2025 Cheapest Colleges

Choosing a college in the United States doesn't have to mean breaking the bank. While many colleges in the United States are known for their high tuition costs, there are also plenty of affordable options available. This guide highlights the most budget-friendly colleges across the country , focusing on tuition and fees for the 2024-2025 academic year, so you can plan for the upcoming 2025-2026 school year with confidence.

In 2025, the average tuition and fees at 1,485 four-year Colleges with the Lowest Tuition & Fees is $31,195, reflecting a -2.60% increase compared to the previous year.Among the 1485 institutions analyzed, tuition rose at 1,088 colleges, while tuition decreased at only 83 colleges.

During the academic year 2024-2025, 25 colleges had tuition and fees below $10,000. Brigham Young University ranks as the least expensive colleges. With tuition and fees at just $6,688, Brigham Young University offers an affordable education without compromising on quality. It is an excellent choice for students seeking value in their college experience.

Close behind are Trine University-Regional/Non-Traditional Campuses at$7,176 and Louisiana State University-Shreveport at$7,327 both consistently recognized among the Colleges with the Lowest Tuition & Fees, providing quality education at a fraction of the cost of many other colleges.

At these Affordable Colleges, the average acceptance rate is 78.54%, and the average SAT score is 1,067, making them not only cost-effective but also accessible options for a wide range of students.

Comparison between Colleges With The Lowest Tuition & Fees

Table. Colleges With The Lowest Tuition & Fees Comparison
School NameUndergraduate Tuition & FeesGraduate Tuition & FeesAcceptance RateTotal PopulationSAT ScoreGraduation RateStudents to Faculty Ratio
1
-		Brigham Young University Provo, UTPrivate, 4-year $6,688
$192		$8,416
$320		67.78%35,8731,36081.00%21 to 1
2
26		Trine University-Regional/Non-Traditional Campuses Angola, INPrivate, 4-year $7,176
$2,400		$10,350
-		39.86%9,868--13 to 1
3Louisiana State University-Shreveport Shreveport, LAPublic, 4-year $7,327
($7,327)		$7,349
($7,349)		50.55%10,7491,09038.00%30 to 1
4
2		Central Methodist University-College of Graduate and Extended Studies Fayette, MOPrivate, 4-year $7,500
$540		$7,425
$1,035		87.53%3,802--28 to 1
5
2		Pacific Islands University Mangilao, GUPrivate, 4-year $7,516
$313		$5,428
-		100.00%62-67.00%15 to 1
6
1		University of North Carolina at Pembroke Pembroke, NCPublic, 4-year $7,648
($3,648)
$77		$19,987
($6,928)
$77		93.26%7,6741,08044.00%14 to 1
7
1		Mississippi Valley State University Itta Bena, MSPublic, 4-year $7,692
($7,692)
$220		$8,385
($8,385)
$100		92.38%2,205-27.00%13 to 1
8
1		Wayne State College Wayne, NEPublic, 4-year $8,171
($8,171)
$248		$10,194
($5,784)
$234		-4,666-52.00%19 to 1
9
5		Chadron State College Chadron, NEPublic, 4-year $8,294
($8,294)
$730		$10,293
($5,883)
$890		-2,098-50.00%15 to 1
10
2		Fayetteville State University Fayetteville, NCPublic, 4-year $8,353
($4,353)
$384		$17,856
($6,791)
$594		82.15%7,10799038.00%20 to 1
11
1		Peru State College Peru, NEPublic, 4-year $8,433
($8,433)
$153		$9,600
($9,600)
$192		-1,492-38.00%17 to 1
12
-		Beulah Heights University Atlanta, GAPrivate, 4-year $8,492
-		$8,460
-		-359-33.00%6 to 1
12
3		Mississippi University for Women Columbus, MSPublic, 4-year $8,492
($8,492)
$400		$8,492
($8,492)
$400		90.31%2,193-47.00%10 to 1
14
3		Southwestern Oklahoma State University Weatherford, OKPublic, 4-year $8,499
($8,469)
$174		$8,110
($8,086)
$171		-5,186-40.00%19 to 1
15
1		Delta State University Cleveland, MSPublic, 4-year $8,605
($8,605)
-		$8,605
($8,605)
-		100.00%2,6541,05048.00%12 to 1
16
3		Western Carolina University Cullowhee, NCPublic, 4-year $8,630
($4,630)
$98		$18,595
($7,876)
$98		81.83%11,6861,18060.00%16 to 1
17
-		Minot State University Minot, NDPublic, 4-year $8,702
($8,702)
$69		$10,886
($10,886)
$69		64.62%2,7511,06045.00%11 to 1
18
4		Alcorn State University Alcorn State, MSPublic, 4-year $8,785
($8,785)
$236		$9,520
($9,520)
$257		45.33%2,99584057.00%16 to 1
19
-		Faith International University Tacoma, WAPrivate, 4-year $8,850
-		$7,350
-		-464-25.00%16 to 1
20
5		Thomas Edison State University Trenton, NJPublic, 4-year $8,856
($6,838)
$258		$12,150
($12,150)
-		-7,544--20 to 1
21
3		Eastern New Mexico University-Main Campus Portales, NMPublic, 4-year $9,054
($7,074)
$336		$7,480
($5,706)
$254		91.66%5,72594045.00%18 to 1
22
1		Amberton University Garland, TXPrivate, 4-year $9,060
$25		$7,260
$25		-892--12 to 1
23
1		Nicholls State University Thibodaux, LAPublic, 4-year $9,242
($8,149)
$24		$9,329
($8,236)
$18		90.80%6,0431,08054.00%19 to 1
24
1		University of Management and Technology Arlington, VAPrivate, 4-year $9,450
-		$7,110
-		-979-33.00%15 to 1
25
1		University of Phoenix-Arizona Phoenix, AZPrivate, 4-year $9,552
-		$15,208
$1,007		-111,248-21.00%147 to 1
Average$8,363
($7,354)		$10,154
($8,142)		78.54%9,8531,06744.90%22 to 1