The Cheapest Universities in USA for Masters

The United States remains a preferred destination for Indian students to pursue higher education. 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 the USA for Masters are known to be student-friendly, which also earns them a high student satisfaction rate.

Excel in IELTS with India’s Top Online Coaching

Leap has helped more than 1 Lakh students achieve 7+ IELTS band.

Request a Callback

7 cheapest universities in USA for Masters

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 the 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

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

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 specialisation. 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 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.

Excel in IELTS with India’s Top Online Coaching

Leap has helped more than 1 Lakh students achieve 7+ IELTS band.

Request a Callback

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 the USA for masters, 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). 

Explore all countries

Study in Canada

Study in USA

Study in UK

Study in Australia

Study in Ireland

Study in Germany

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 in 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.

6. Dakota State 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 assistantships, 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 fees. 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 are 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 at Princeton University is $44,000 per year (₹32,29,131). On the other hand, the average tuition fee for a Master’s degree at 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 by 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. The cost of living in locations in the Midwest region is lower than that in the East and Northeast. 

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

Some universities even assist students in finding 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 neighbourhoods, 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:

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, such as MIT, Stanford, Harvard, Caltech, ULCA, Princeton, and Cornell. One can also secure admission to any of the cheapest universities in the USA for Masters. 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 is reflected in your CV, which adds to your qualifications, adaptability, credibility, and communication skills. 

High ROI

Graduate schools within American universities emphasises the 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 the USA for Masters:

• Past placement statistics of their desired university
• University rankings
• Total educational costs
• Companies that approach campus selection
• Past statistics on starting packages post placements

Prior information on the cheapest universities in the USA for Masters 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 the USA for Masters, 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.

Related Articles:

How to Apply for a Student Visa USA

Leave comments below for any doubts or queries, and share it with your buddies to help them 🙂