Let’s be real—who actually wants to spend the next 20 years paying off student loans? Not you, not me, not anyone with half a brain. College in the U.S. is pricey, but there are schools out there that won’t make you sell your soul or live on instant noodles for a decade. If you wanna get a legit degree without lighting your wallet on fire, you’re in the right place. Here’s my not-so-fancy, straight-up list of 10 U.S. universities where you can actually afford tuition and still get a solid education. International or local, doesn’t matter—these picks are for everyone.

Table of Contents (Because Why Not)

• Why Bother With Affordable Universities?
  1. California State University, Long Beach (CSULB)
  2. University of Wyoming
  3. Delta State University
  4. South Texas College
  5. Minot State University
  6. Brigham Young University (BYU)
  7. University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV)
  8. Southeast Missouri State University (SEMO)
  9. Nicholls State University
  10. University of the People
• Tips to Stretch Your College Dollar
• How to Actually Contact These Schools

Why Even Bother With This List?

Okay, so here’s the deal: Average tuition for public universities is, what, almost $11K a year now? Private schools are just showing off at $40K+ (yikes). Thing is, you don’t have to drop that kind of cash to get a good education. The schools below? They’re cheap(er), but you still get decent programs, good graduation rates, and a fighting chance at a job that isn’t just making coffee for someone named Chad. Sound good? Cool.

1. California State University, Long Beach (CSULB) So, CSULB sits right by the beach and somehow keeps its in-state tuition to around $5,700/year. Graduation rate is solid (74%), and folks walk out making about $55K to start. They’re especially good if you’re into business, engineering, or the arts, and the LA location means you could snag a killer internship if you play your cards right. Seriously, for the price, you could do a lot worse.
2. University of Wyoming Ever wanted to live somewhere with actual seasons and zero traffic? Laramie’s your spot. Tuition for locals is a chill $5,500/year, and they hand out scholarships like Halloween candy. They’re kinda nerdy about engineering and environmental science, but you’ll find a bunch of other majors, too. The campus scenery? Straight outta a nature doc.
3. Delta State University Delta State is in Cleveland, Mississippi (not the rock-n-roll one), and charges about $8K a year. Business, education, nursing—you name it. It’s small, so you won’t be lost in a sea of randos, and they actually try to help international students, which is rare. Scholarships aren’t just a rumor here, either.
4. South Texas College Alright, this one’s wild: $254 per credit for international students, works out to like $3,750 a semester. They’re big on health, IT, and business, and nearly 11,000 students means you’ll find your people. They’ve got a ton of online classes, too, if you don’t feel like braving Texas heat.
5. Minot State University Up in North Dakota, Minot State is one of those “wait, where?” schools that surprises you. International tuition? Around $8,800 a year. Sixty+ programs, small classes, quiet campus—perfect if you actually wanna study (or just need some peace). Plus, on-campus gigs to help with bills.
6. Brigham Young University (BYU) Whether or not you vibe with BYU’s whole “honor code” thing, you can’t ignore the price: $4,940 a year, period. It’s private, it’s big (over 32K students!), and their language and business programs are kind of a big deal. Scholarships? Yep, lots.
7. University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) This one’s got a mission: helping first-gen and Hispanic students make it big. Tuition’s low, programs in health, biz, and education are strong, and you’ll find loads of support. If you’re grinding for a better future, UTRGV’s in your corner.
8. Southeast Missouri State University (SEMO) Missouri’s not just for Mark Twain and tornadoes. SEMO charges about $8,700 for in-state tuition, and the school’s pretty generous with admissions (86% acceptance). Business and health programs are the big draws, and grads start out making around $43K on average. Not bad, right?
9. Nicholls State University Down in Louisiana, Nicholls State asks $7,946 (in-state) or $9,039 (out-of-state). Nursing and culinary arts are their jam, and with just over 5,500 students, you won’t get lost. They’re ranked #72 in their region—which, hey, isn’t too shabby.
10. University of the People Alright, plot twist: this one’s totally online and tuition-free. You just pay for exams, which is basically pocket change compared to the rest. If you’re self-motivated and wanna dodge ALL the campus drama, this is your golden ticket.

How to Make College Even Cheaper

Pro tip: apply for every scholarship and grant you can find, even the weird ones. Work-study gigs and community college transfers save serious cash. And don’t forget to actually talk to the financial aid offices—sometimes they know tricks you don’t.

Wanna Know More or Apply?

I’d say hit up each school’s site for the nitty-gritty. Admissions, financial aid, whatever—just ask. Nobody bites. (Well, except maybe during finals.)

There you go. Ten schools that won’t bankrupt you and actually give you something to show for it. College doesn’t have to be a financial horror movie. Go get it.