?

FAFSA forms are available each year starting October 1. However, schools and scholarship programs maintain their own deadlines.

Do I really need to apply for financial aid every year?

Yes. You must file the FAFSA every year. Private scholarship programs follow their own regulations regarding renewals; however, many require an annual filing for financial aid packages.

What is the income limit for the FAFSA in 2020?

There is actually no official income cut-off to qualify for federal student aid, according to studentaid.gov. The federal government looks at many different factors, like the size of family and school year.

Is college financial aid free?

Some college financial aid does not have to be paid back, but some financial aid, like loans, will have to be paid back. You can check into grants and scholarships if you are looking for money that generally does not need to be repaid.

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Degree Overview

When most people refer to college degrees, they’re talking about bachelor’s degrees, which are degrees you earn in about four to five years after graduating from high school or obtaining your GED. That said, there are many other types of degrees you can pursue. Many cheap colleges offer either four-year bachelor’s degrees or two-year associate’s degrees, though it depends on the college. At the graduate level, students can opt to obtain master’s degrees or terminal doctoral degrees, which are higher-level degrees that help students specialize even further in their field.

The main benefit of earning a college degree is that it allows you to focus your career toward certain fields that interest you and helps you stand out against the competition when looking for jobs. College programs typically aren’t just focused on your area of major, though — at least not at the undergraduate level. Bachelor’s programs and associate’s programs will have general education requirements you have to meet, like composition and math, along with major courses that teach you the core topics of what you are going to school to learn.

Degree Requirements

If you’re looking for the degree requirements for cheap universities, it’s important to understand that the requirements for both admission and graduation will vary based on the school and program you choose. If you are thinking of attending a certain university, make sure to review their admission requirements carefully.

That said, there are some common requirements you’ll likely need to meet to enroll in any program. For example, there will likely be minimum high school GPA requirements and SAT or ACT testing requirements for incoming students, though some campuses or programs with open admission — or some community colleges — may have looser requirements.

To enroll in a school or program, you will often have to submit high school transcripts, extracurricular activities, standardized testing scores, and in some cases, an admissions essay. College admission staff often take into account the whole profile of each student when making an admission decision.

When it comes to specific degree requirements, college degrees will typically list how many course hours students must complete, and may also outline what classes are required to graduate. Most associate’ degree will require you to complete about 60 credit hours to earn your degree. Bachelor’s degrees typically require 120 credit hours to graduate. Master’s degrees can require anywhere from 30 to 40 credit hours to graduate, and doctoral degree requirements can vary from 60 to 120 credit hours depending on the field.

You can generally earn all types of degrees remotely, which is a huge perk for those who are trying to further their education while still working or attending to other responsibilities. The cheapest colleges online typically offer a wide range of degree options and majors as well.

The Average Cost of College Tuition

Public colleges and universities in the United States receive state funding from taxes paid by residents, making them some of the cheapest universities in the USA. Public universities prioritize in-state students who are part of that tax-paying public. As such, out-of-state students generally pay much higher tuition.

Data from the National Center for Education Statistics show that in-state students paid an average of $9,212 in tuition and fees for the 2018-2019 academic year. Meanwhile, out-of-state students paid an average of $26,382.

Each state maintains its own criteria for determining a student’s residency status. Proof of residency may include a record of tax payments, full-time employment within the state, or an occupational or state license. Some states also participate in reciprocity agreements that allow each member’s students to enroll as in-state learners.

Research the in-state residency requirements at your chosen school. In-state tuition can make your college degree much more affordable.

Common Core Courses

The courses you are required to take will depend on your major, but in general, nearly all college students are required to take core courses to graduate. These classes typically include:

College algebra: Nearly all degrees require you to take college algebra as part of your core curriculum. In this course, you will learn about concepts like polynomials, inequalities, functions, and other algebra-related concepts. You’ll also gain a deeper insight into the core algebra concepts that you will build upon in higher-level math courses.
Composition: You will use written communication on a regular basis after graduation, which is why college composition is one of the core courses you’re required to take in college. In this course, you will learn to refine your writing and further your ability to develop and articulate your ideas. This course typically requires several essays, which will require you to go through the process of drafting, revising, editing, and proofreading your work.
Foreign language: You will also typically be required to take and pass at least one foreign language class. Most programs allow you to choose your own language class to take, but common options include Spanish, French, Chinese, and American Sign Language, among others.

Career and Salary Outlook for College Graduates

According to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), professionals with a bachelor’s degree earn almost 30% higher salaries than professionals with a two-year associate degree. Professionals with a bachelor’s degree in 2020 also saw a lower unemployment rate (5.5%) than professionals with an associate degree (7.1%), some college but no degree (8.3%), and a high school diploma (9.0%).

In addition to education, the state where you work can impact your salary, according to the BLS. Bachelor’s graduates in Washington, D.C. earn approximately 17% more than their counterparts in Virginia. Experience level also impacts salaries. For example, architects at the beginning of their careers earn significantly lower salaries ($49,000) than those with 20 years of experience ($90,000), according to PayScale.

Financial Aid for Students

The FAFSA plays an important role in your search for financial aid. It provides government agencies, colleges and universities, and private nonprofits with information that may qualify you for a scholarship or grant program.

Most colleges and universities maintain scholarship programs for different types of students, including athletes and high-achieving learners. Many schools also administer private scholarships for students from specific ethnic groups or socioeconomic backgrounds.

If you still need to take out a loan, consider a direct subsidized loan from the government first. Undergraduate students with demonstrable financial need usually qualify for this type of loan, which maintains a lower interest rate than other loans.

You can also take out a direct unsubsidized loan that does not require financial need as a qualification. The government pays for the interest of your direct subsidized loan during specified times. However, this is not the case for direct unsubsidized loans.

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Scholarships for College Students

An affordable college education is still a strong investment. Every year, students can apply for more than $120 billion in federal grants and scholarships that they do not have to pay back.

Special-interest groups and nonprofit agencies offer millions more. Scholarship and grant programs target African Americans, women, first-generation students, and several other different types of learners.

Explore the five scholarships below to get an idea of the variety of financial assistance options available to you.

Who Can Apply: Administered by the American Bus Association, this scholarship accepts applications from students pursuing a degree in transportation, travel, or tourism. Applicants must submit a 500-word essay about their career goals.
Amount: $5,000
Deadline: Varies

Who Can Apply: Applicants must be full-time students with diagnosed bilateral moderate to profound hearing loss. Applicants must also be enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate program at an accredited college or university. They must use listening and spoken language as primary communication mode.
Amount: $5,000
Deadline: Varies

Who Can Apply: The ASID accepts applications from undergraduate and graduate students pursuing a degree in design, fine arts, or a related field. Applicants must submit an abstract of their work and a personal essay.
Amount: $4,000-$12,000
Deadline: Varies

Who Can Apply: This program welcomes applications from Hispanic students enrolled in an accredited two-year or four-year institution pursuing a degree in a STEM or health/medical field. Applicants must have a minimum 3.0 GPA.
Amount: $500-$5,000
Deadline: Varies

Who Can Apply: This scholarship accepts applications from college students enrolled in an accredited program with a focus on events and exhibitions. Applicants must have a 3.0 minimum GPA.
Amount: $5,000
Deadline: June 1