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Why This Matters

Our Research

For our list of the most affordable colleges, we looked closely at what institutions charge for tuition, fees, and room and board at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. For public universities, we also considered in-state versus out-of-state tuition, to find the institutions that offer the best overall value to students.

To ensure that we are recommending schools that are not only affordable, but also provide a quality education, we only included institutions that are regionally accredited. This type of accreditation confirms that schools meet certain quality standards. It also means students are eligible for more financial aid, and can transfer credits more easily.

We evaluated each program on the basis of flexibility, faculty, course strength, cost, and reputation. Then we calculated the Intelligent Score for each program on a scale from 0 to 100. Our top picks for the Most Affordable Colleges program are affordable, respected, and flexible. (For a more extensive explanation, check out Our Ranking Methodology.)

  • 55 hours to write this article
  • 17,169 universities and colleges we assessed
  • 21,272 education programs we compared

The Top 50 Affordable Colleges

The Most Affordable Colleges
01
Intelligent Pick
City University of New York, Brooklyn College
01
Best Urban Campus
City University of New York, Baruch College
01
Best Public University
City College of New York
01
Best in the Midwest
Dickinson State University
01
Best HBCU
Elizabeth City State University
01
Best Ivy League University
Harvard University
01
Best Public Research University
Oklahoma State University
01
Best in the Northeast
City University of New York, Queens College
01
Best in the West
University of Wyoming
01
Best Private University
Berea College
01
Best in the South
Mississippi Valley State University
01
Best Early Entrance Program
California State University, Los Angeles
01
Best Student Diversity
California State University, Long Beach
01
Best Tribal College
Dine College
01
Best Financial Aid
University of Texas, Rio Grande Valley
01
Best Service Learning Opportunities
California State University, Fresno
01
Best for Technology Degrees
Farmingdale State College
01
Most Degree Options
California State University, Fullerton
01
Best Scholarships
Ferris State University
01
Best for Visual and Performing Arts Degrees
City University of New York, Hunter College
01
Best Job Placement Rate
Fort Hays State University
01
Best for Agricultural Progams
Iowa State University
01
Best for Science Degrees
Lake Superior State University
01
Best for Graduate Certificates
Lehman College
01
Best Minor Options
Truman State University
01
Best Student-to-Faculty Ratio
Minot State University
01
Most Unique Bachelor's Degrees
East Central University
01
Best in the Southeast
George Mason University
01
Most Experienced Faculty
Indiana University Northwest
01
Best Study Abroad Opportunities
State University Of New York, Oswego
01
Best for Resource Engineering Programs
Montana Tech
01
Best Student Organizations
Northern Arizona University
01
Best in the Southwest
New Mexico Highlands University
01
Best Student Retention Rate
Northwest Missouri State University
01
Best in the Northwest
Oregon Institute of Technology
01
Best Return on Investment
Suny College At Old Westbury
01
Best Community College
Snow College
01
Best for Bachelor's-to-Master's Programs
New Paltz
01
Best for Veterans
University of Louisiana, Monroe
01
Best Conservatory Programs
University of North Carolina School of the Arts
01
Best Rural Campus
University of Wisconsin, Parkside
01
Best for Part-Time Students
Weber State University
01
Best Internship Opportunities
Westminster College
01
Best for Dual Enrollment
University of Tennessee, Martin
01
Best Research Facilities
University of Alabama, Huntsville
01
Most Sustainable Campus
Miami University
01
Best General Education Program
Slippery Rock University
01
Best for Small Classes
State University of New York at Oneonta
01
Best Catholic University
Marywood University
01
Best Liberal Arts University
Drury University

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What You Should Know About This Degree

Determining the cost of a college degree can be a bit tricky, but is not impossible. In most cases, there is a “sticker price” – that is, the advertised cost of tuition, room and board, and other fees. However, the actual price that students usually end up paying is the “net price,” which is the cost of tuition after scholarships, grants, loans, work-study, and other funding has been factored in. Therefore, it’s important to use the net price when calculating the cost of a program.

Many students rely on institutional scholarships to subsidize tuition costs, but it’s also worth noting that there are many outside resources for scholarships as well. These sources can include community, state, and national organizations; employers; religious groups; foundations, and more.

Cost is an important consideration when choosing a college, but it shouldn’t form the whole basis for your decision. Be sure to review the curriculum for your intended program of study, to ensure that it will teach you the skills you need for your career, and meet any education requirements to professional licenses or certifications. You may also want to consider what kind of student resources, extracurricular activities, and experiential learning opportunities the school offers.

What’s Next?

Here are some questions to ask when researching the most affordable colleges:

  • Are there any additional fees? While tuition will make up the bulk of your costs for college, make sure you’re aware of any additional fees the institution might impose for technology, support services, or program-specific equipment or experiences. If you cannot find clear information online, talk to a financial aid counselor so you can get a clear picture of what your bill will look like.
  • How can I make college more affordable? There are a number of ways to save money while in school. Living at home and commuting, if possible, can save you money on room and board. Likewise, enrolling in an online program may be cheaper than taking classes in person. Additionally, many companies and businesses offer student discounts on everything from software and technology to clothing and entertainment.

While you are researching schools and programs, make sure that you take note of application requirements and deadlines. This can affect not only your admission into a school, but also your eligibility for scholarships, grants, and financial aid. If you are applying for student loans, make sure that you file your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) on time. If you have questions about financial aid and scholarship opportunities, contact the school’s financial aid office to speak to a counselor about your options.

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