We understand, college can get pricey! However, getting a quality education doesn’t have to require a lot of spending. In fact, some of the most affordable colleges provide the best curriculum!
Tight on budget but still want to pursue higher education? Don’t let the daunting tuition costs scare you away. We have a list of the cheapest colleges that offer a wide variety of academic degree programs to fit your budget. Begin your search with our easy-to-use search tool below!
| Rank | School Name | City | State | Net Cost | School Level | Retention Rate | In-State Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute | Albuquerque | NM | $9,222 | 2 year | 35.77% | $0 |
| 2 | Folsom Lake College | Folsom | CA | $10,660 | 2 year | 73.01% | $0 |
| 3 | Chabot College | Hayward | CA | $7,410 | 2 year | 75.85% | $0 |
| 4 | Cosumnes River College | Sacramento | CA | $9,231 | 2 year | 73.09% | $0 |
| 5 | American River College | Sacramento | CA | $7,838 | 2 year | 69.9% | $0 |
| 6 | Feather River Community College District | Quincy | CA | $9,254 | 2 year | 52.69% | $0 |
| 7 | United States Coast Guard Academy | New London | CT | N/A | 4 year | 98.16% | $0 |
| 8 | United States Merchant Marine Academy | Kings Point | NY | $4,392 | 4 year | 95.33% | $0 |
| 9 | Sacramento City College | Sacramento | CA | $7,659 | 2 year | 69.54% | $0 |
| 10 | San Bernardino Valley College | San Bernardino | CA | $7,655 | 2 year | 65.92% | $0 |
| 11 | City College of San Francisco | San Francisco | CA | $4,865 | 2 year | 70.26% | $0 |
| 12 | Haskell Indian Nations University | Lawrence | KS | $4,674 | 4 year | N/A | $0 |
| 13 | Curtis Institute of Music | Philadelphia | PA | N/A | 4 year | 100% | $0 |
| 14 | College of Charleston | Charleston | SC | $17,609 | 4 year | 79% | $70 |
| 15 | Citadel Military College of South Carolina | Charleston | SC | $17,450 | 4 year | 85.74% | $150 |
| 16 | Blue Ridge Community and Technical College | Martinsburg | WV | $7,579 | 2 year | 54.24% | $336 |
| 17 | Massachusetts Bay Community College | Wellesley Hills | MA | $12,197 | 2 year | 61.89% | $576 |
| 18 | Bristol Community College | Fall River | MA | $7,336 | 2 year | 60.6% | $576 |
| 19 | Bunker Hill Community College | Boston | MA | $7,361 | 2 year | 67.11% | $576 |
| 20 | Cape Cod Community College | West Barnstable | MA | $8,882 | 2 year | 54.98% | $576 |
| 21 | Massasoit Community College | Brockton | MA | $6,946 | 2 year | 58.63% | $576 |
| 22 | Middlesex Community College | Bedford | MA | $4,635 | 2 year | 62.08% | $576 |
| 23 | Quinsigamond Community College | Worcester | MA | $6,698 | 2 year | 52.54% | $576 |
| 24 | North Shore Community College | Danvers | MA | $7,818 | 2 year | 64.42% | $600 |
| 25 | Northern Essex Community College | Haverhill | MA | $7,730 | 2 year | 62.03% | $600 |
With education in general being so costly, considering a more affordable college to earn a degree is a very smart move. While some universities may be cheaper than others, it does not mean that they provide inferior quality in terms of education. In fact, depending on what you are looking to study, a cheaper college may even serve you better! Saving money on tuition allows students to have more spending money on experiences. This could mean joining a fraternity or sorority, exploring national parks or amusement parks, or simply eating a really good meal every now and then. Besides, it’s never a bad idea to save money. There’s nothing that feels better than graduating with little to no debt. We’re sure of that!
College tuition varies depending on location, but there are definitely more affordable colleges in every state that provide many excellent fields of study, research opportunities, and more.
Attending college is a big step for many people, and there are many other financial expenses to consider aside from simply picking the cheapest college. Here are some to keep in mind as you continue your search:
Being aware of and accounting for all the other miscellaneous expenses outside of tuition alone will allow students to be more financially prepared and avoid unnecessary stress down the line.
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