2021 Best Affordable Colleges for International Students in the United States
1,204
Colleges
$17,197
Avg Tuition & Fees*
38%
Avg 4-Year Grad Rate*
With all of the options international students have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. At College Factual, we're committed to helping you make that decision by providing information such as that found in our Best Value Colleges for International Students ranking.
Our analysis looked at 1,204 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for international students. To come up with this ranking, we look at a number of factors that are all objective measurements. These factors include the school's overall value as determined by our Best Colleges for the Money ranking and the percentage of international students on campus.
See what other factors we include in our ranking methodology.
Custom Rankings
We've developed a number of other tools and rankings to help you make your college decision. Start by filtering this list by location and then explore our other rankings that feature schools great for different groups of students such as online students or returnings adults.
One of our other unique offerings is College Combat. This tool lets you build your own customized comparisons utilizing the factors that are most important to you. We encourage you to try it out and pit your favorite colleges and universities head to head! If you don't have time right now, you can bookmark it for later.
Top Value Colleges in the U.S. for International Students
See which schools came out on top of our ranking:
Brigham Young University - Provo tops this year’s ranking as the best value school for international students. Brigham Young University - Provo is a large private not-for-profit school located in Provo, Utah that handed out 6,871 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Of the total number of students at the school, 3.5% are international. Students from as far away as Canada, South Korea, and China come to BYU to study. Out-of-state tuition and fees for undergraduates at BYU is about $6,120 a year, on average. The average tuition and fees for graduate programs is $7,700 per year.
With a freshman retention rate of 92%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students.
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A rank of #2 on our list means University of South Florida - Main Campus is a great place for international students working on their bachelor’s degree. USF Tampa is located in Tampa, Florida and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 10,333 bachelor’s degrees to qualified undergraduates.
International students make up 8.6% of the total student body at the school. Students from as far away as India, China, and Saudi Arabia come to USF Tampa to study. International students at USF Tampa can expect to pay, on average, about $17,324 a year to attend the school. Graduate students pay around $21,126 a year in average tuition and fees.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 92%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
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You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend North Dakota State University - Main Campus. The school came in at #3 in this year’s ranking. North Dakota State University is a fairly large public school situated in Fargo, North Dakota. It awarded 2,568 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
International students make up 4.9% of the total student body at the school. The top three countries sending students to study at North Dakota State University are India, China, and Bangladesh. Yearly tuition and fees (out-of-state) for undergraduates at North Dakota State University runs, on average, about $14,876. Graduate students pay around $12,028 a year in average tuition and fees.
Full North Dakota State University - Main Campus Report
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Iowa State University. It ranked #4 on our 2021 Best Colleges for international students list. Iowa State is a public institution located in Ames, Iowa. The school has a large population, and it awarded 6,998 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Of the total number of students at the school, 8.1% are international. Students from as far away as China, India, and Malaysia come to Iowa State to study. Yearly tuition and fees (out-of-state) for undergraduates at Iowa State runs, on average, about $25,446. Graduate students pay around $26,948 a year in average tuition and fees.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 89%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
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Out of the 1,204 schools in the United States that were part of this year’s ranking, South Dakota State University landed the #5 spot on the list. South Dakota State is located in Brookings, South Dakota and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 1,977 bachelor’s degrees to qualified undergraduates.
International students make up 5.3% of the total student body at the school. Students studying at South Dakota State come from such countries as India, Saudi Arabia, and Nepal. Yearly tuition and fees (out-of-state) for undergraduates at South Dakota State runs, on average, about $12,809. The average tuition and fees for graduate programs is $16,917 per year.
Read full report on South Dakota State University
University of Minnesota - Morris came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Colleges for international Students ranking. Located in Morris, Minnesota, the small public school handed out 304 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Of the total number of students at the school, 4.5% are international. The top three countries sending students to study at UMN Morris are China, India, and South Korea. International students at UMN Morris can expect to pay, on average, about $15,940 a year to attend the school.
Full University of Minnesota - Morris Report
Truman State University landed the #7 spot on the 2021 Best Value Colleges for international Students. Truman State is a public institution located in Kirksville, Missouri. The school has a small population, and it awarded 1,154 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
International students make up 6.2% of the total student body at the school. Students studying at Truman State come from such countries as China, Nepal, and Vietnam. International students at Truman State can expect to pay, on average, about $16,410 a year to attend the school. Graduate students pay around $9,924 a year in average tuition and fees.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 88%.
Read full report on Truman State University
University of Wyoming came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Colleges for international Students ranking. Located in Laramie, Wyoming, the fairly large public school handed out 2,364 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Of the total number of students at the school, 4.3% are international. Students studying at UW come from such countries as China, India, and Canada. Out-of-state tuition and fees for undergraduates at UW is about $16,957 a year, on average. The average tuition and fees for graduate programs is $17,569 per year.
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University of Wisconsin - La Crosse ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Colleges for international Students list. La Crosse, Wisconsin is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelor’s degrees to 2,199 students in 2020-2021.
International students make up 0.6% of the total student body at the school. Students studying at UW - La Crosse come from such countries as China, Saudi Arabia, and Japan. International students at UW - La Crosse can expect to pay, on average, about $18,014 a year to attend the school. The average tuition and fees for graduate programs is $20,073 per year.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%.
Read full report on University of Wisconsin - La Crosse
University of North Dakota did quite well in the 2021 Best Value Colleges for international Students ranking, coming in at #10. Grand Forks, North Dakota is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelor’s degrees to 2,097 students in 2020-2021.
International students make up 5.9% of the total student body at the school. The top three countries sending students to study at UND are China, Canada, and Japan. Out-of-state tuition and fees for undergraduates at UND is about $15,037 a year, on average. The average tuition and fees for graduate programs is $18,968 per year.
Read full report on University of North Dakota
With a ranking of #11, University of Houston did quite well on the 2021 Best Value Colleges for international Students. UH is a large public school situated in Houston, Texas. It awarded 8,890 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Around 7.0% of the total student population at the school is international. Students from as far away as India, China, and Vietnam come to UH to study. Yearly tuition and fees (out-of-state) for undergraduates at UH runs, on average, about $21,891. Graduate students pay around $18,871 a year in average tuition and fees.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 86%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
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With a ranking of #12, Florida State University did quite well on the 2021 Best Value Colleges for international Students. Tallahassee, Florida is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelor’s degrees to 9,735 students in 2020-2021.
Around 4.0% of the total student population at the school is international. Students from as far away as China, India, and Panama come to Florida State to study. Yearly tuition and fees (out-of-state) for undergraduates at Florida State runs, on average, about $21,683. Graduate students pay around $26,707 a year in average tuition and fees.
With a freshman retention rate of 95%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students.
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Texas Tech University landed the #13 spot on the 2021 Best Value Colleges for international Students. Located in Lubbock, Texas, the large public school awarded 6,884 diplomas to qualified bachelor’s degree students in 2020-2021.
Around 5.2% of the total student population at the school is international. Students studying at Texas Tech come from such countries as India, China, and Bangladesh. International students at Texas Tech can expect to pay, on average, about $24,121 a year to attend the school. Graduate students pay around $17,698 a year in average tuition and fees.
With a freshman retention rate of 87%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students.
Read full report on Texas Tech University
Harding University came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Colleges for international Students ranking. Harding is a private not-for-profit institution located in Searcy, Arkansas. The school has a small population, and it awarded 902 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Around 4.8% of the total student population at the school is international. Students studying at Harding come from such countries as China, Honduras, and Guatemala. International students at Harding can expect to pay, on average, about $22,230 a year to attend the school. Graduate students pay around $11,080 a year in average tuition and fees.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 87%.
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Winona State University did quite well in the 2021 Best Value Colleges for international Students ranking, coming in at #15. Winona, Minnesota is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelor’s degrees to 1,622 students in 2020-2021.
Around 1.9% of the total student population at the school is international. Students from as far away as China, Taiwan, and South Korea come to Winona State to study. Out-of-state tuition and fees for undergraduates at Winona State is about $16,684 a year, on average. The average tuition and fees for graduate programs is $12,836 per year.
Full Winona State University Report
Grand Valley State University came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Colleges for international Students ranking. GVSU is a public institution located in Allendale, Michigan. The school has a large population, and it awarded 5,263 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Around 1.3% of the total student population at the school is international. Students from as far away as India, China, and Saudi Arabia come to GVSU to study. Out-of-state tuition and fees for undergraduates at GVSU is about $19,628 a year, on average. The average tuition and fees for graduate programs is $17,904 per year.
Full Grand Valley State University Report
University of Northern Iowa landed the #17 spot on the 2021 Best Value Colleges for international Students. Located in Cedar Falls, Iowa, the medium-sized public school awarded 2,555 diplomas to qualified bachelor’s degree students in 2020-2021.
International students make up 3.5% of the total student body at the school. Students from as far away as Saudi Arabia, China, and Mexico come to UNI to study. Out-of-state tuition and fees for undergraduates at UNI is about $19,753 a year, on average. Graduate students pay around $21,201 a year in average tuition and fees.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%.
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Brigham Young University - Hawaii landed the #18 spot on the 2021 Best Value Colleges for international Students. BYU - H is a private not-for-profit institution located in Laie, Hawaii. The school has a small population, and it awarded 697 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Around 43.6% of the total student population at the school is international. Students from as far away as Japan, Hong Kong, and South Korea come to BYU - H to study. Out-of-state tuition and fees for undergraduates at BYU - H is about $6,068 a year, on average.
Read full report on Brigham Young University - Hawaii
Western Michigan University did quite well in the 2021 Best Value Colleges for international Students ranking, coming in at #19. This fairly large public school is located in Kalamazoo, Michigan, and it awarded 3,747 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
International students make up 7.0% of the total student body at the school. Students from as far away as Saudi Arabia, India, and China come to WMU to study. Out-of-state tuition and fees for undergraduates at WMU is about $16,768 a year, on average. Graduate students pay around $26,248 a year in average tuition and fees.
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University of Illinois at Springfield did quite well in the 2021 Best Value Colleges for international Students ranking, coming in at #20. This small public school is located in Springfield, Illinois, and it awarded 607 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Of the total number of students at the school, 6.2% are international. Students studying at UIS come from such countries as India, China, and Saudi Arabia. Yearly tuition and fees (out-of-state) for undergraduates at UIS runs, on average, about $18,857. The average tuition and fees for graduate programs is $16,757 per year.
Read full report on University of Illinois at Springfield
With a ranking of #21, Brigham Young University - Idaho did quite well on the 2021 Best Value Colleges for international Students. Brigham Young University - Idaho is a large private not-for-profit school located in Rexburg, Idaho that handed out 5,977 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
International students make up 17.5% of the total student body at the school. Students studying at BYU - I come from such countries as Canada, Mexico, and Brazil. International students at BYU - I can expect to pay, on average, about $4,416 a year to attend the school.
Full Brigham Young University - Idaho Report
University of Florida landed the #22 spot on the 2021 Best Value Colleges for international Students. Located in Gainesville, Florida, the large public school awarded 9,775 diplomas to qualified bachelor’s degree students in 2020-2021.
International students make up 7.4% of the total student body at the school. The top three countries sending students to study at UF are China, India, and South Korea. Out-of-state tuition and fees for undergraduates at UF is about $28,659 a year, on average. Graduate students pay around $30,130 a year in average tuition and fees.
With a freshman retention rate of 97%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students.
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Eastern Illinois University landed the #23 spot on the 2021 Best Value Colleges for international Students. This medium-sized public school is located in Charleston, Illinois, and it awarded 1,076 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Of the total number of students at the school, 3.0% are international. Students from as far away as India, China, and Nigeria come to EIU to study. International students at EIU can expect to pay, on average, about $14,551 a year to attend the school. The average tuition and fees for graduate programs is $21,407 per year.
Full Eastern Illinois University Report
University of Minnesota - Duluth came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Colleges for international Students ranking. UMN Duluth is a medium-sized public school situated in Duluth, Minnesota. It awarded 2,288 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Around 1.8% of the total student population at the school is international. Students from as far away as China, India, and South Korea come to UMN Duluth to study. Yearly tuition and fees (out-of-state) for undergraduates at UMN Duluth runs, on average, about $19,148. Graduate students pay around $29,060 a year in average tuition and fees.
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South Dakota School of Mines and Technology came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Colleges for international Students ranking. This small public school is located in Rapid City, South Dakota, and it awarded 360 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Around 5.8% of the total student population at the school is international. Students studying at SD Mines come from such countries as India, China, and Nepal. International students at SD Mines can expect to pay, on average, about $16,530 a year to attend the school. The average tuition and fees for graduate programs is $20,116 per year.
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