With inflation on the rise, students are asking themselves more than ever whether higher education is affordable. But there are great opportunities for an affordable, high-quality education across the United States! ApplyBoard spotlighted the five most affordable cities in the US earlier this year. In today’s ApplyInsights, we delve into higher education opportunities for international students in the top 10 lowest cost of living US states.
It’s no secret that in the latter half of the last decade, international students increasingly looked elsewhere for their education. This decline started under former President Obama and continued under former President Trump. But as the US government works to restore the US’s international reputation, many states that have seen significant drops in international student population are now offering competitive scholarships and other benefits to attract students. Students can take advantage of this by seeking out prestigious higher education opportunities in the following low cost of living states.
Key Insights at a Glance
- Nine of the top ten most affordable US states are in the Midwest or the South region.
- Some schools are offering scholarships that cover up to 95% of tuition.
- Many STEM programs now offer up to three years of post-graduation work experience through Optional Practical Training (OPT), increasing the accessibility of visa sponsorship.
For this article, we’ll be using the cost of living index from World Population Review. The cost of living index gives the percentage difference in the cost of living between one location and another. The percentage difference is always compared to 100; therefore, if the cost of living index is 90, it is 10% below the location it is being compared to. In this case, when comparing the cost of living index of states, 100 represents the U.S. average.
With the interactive map below, you can see each state’s cost of living score, and can toggle between different costs:
10. Indiana
Technically the 12th cheapest place to live in the US, Indiana welcomed just under 24,000 international students in 2020-21, the second most on this list.1 The Hoosier State’s international student community has grown by eight percent since 2011-12. Indiana ranks eighth most affordable for housing in the US.
Trine University offers merit-based undergraduate scholarships to international students up to $16,000 per year. Purdue University Northwest also offers merit-based international program scholarships.
9. Georgia
With more than 21,500 international students, Georgia welcomed the third most international students on this list in 2020-21. The state’s international community has grown by 33% since 2011-12, and proved more resilient than other states during the recent decline of incoming students: 2020-21 was the first time in the past decade that Georgia’s international student community did not grow. Georgia ranks fifth most affordable for housing.
8. Kansas
In 2020-21, more than 7,700 international students enrolled in higher education in Kansas. The Sunflower State was one of the hardest hit by the recent downturn in incoming international students—enrollment declined 36% compared to its 2014-15 high point. Kansas ranks first for affordable miscellaneous costs, as well as third for housing and sixth for groceries.
Pittsburg State University offers competitive tuition rates under $33,000 for both undergraduates and postgraduates, as well as scholarships up to $6,000 per year. Other schools to consider are the University of Kansas and Wichita State University, which combined to host over 4,000 international students in 2020-21.
7. Michigan
Having welcomed nearly 27,500 international students in 2020-21, Michigan has the largest international student community on this list. The Great Lakes State is home to two of the top 35 institutions hosting international students.2 Though housing, utilities, and transportation costs are more affordable elsewhere, Michigan ranks first for affordable groceries.
Both Western Michigan University and Central Michigan offer a multitude of scholarships for both undergraduate and postgraduate international students.3 Students with a prominent Christian background can also consider Hope College.
6. Tennessee
Tennessee is another state struggling to attract international talent in recent years. The 6,800 international students enrolled in the Volunteer State in 2020-21 represented a 31% decline since its high in 2016-17. Alongside its rank of 12th for housing affordability, Tennessee ranks first for affordable transportation, as well as seventh for affordable groceries and fifth for miscellaneous costs.
University of Tennessee, Knoxville offers scholarships between $4,000 and $18,000 annually, and Middle Tennessee State University offers merit-based scholarships of $4,000, $8,000, and $16,000 per year. Students can also consider the prestigious Tennessee Tech University, which has a long list of accolades.
5. New Mexico
New Mexico has the smallest international student community on this list, with a little over 2,300 students in 2020-21. The Land of Enchantment’s international student population has declined by 39% since its 2015-16 high. New Mexico ranks fourth for affordable miscellaneous costs.
4. Missouri
Home of the fourth largest international student community on this list, Missouri hosted more than 17,000 international students in 2020-21. This represented a 29% decline from the Show-Me State’s high in 2015-16. Missouri is a jack of all trades, ranking 11th for affordable housing, 12th for groceries, fifth for transportation, and 10th for miscellaneous costs.
Southeast Missouri State University offers an Intensive English Program (IEP) with five start dates per year and recently lowered tuition. This IEP costs just over $23,000 per year inclusive of tuition, fees, and living expenses. Other schools to consider in the Show-Me State include the University of Central Missouri, Webster University, the University of Missouri-Kansas City ALI, and Northwest Missouri State University.
3. Oklahoma
Oklahoma was one of the hardest-hit states during the recent decline of incoming students, as international enrollment dropped 40% in 2020-21 compared to the state’s 2015-16 highs. Oklahoma ranks as fourth most affordable for housing, sixth for miscellaneous costs, eighth for transportation, and 10th for groceries.
Oklahoma State University – Stillwater and University of Oklahoma – Norman combined to welcome more than 3,300 international students in 2020-21, more than half of the state’s total international student community.
2. Arkansas
Arkansas hosted over 5,100 international students in 2020-21. This represented 21% growth since 2011-12. The Natural State ranks sixth most affordable for housing, fifth for groceries, and seventh for transportation.
University of Central Arkansas automatically awards “in-state” tuition scholarships to all international students who commit to living in on-campus housing, which brings the total cost to just under $22,000 per year. Students interested in language skills can check out Spring International Language Center.
1. Mississippi
Mississippi has the second smallest international student community in this list, with a little over 2,500 students welcomed in 2020-21. But this could change if students decide to take advantage of the numerous cost of living advantages in the Hospitality State. Mississippi ranks first for affordable housing, third for transportation and miscellaneous costs, and ninth for groceries.
Looking Forward
In addition to program choice, cost is an important factor for deciding where to study. Students should know that they do not need to sacrifice quality for affordability when it comes to their education. Students willing to look outside of the more popular states like California and New York can find high-quality education for a fraction of the cost.
The US has shown its commitment to international students earlier this year with an exciting expansion of OPT. This was in addition to positive amendments to the THRIVE Act that will allow recruitment partners to support international students more than they ever have before.
These changes will open a lot more opportunities for international students hoping to study in the US. Looking at these low cost of living states can give students the best of both worlds: high-quality education at affordable rates.
Published: February 17, 2022
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FOOTNOTES:
1. Institute of International Education (IIE), Open Doors 2021.
2. University of Michigan – Ann Arbor and Michigan State University.
3. Scholarships for Western Michigan University can be found here, and scholarships for Central Michigan can be found here.
