Affordable and free Colleges in the US

It may come as a surprise to you, but there are indeed a few colleges in the U.S. that provide high-quality education without burning a hole in your pocket. Traditionally, a U.S. undergraduate education is considered to be an extremely expensive affair, reserved only for the affluent few. The cost of education being US$60,000 upwards per year is a daunting amount for the majority of students belonging to the aspirational and upwardly mobile middle class of India. But dig a little deeper, and you can find some hidden gems that could be the answer to your dream of pursuing higher education in the United States.

Every university determines the cost of attendance for a full year of study. Additionally, attendance fees are determined by both direct and indirect expenses. Tuition, fees, housing, and board (if on campus) are examples of direct charges. Indirect charges include books, supplies, transportation, and personal expenses.

Let us explore a few of these colleges that are within the reach of many international students.

University of Michigan-Flint

Known for its rigorous academic programs, UM-Flint has a thriving international student community. Deeply engaged in research, the university offers excellent opportunities for its students to work alongside faculty. As a result, you can prepare for your career in fields like business, education and human services, fine arts, health, humanities, and STEM. UM-Flint offers a vibrant campus life where students create and join clubs and organizations and participate in leadership development programs. The cost of an undergraduate degree program per year is approximately $40,833.

https://www.umflint.edu/cge/student-resources/tuition-fees/

Rutgers

Rutgers, one of America’s highest-ranked and most diverse universities, is a public university in the New Jersey area. Rutgers, with three regional campuses: Rutgers-Camden, Rutgers-Newark, and Rutgers-New Brunswick, prides itself on having 585,500 alumni around the world and 67,200 undergraduate and graduate students. Rutgers University-New Brunswick offers more than 120 undergraduate majors. The college ensures practical experience for students in their chosen field before graduation. This provides invaluable insider knowledge and the opportunity to connect with future peers and professional contacts. What makes the college most accessible is the reasonable tuition and generous financial aid. The annual cost for international students is $50,716.

https://admissions.rutgers.edu/costs-and-aid/tuition-fees

The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

UIUC is a public research university located in the twin cities of Urbana and Champaign. The university is renowned for its academic excellence and is consistently ranked among the top public universities in the United States. UIUC boasts a large and influential alumni network, including renowned figures in various fields such as academia, government, business, and the arts.

The university’s faculty has 11 Nobel laureates and 18 Pulitzer Prize winners. The University Library is one of the largest public university collections in the world, with 15 million volumes in its 20+ unit libraries. The students of UIUC receive transformative educational experiences both inside and outside the campus, so that they leave with the skills, knowledge, and drive to become leaders in their fields and make a positive impact in the world. The cost of attendance at UIUC for international students is between $ 56,334-66422.

Tuition & Fee Rates by Academic Year – Office of the Registrar (illinois.edu)

Stony Brook University

SBU is another excellent college renowned for its academic rigor. Offering 200 undergraduate programs and more than 140 graduate and doctoral degrees, this university has a growing alumni network making significant contributions in various fields. The six undergraduate colleges transform the student experience by helping them take advantage of the university’s vast resources, thereby gaining the reputation of being one of the country’s most significant places of learning. The university’s picturesque location on Long Island’s North Shore, just 60 miles from New York, is a major highlight. While the estimated annual cost of attendance at SBU is $52,798, the university offers scholarships to deserving students.

https://www.stonybrook.edu/commcms/finaid/undergraduate/basics/Cost.php

Brigham Young University

A private research university located in Provo, Utah, with campuses in Idaho, Laie, and Hawaii, BYU was established in 1885. Owned and operated by the LDS Church, BYU adheres to the principles and teachings of the church. However, it welcomes students and faculty from diverse backgrounds and faiths. The school prepares its students to be lifelong learners who later pursue graduate studies in their field of expertise.

With 198 undergraduate majors, 96 master’s programs, and 30 doctorate programs, BYU is a highly selective school. The Church of Jesus Christ, as BYU’s sponsor, enables students to gain a great education for as little as US$29,548 annually in the Provo, Utah campus and a surprisingly low cost of $ 10,037 for non-LDS members.

https://enrollment.byu.edu/financial-aid/cost-of-attendance

https://www.byui.edu/financial-aid/tuition-and-cost-of-attendance#non-member

Apart from the above-mentioned colleges, there are many more colleges where students can expect to get a great education at a low cost. While at Sweet Briar College the cost is $ 39,820, at Southeast Missouri State University (SEMO) the annual cost is a surprisingly low 29,747.22. Various factors, such as state funding, endowments, and cost-saving measures, allow colleges to extend the tuition fee benefits to deserving students without undermining the reputation of the institution or compromising the quality of students. Applying to U.S. colleges requires a great deal of research program and planning. Good grades and a strong profile enable colleges to select the best candidates from a pool of applicants.

Tuition-Free Colleges in the US – Study for Free

The following table provides key details on the listed institutions, focusing on their tuition-free models, eligibility requirements, additional costs (e.g., fees, room/board), service obligations (if applicable), and unique features. All data is current as of the 2025-2026 academic year, where available. These schools eliminate tuition barriers through scholarships, endowments, work programs, or government funding, but students may still incur other expenses. Note: “Tuition-free” typically means no direct tuition payment, but indirect costs like fees or work commitments apply.

College	State	How It Works	Eligibility	Other Costs	Service Obligation	Unique Features
Alice Lloyd College	KY	Full tuition scholarship via the Appalachian Leaders College Scholarship; funded by donors and grants.	Students from 108 Appalachian counties (KY, OH, TN, VA, WV); must file FAFSA.	Room/board: ~$8,732/year; books/supplies: ~$1,600; other fees: ~$2,080. Work requirement: 10+ hours/week on campus.	None.	Small liberal arts college emphasizing Appalachian leadership; 100% of qualifying students attend tuition-free.
The Apprentice School	VA	Tuition-free apprenticeships (4-8 years) with paid employment; leads to associate degrees via partnerships.	High school diploma/GED; competitive selection for shipbuilding trades.	None (paid ~$21-31/hour + benefits; covers living expenses). Work: Full-time (40 hours/week).	None beyond apprenticeship completion.	Operated by Newport News Shipbuilding; focuses on 19 trades; 100% employment in field post-graduation.
Barclay College	KS	Full-tuition scholarship for full-time dorm residents; funded by donors.	Full-time enrollment and on-campus housing; FAFSA required for need-based aid.	Room/board: ~$9,000/year; books: ~$800. Work optional.	None.	Quaker Christian college; emphasizes ministry; tuition-free only for residents (commuters pay reduced rate).
Berea College	KY	No-tuition promise since 1892; full scholarship covers tuition via endowment and donors.	All admitted students; prioritizes low-income; FAFSA required.	Room/board: ~$10,000/year (covered for many via work); fees: ~$500. Work: 10-15 hours/week.	None.	First interracial/co-ed college in the South; 81% of students attend completely free; strong focus on service.
Cal Poly Humboldt	CA	Green & Gold Guarantee: Covers gap between aid and in-state tuition/fees.	CA residents eligible for max Pell Grant; GPA 3.85+ for some; full-time enrollment.	In-state tuition/fees: ~$8,828/year (covered); room/board: ~$15,000; books: ~$1,000.	None.	CSU campus; focuses on environmental sciences; guarantee renewable up to 4 years; out-of-state not eligible.
College of the Ozarks	MO	No tuition; students work 15 hours/week + 2 weeks full-time to “pay” for education.	Full-time; financial need preferred; FAFSA required.	Room/board: ~$7,000/year (partial work offset); fees: ~$500; books: ~$800.	None.	“Hard Work U”; Christian college; 100% debt-free graduates; conservative values emphasis.
Curtis Institute of Music	PA	Full-tuition scholarships since 1928; merit-based for all admitted.	Audition-based; exceptional talent required.	Comprehensive fee: $3,500/year; health insurance: $2,500 (waivable); room/board: ~$15,000.	None.	Elite conservatory; ~150 students; focuses on performance; need-based aid for living expenses.
Deep Springs College	CA	Full scholarship covers tuition, room, board; two-year program.	~12-15 students/year; competitive; all-male until 2018 (now co-ed).	Books/travel/insurance: ~$2,000/year; damage deposit: $500 (refundable). Labor: 20 hours/week on ranch/farm.	None.	Isolated desert ranch; student self-governance; 2/3 transfer to Ivies; emphasizes “three pillars” (academics, labor, governance).
Haskell Indian Nations University	KS	Tuition-free since 1884; federal funding for Native students.	U.S. federally recognized tribe members; FAFSA optional.	Fees: ~$1,200/year (on-campus); room/board: ~$8,000.	None.	Tribal university; 140+ nations represented; focuses on Indigenous studies; ~1,000 students.
United States Air Force Academy	CO	Full tuition, room, board, medical paid by Air Force; ~$416,000 value.	U.S. citizens; nomination required (Congressional, etc.); physical/medical fitness.	Personal expenses: ~$1,000/year (from stipend). Monthly stipend: ~$1,000.	5 years active duty + 3 years reserves post-graduation.	Rigorous military training; STEM focus; 100% job placement as officers; co-ed since 1976.
United States Coast Guard Academy	CT	Full tuition, room, board, medical paid; ~$500,000+ value.	U.S. citizens; nomination; fitness tests.	Uniforms/personal: ~$3,000 initial (from stipend). Monthly stipend: ~$1,200.	5 years active duty (more for pilots).	Smallest service academy (~1,000 students); maritime focus; 85% serve longer; co-ed since 1976.
United States Merchant Marine Academy	NY	Full tuition, room, board, uniforms paid; federal funding.	U.S. citizens; nomination; physical exam.	Fees: ~$945/year; books: ~$4,591; monthly stipend: ~$1,200.	5 years maritime/reserve or active military.	Maritime focus; trains officers for merchant marine; sailing training ship USCGC Eagle; 100% placement.
United States Military Academy	NY	Full tuition, room, board, medical paid; ~$500,000 value.	U.S. citizens; nomination; fitness/medical.	Personal expenses: ~$1,000/year (from stipend). Monthly stipend: ~$1,200.	5 years active duty + 3 years reserves.	West Point; oldest U.S. service academy; leadership/engineering focus; ~4,400 cadets.
University of New Hampshire	NH	Granite Guarantee: Covers in-state tuition gap after Pell/state aid.	NH residents; Pell-eligible; full-time; GPA 3.0+ for transfers.	In-state tuition: ~$19,112 (covered); room/board: ~$13,314; books: ~$1,500.	None.	Public research university; guarantee renewable 4 years; covers tuition only (not fees/housing).
Warren Wilson College	NC	NC Free Tuition Plan: Covers tuition after federal/state aid.	NC residents; Pell/NC need-based eligible; full-time.	Tuition: ~$39,300 (covered); room/board: ~$12,610; fees: ~$990. Work: 4-8 hours/week.	None.	Liberal arts work college; experiential learning; also Milepost One for low-income out-of-state.
Webb Institute	NY	Full-tuition scholarship for all U.S. citizens/permanent residents since 1889.	U.S. citizens/PR; high SAT/ACT; focus on marine engineering.	Room/board: ~$17,000/year; fees: ~$1,000; need-based aid available.	None.	Small (~100 students); only naval architecture/marine engineering major; 100% job placement.
Williamson College of the Trades	PA	Full scholarship covers tuition, room, board; ~$36,500 value.	High school seniors; financial need preferred; males only.	Fees: ~$140/year; books/tools: ~$1,000; uniforms: ~$500 initial. Work: Integrated in program.	None.	Men’s trade college; six 3-year associate programs; character/faith focus; 100% debt-free.