The Cheapest Universities in USA at the Masters Level – Leap Scholar

The United States remains a preferred destination to pursue higher education among Indian students. In 2019, the recorded number of Indians studying in the US surged by almost 3%. In fact, this was the sixth consecutive year to witness a growth in the number of Indians studying in the US.  American Universities stand out for their avant-garde education, easy access to several scholarships, and worldwide recognition of their degree courses. Graduate programs in America are renowned for their comprehensive approach to postgraduate education by combining knowledge with research opportunities and development of transferrable skills. Further, even some of the cheapest universities in USA are known to be student-friendly, which also earns them a high student satisfaction rate.

7 cheapest universities in USA for Master’s

It is understandable that not everyone can afford to attend a top-tier and expensive university in America, especially “out-of-state” international students. However, students can consider a university that offers high-quality education at an affordable cost.

Here are some of the cheapest universities in USA for master’s for international students wishing to pursue post-graduate studies: 

1. The City University of New York

2. California State University, Long Beach

3. Alcorn State University, Mississippi 

4. Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art

5. Minot State University

6. Dakota State University

7. University of the People

1. The City University of New York

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Founded in 1847, The City of University of New York, as known as CUNY, is a government-funded public university, and hence, one of the cheapest universities in USA. 

CUNY includes 26 individual institutions and offers affordable tuition rates to all students. It ranks #251-300 in the QS World University Ranking, as of 2021. The university is known for its programs in engineering, architecture, education and liberal sciences. 

Its tuition fee for a full-time master’s degree ranges from $855/credit to $1,075/credit, depending upon the specialization. One can take a more in-depth look at the different tuition fee structures from the university’s official website.

International students prefer CUNY for its academics, diversity, overall affordability and a number of grants and scholarships. CUNY awards scholarships on the basis of academic or artistic merit. The NYS Masters-in-Education Teacher Incentive Scholarship Program is a renowned scholarship of this university.

2. California State University, Long Beach

One of the largest universities in the US, California State University consists of 23 institutes. The courses offered revolve around business, arts, engineering, education, natural sciences, liberal arts, health and human services, and international education. 

The tuition fee for its standard graduate programs is $8,250 per year, wherein this amount is based on average enrolment of 9 units/credits per semester.

California State University also offers financial aid to graduate students based on their academic merit. Aerospace Engineering, Anthropology, Biochemistry, and Finance are some of its best Master’s courses. 

3. Alcorn State University in Mississippi

Alcorn State University, one of the cheapest universities in USA, is a public institution founded in 1871. It offers 13 Master’s programs including courses in history, business administration, biology, computer and information science, biotechnology, applied science and technology, and liberal arts. 

Out-of-state students attending its graduate school pay $7,290 as tuition fee per year. One must check out the different course structures and fees before filling in the application.

The university also provides scholarships and financial aid to academically talented but underrepresented and low-income students seeking admission in S.T.E.M. graduate programs. Students must meet specific criteria to qualify for these scholarships. 

Popular courses at Alcorn State University include Masters of Business Administration (M.B.A), Master of Arts (M.A) and Master of Science (M.Sc). 

4. Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art

Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art, informally referred to as Cooper Union, is a private institution founded in 1859. Its graduate degree program includes courses on Master of Science in Architecture and Master of Engineering. 

The tuition fee for its graduate school of engineering is $1,390 per credit, with 30 credits in total. Its school of architecture has a tuition fee of $23,635 per semester.

It is best known for its master’s degree courses on Architecture, Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, and Chemical Engineering. Interestingly, Thomas Edison attended Cooper Union in 1875 in a four-year chemistry course. Today, students from over 35 countries attend this university.

The university also offers several grants, fellowships and scholarships on a merit-based system. Students can learn more about these scholarships and tuition fee structures before arriving at a decision.

5. Minot State University (North Dakota)

It is a government-funded, public institution founded in the year 1913. It offers several graduate degree programs such as Master of Education, Master of Science in Disability Human Services, Master of Science in Information Systems, Master of Science in Management, among other subjects.

The tuition fee for graduate degree courses is approximately $8,730.72 per year on average. 

Master of Business Administration (M.B.A), Master of Arts (M.A), and Master of Science (M.Sc), are some of its best known graduate programs. As of 2021, students from across 30 different countries attend this university.

Founded in 1881, Dakota State University is a public university in South Dakota, USA. It offers graduate degree programs in teaching, business, technology, math and science.

Approximate tuition fee at this university amounts to nearly $465.80/credit. On can follow this comprehensive tuition fee guide to know more. 

Additionally, the university extends graduate assistantship, wherein students can earn a stipend and reduce educational expenses. International students with an F-1 visa and a Social Security Number in the USA can apply for this assistantship.

DSU is popular among students for its courses on Master of Business Administration (M.B.A), Master of Science in Analytics (MSA), Master of Science in Computer Science (MSCS), Master of Science in Health Informatics and Information Management (MSHIIM), and Master of Science in Educational Technology (MSET).

7. University of the People

It is a non-profit, tuition-free, fully-virtual university created in 2009. Therefore, students need not pay any tuition fee. However, they must pay minimal fees for course assessment, which amounts to $200 for graduate programs. Some of its popular courses are Computer Science, Health Science, Business Administration and Education.

The university offers a number of scholarships. Indian students can apply for The International Baccalaureate M.Ed. Scholarship, which covers the course assessment fees for a Master’s Degree in Education. 

However, pursuing higher education, especially a Master’s degree, can be an expensive affair. So, it is vital for students to know about the various expenses that accompany pursuing a Master’s degree in America. Take a look.

What is the average cost of studying in the USA?

Tuition fees  

When planning to study in the US, tuition fees is one of the major expenses that need to be taken care of. A graduate program in the US costs around $20,000 (₹14,67,587) to $45,000 (₹33,02,520) per year, on average. 

Moreover, American universities are primarily divided into two categories, namely Public/State universities and Private universities. Tuition fees for government-funded institutions are comparatively lesser than that of private institutions. 

For example, the average tuition fee for a graduate course in Princeton University is $44,000 per year (₹32,29,131). On the other hand, the average tuition fee for a Master’s degree in The City University of New York is around $11,000 per year (₹8,07,282).

Additionally, the cost of education also varies depending on the subject. Courses on humanities, arts and education are cheaper, while subjects like engineering and medicine are more expensive. The tuition fee for business programmes, like MBAs, can cost as much as $70,000 a year (₹51,37,254), whereas the course fee for a Master’s degree in Social Sciences goes up to $35,000 a year (₹25,68,627).

Accommodation

Universities generally offer on-campus residence to international students, which is a very affordable option. There are dormitories, often shared between two or three people. Students prefer to live on-campus as it is convenient in terms of savings, academic and social activities.

Accommodation cost in the US differs with region and ranges between $6,000 – $14,000 per year (₹4,40,336-₹10,27,450).

Additionally, students can opt for other residential options like off-campus apartments or homestays. Cost of living in locations in the Midwest region is lower than that in the East and North-East. 

The table below summarizes the average living costs in various regions in the US:

RegionStateCityCost of living per month (USD)Cost of living per month (INR)

East Coast

Massachusetts

 

Florida

Boston

 

Miami

$1500-$3,000

₹1,10,084-₹2,20,168

Georgia

Atlanta

$1,200-$2,200

₹88,067-₹1,61,456

Pennsylvania

Philadelphia

$800-$1,300

₹58,711-₹95,406

Washington

 

New York

Washington D.C.

 

New York City

$1,700-$3,000

₹1,24,761-₹2,20,168

West Coast

California

Los Angeles

$1,500-$2,500

₹1,10,084-₹1,83,473

San Diego

$1,400-$2,400

₹1,02,745-₹1,76,134

San Francisco

$2,200-$4,000

₹1,61,456-₹2,93,557

Central

New Orleans

Louisiana

$1,100-$2,000

₹80,728-₹1,46,778

Washington

Seattle

$1,500-$2,500

₹1,10,084-₹1,83,473

North Central

Chicago

Illinois

$1,300-$2,500

₹95,406-₹1,83,473

Michigan

Detroit

$1,000-$1,800

₹73,389-₹1,32,100

South

Texas 

Dallas

 

Houston

$1,000-$2,000

₹73,389-₹1,46,778

Some universities even assist students in finding an appropriate off-campus accommodation. For this, students can check with their off-campus housing office. This office also provides other valuable information to international students, such as details on local neighborhoods, public transportation, and popular food and recreational options. 

Utilities and Internet

If you plan to live off-campus, consider the cost of additional utility bills such as electricity, water usage, internet, and tenant’s insurance (in some areas). Highlighted below are some common expenses that one may incur:

UtilityAverage charges per month (USD)Average charges per month (INR)

Internet

$45-$50

₹3,302-₹3,669

Electricity

$50-$100

₹3,669-₹7,338

Heating

$50-$100

₹3,669-₹7,338

Phone Subscription

$50

₹3,669

Water, sewer, and trash 

 

(usually covered by landlords)

$50-$75

₹3,669-₹5,504

Food

Expenses on food largely depend on a student’s dietary habits and preferences. Universities usually include on-campus meal plans in their accommodation facilities, which cost around $250 per month (₹18,347). Groceries typically amount to $400 – $600 per month (₹29,355-₹44,033) for one person. However, when shopping for groceries, you can opt for the following cheapest supermarket chains:

• Target

• Walmart

• Costco

• Trader Joe’s

Transportation

A monthly public transportation pass costs around $45-$100 (₹3,302-₹7,338) in the US. For example, a monthly metro transit pass in New York costs $127 (₹9,320), $96 (₹7,045) in Philadelphia and $105 (₹7,705) in Chicago. Some universities also offer discounts on these passes.

Advantages of Pursuing Master’s in the USA 

Prestigious Institutions

America is home to some of the best universities in the world. In fact, according to the QS World University Ranking 2021, 12 of the world’s top 25 best universities are located in the United States. Most of these institutions are internationally renowned and acclaimed, like MIT, Stanford, Harvard, Caltech, ULCA, Princeton and Cornell. One can also secure admission in any of the cheapest universities in USA. More on this has been discussed later in this guide.

Diverse Range of Programs

The USA offers one of the most diverse and flexible ranges of graduate degree programs. In addition to academics, most universities also encourage participation in a variety of sports, arts and other co-curricular activities.

International Experience 

America has the world’s largest population of international students. Studying in a country as diverse and complex accelerates both professional and personal growth and enriches the experience of students. Universities also encourage interaction and communication among students through several campus activities. This also allows students to form contacts and networking, which can be immensely valuable in later years.

Additionally, this experience also reflects on your CV, which adds on to your qualification, adaptability, credibility and communication skills. 

High ROI

Graduate schools within American universities emphasize employability of their students. As a result, they provide access to incredible research programs with highly qualified professors in varied fields of interest. As a result, the return on investment (ROI) of a master’s degree in the US is high.

ROI is primarily the future value that a student can expect after investing in his/her education. For example, a Master’s degree in STEM results in higher salaries right out of university as well as in subsequent years. Similarly, the field of healthcare has a high ROI.

So, students must consider these factors before sending in their application to any of the cheapest universities in USA:

• Past placement statistics of their desired university

• University rankings

• Total educational costs

• Companies that approach for campus selection

• Past statistics on starting packages post placements

Prior information on the cheapest universities in USA will help students make an informed decision and choose an institution that suits them best. However, when planning to study in the US, students must secure an ideal ILETS score and curate an impressive SOP. Additionally, they also need to take care of the application processes – from admission to obtaining a visa, which can be taxing for students.

Leap Scholar helps students in India achieve their dreams of studying abroad. It is a one-stop-platform which assists you in every step, like shortlisting colleges, sending in application and getting a student visa. Online IELTS training by Leap Scholar, in collaboration with India’s top educators, helps students with IELTS preparation. With Leap Scholar, students can also get guidance in building-up their SOPs and LOR.

So, with this comprehensive guide on the cheapest universities in USA, one can now take a step ahead and make the dream to study in America come true.

Conclusion

MBA programs in the United States generally take two years to complete. However, some universities also offer an accelerated Leap Scholar is a platform which can make your study abroad dream come true. From finding out the best college for you to counselling and scholarship, it is one-stop destination for everything related to study abroad. Check out their website to know about their services.

For best IELTS Programme, register to Free Masterclass Programme to find out secret tips and tricks by IELTS mentors along with live doubt solving sessions.

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FAQ

1. What are the most popular courses for a Master’s degree in the USA?

Ans: The most popular postgraduate subjects in the US are: Business Administration, Economics, Education, Finance and Medicine.

2. Which university in USA is the cheapest?

Ans: There are several government-funded institutions in the USA that offer affordable courses. Some of these are California State University, Minot State University, The City University of New York, Alcorn State University, and Brigham Young University.

3. How much does it cost to study in America?

Ans: A Bachelor’s degree in the US costs around $10,000 to $37,000 per year. The average cost of Master’s degree ranges from $20,000-$65,000 per year, depending on your university and desired field of study. Students also need to take into account additional costs, such as accommodation, food, utility, and living costs.

4. What IELTS score is required for Master’s in the USA?

Ans: Universities in America accept a minimum IELTS score of 6.5. The chances of admission in a Master’s degree program increase with higher scores. The minimum IELTS score for top-tier universities like Harvard, Stanford and UCLA ranges from 7.0-7.5.