
In the age of rapidly rising tuition – college costs have risen far faster than the rate of inflation in the 21st century, and even faster than financial aid – affordability is no joke. With our ranking of the 100 Most Affordable Colleges & Universities, College Consensus is lighting up the way to a college education students can actually afford.
Student debt represents the second-largest consumer debt class (after mortgages). Earning a college degree without setting yourself up for a life of loan repayment is more important than ever. The cheapest accredited colleges and universities offer students the opportunity to earn their degree without taking on a mountain of debt.
Recommended Online Colleges u0026 Universities
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
Methodology: How We Ranked the Most Affordable Colleges & Universities
Our ranking of the 100 Most Affordable Colleges & Universities is ordered from lowest to highest out-of-state tuition & fees for full-time undergraduate students. All of these schools are accredited and recognized by the National Center for Education Statistics. College Consensus is happy to show prospective students and their families where to find a school that not only won’t break the bank, but will also provide a quality, respected degree to take into the marketplace. If you’re interested in an affordable online degree, be sure to check out our ranking of the Most Affordable Online Colleges.
Summary of the Top 10 Cheapest Colleges in the United States
Rank | School | Type | Out-of-state tuition and fees |
---|---|---|---|
1. | United States Merchant Marine Academy | Public | $1008 |
2. | Brigham Young University-Idaho | Private | $4536 |
3. | City Vision University | Private | $6000 |
4. | Columbia Southern University | Private | $6015 |
5. | Warner Pacific University Professional and Graduate Studies | Private | $6240 |
6. | Brigham Young University-Hawaii | Private | $6250 |
7. | Brigham Young University-Provo | Private | $6304 |
8. | Bethesda University | Private | $6560 |
9. | University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Flex | Public | $6750 |
10. | Baptist University of the Americas | Private | $6768 |
1
United States Merchant Marine Academy
Kings Point, NY
2
Brigham Young University-Idaho
Rexburg, ID
3
Private: City Vision University
Kansas City, MO
4
Private: Columbia Southern University
Orange Beach, AL
5
Private: Warner Pacific University Professional and Graduate Studies
Portland, OR
Recommended Online Colleges & Universities
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
6
Private: Brigham Young University-Hawaii
Laie, HI
7
Private: Brigham Young University
Provo, UT
8
Private: Bethesda University
Anaheim, CA
9
Private: University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Flex
Milwaukee, WI
10
Private: Baptist University of the Americas
San Antonio, TX
11
Private: Manna University
Fayetteville, NC
12
Private: Central Methodist University-College of Graduate and Extended Studies
Fayette, MO
13
Private: Gods Bible School and College
Cincinnati, OH
14
Private: Elizabeth City State University
Elizabeth City, NC
15
Private: American Public University System
Charles Town, WV
16
Private: South Florida Bible College and Theological Seminary
Deerfield Beach, FL
17
Private: Mississippi Valley State University
Itta Bena, MS
18
Private: Urshan College
Wentzville, MO
19
Private: University of North Carolina at Pembroke
Pembroke, NC
20
Private: Wayne State College
Wayne, NE
21
Private: Chadron State College
Chadron, NE
22
Private: Mississippi University for Women
Columbus, MS
23
Private: Fayetteville State University
Fayetteville, NC
24
Private: Peru State College
Peru, NE
25
Private: Drury University-College of Continuing Professional Studies
Springfield, MO
Recommended Online Colleges & Universities
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
26
Private: Hobe Sound Bible College
Hobe Sound, FL
27
Private: Western Governors University
Salt Lake City, UT
28
Private: Indiana Wesleyan University-National & Global
Marion, IN
29
Private: University of Arkansas Grantham
LIttle Rock, AR
30
Private: Oklahoma Panhandle State University
Goodwell, OK
31
Private: Colorado State University Global
Aurora, CO
32
Private: Western Carolina University
Cullowhee, NC
33
Private: Beulah Heights University
Atlanta, GA
34
Private: Minot State University
Minot, ND
35
Private: Alcorn State University
Alcorn State, MS
36
Private: Delta State University
Cleveland, MS
37
Private: Faith International University
Tacoma, WA
38
Private: Bellevue University
Bellevue, NE
39
Private: Eastern New Mexico University-Main Campus
Portales, NM
40
Private: California Intercontinental University
Irvine, CA
41
Private: Granite State College
Concord, NH
42
Private: Nicholls State University
Thibodaux, LA
43
Private: Holy Apostles College and Seminary
Cromwell, CT
44
Jackson State University
Jackson, MS
45
Private: University of Management and Technology
Arlington, VA
46
Private: University of Phoenix-Arizona
Phoenix, AZ
47
Private: Thomas Edison State University
Trenton, NJ
48
Private: Trine University
Angola, IN
49
Private: Franklin University
Columbus, OH
50
Private: Central State University
Wilberforce, OH
Recommended Online Colleges & Universities
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
51
Private: Metropolitan State University
Saint Paul, MN
52
Private: Henderson State University
Arkadelphia, AR
53
Private: University of the Cumberlands
Williamsburg, KY
54
Private: Rust College
Holly Springs, MS
55
Private: McNeese State University
Lake Charles, LA
56
Private: Texas College
Tyler, TX
57
Private: Kentucky Mountain Bible College
Jackson, KY
58
Private: Southwest Minnesota State University
Marshall, MN
59
Private: Fairfax University of America
Fairfax, VA
60
Private: Bemidji State University
Bemidji, MN
61
Private: Dalton State College
Dalton, GA
62
Private: The University of Tennessee Southern
Pulaski, TN
63
Private: Indiana Institute of Technology-College of Professional Studies
Fort Wayne, IN
64
Private: Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary
Wake Forest, NC
65
Private: College of Coastal Georgia
Brunswick, GA
66
Private: Harris-Stowe State University
Saint Louis, MO
67
Private: Glenville State University
Glenville, WV
68
Private: Charter Oak State College
New Britain, CT
69
Private: Youngstown State University
Youngstown, OH
70
Private: Tougaloo College
Tougaloo, MS
71
Private: West Texas A & M University
Canyon, TX
72
Private: Thomas University
Thomasville, GA
73
Private: Mayville State University
Mayville, ND
74
Private: Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Worldwide
Daytona Beach, FL
75
Private: Dickinson State University
Dickinson, ND
Recommended Online Colleges & Universities
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
76
Private: Rasmussen University-Florida
Ocala, FL
77
Private: Stillman College
Tuscaloosa, AL
78
Private: Los Angeles Pacific University
San Dimas, CA
79
Private: University of Southern Mississippi
Hattiesburg, MS
80
Private: National Louis University
Chicago, IL
81
Private: Northwestern Oklahoma State University
Alva, OK
82
Private: Pacific Oaks College
Pasadena, CA
83
Private: Jarvis Christian University
Hawkins, TX
84
Private: Lane College
Jackson, TN
85
Private: Northern State University
Aberdeen, SD
86
Private: New Mexico Highlands University
Las Vegas, NM
87
Private: Chicago State University
Chicago, IL
88
Private: Boricua College
New York, NY
89
Private: Wilmington University
New Castle, DE
90
Private: Le Moyne-Owen College
Memphis, TN
91
Private: Black Hills State University
Spearfish, SD
92
Private: Midwestern State University
Wichita Falls, TX
93
Private: North American University
Stafford, TX
94
Private: University of Maryland Global Campus
Adelphi, MD
95
Private: Pacific Rim Christian University
Honolulu, HI
96
Private: American InterContinental University
Chandler, AZ
97
Private: Middle Georgia State University
Macon, GA
98
Private: The Baptist College of Florida
Graceville, FL
99
Private: American Baptist College
Nashville, TN
100
Private: Walden University
Minneapolis, MN
What Makes the Most Affordable Colleges and Universities?
So how does College Consensus determine what makes the most affordable colleges and universities? It’s pretty easy to say what makes a college affordable: low tuition, obviously. But as for what makes an affordable college really worthwhile – that takes a little more explanation. After all, it’s no secret that college is more expensive than ever. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, the total cost of attendence for public universities (living on-campus) in 2021-22 academic year was more than $26,000.
Institution | 2010-2011 | 2021-2022 |
---|---|---|
Public | $9100 | $9700 |
Private Non-Profit | $34,000 | $38,800 |
Private For-Profit | $19,400 | $17,800 |
That raises the question: is a college degree still worth it? The short answer is, yes, almost without a doubt. Why? Because, on average, people still make a lot more money with a college degree than without – more than 60% higher, according to NCES data. Male and female, young and old, every race, the stats hold true: a college degree holder makes more money than a worker without a college degree. However, that average can be a bit misleading. For one, a Georgetown University study shows that the major you choose – and, therefore, the career you go into – makes a huge difference. Engineering and science majors make far more than the average, while social work and education majors make far lower; business majors fall right along the median. Some jobs just make more money than others.
Meanwhile, the average graduate is more than $37,000 in student debt, and considering that many people have no student debt, thanks to loans, grants, or helpful parents, that means plenty of graduates are entering with workforce with far more debt than that. So, when you’re thinking about an affordable college degree, the most affordable colleges and universities aren’t just the ones with the lowest tuition – they’re the ones with the most value.(And almost as good as a tuition-free college). So plan carefully; think very seriously about how you are preparing for college, because financial smarts are just as important as book smarts. Reasonable costs, market-ready skills, in-demand professions: these are the things that make the most affordable colleges in the US a smart investment for tomorrow’s professionals and leaders.