Attending graduate school is optional, but the advantages outweigh the disadvantages. While graduate school widens your knowledge about a subject matter, most don’t come cheap. Hence, let’s help you by giving you some of the Cheapest United States Graduate Schools.
According to The Atlantic, college fees are four times higher than they used to be. And while most schools blame it on improved delivery and sophistication, it doesn’t fit because many students find it challenging to cope with these fees.
In this article, we will address the Cheapest United States Graduate Schools and their tuition cost. The table of content below clearly outlines all you’ll learn in this content.
Table of contents
Why You Need a Cheap Graduate Program?
According to an analysis on the Federal Reserve Bank of New York website, the average student loan debt after four years of college was more than $23,000 in 2012. But 10% of borrowers owed more than $54,000, and about 167,000 former students owed more than $200,000.
These numbers continue to rise as students battle to keep up with the high tuition. These schools with high fees usually don’t have valid reasons for their outrageous education. Research has shown most of them use it to scare students away.
So, don’t get ahead to fight your way through paying tuition in school. Just follow us as we show you top-quality schools where you can study for less. Indeed, you’ll be shocked at the level of quality they offer you.
Also Read: Masters Scholarships – World Scholarship Forum
Cheapest United States Graduate Schools In 2024
Getting into a good graduate school is difficult, but finding a cheap one is like climbing a mountain barefoot. It hurts! However, we have taken the pain away by researching to give you the best results.
Hence, here are the Cheapest United States Graduate Schools;
10. Missouri State University
Tuition: $5,015
Missouri University is a public university located in Missouri. They also have the state’s largest university campus with very high enrolment numbers. One of their campuses is located at Liaoning Nirmal University, China.
The university offers more than 150 undergraduate majors and over 45 graduate programs. Their academic divisions include; the College of Humanities, College of Business, College of Education, College of Natural Applied Sciences, and College of Arts.
Missouri State University has a state mission in public affairs awarded by the state legislature in 1995. They have three main themes: ethical leadership, cultural competence, and engagement community.
MSU has defined the objective of the ethical leadership component as “students will articulate their value systems, act ethically in the context of a democratic society and demonstrate committed and principled leadership.”
The Cultural Competence aspect aims to help students recognize and respect multiple perspectives and cultures. Two goals have been defined for the share of community participation in the mission.
They are that “students will recognize the importance of putting their knowledge and experiences at the service of their community and society. Despite this value proposition, they remain among the Cheapest United States Graduate Schools.
9. University of the Cumberlands
Tuition: $4,883
The University of Cumberlands is one of the Cheapest United States Graduate Schools. Funnily enough, they have been a private university since its inception in 1888. It was until 2005 they changed from Cumberland College to the University of the Cumberlands.
The Commission of Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools accredited the University of Cumberlands. Hence, this university is divided into four colleges: Cumberland College (the university’s undergraduate school), the Hutton School of Business/Management, the Hutton Center for Leadership Studies, and the Graduate/Professional Education program.
This university is committed and recognizes the value of community service through its Hutton Center for Leadership Studies. 100% of undergraduate students participate in community service before graduating, developing a 40-hour community service project through their “Lead 101” class.
UC recognizes students who wish to make an extra effort in service. Those who accumulate 200 or more hours of community service at UC are designated “Hutton Fellows” and receive certificates.
These students are recognized at their graduation ceremonies and can request a “leadership transcript” from the university when applying for career and graduate positions.
Many campus organizations offer community service opportunities, including the Government Student Association, the Academic Resource Center (ARC), the Campus Activities Board, the newspaper The Patriot Campus, and resident assistant positions.
8. University of Central Arkansas
Tuition: $4,875
Founded in 1907 as the Arkansas State Normal School, this university stands among the oldest in the U.S. state of Arkansas.
As the state’s only regular school at the time, UCA has historically been the primary source of teachers in Arkansas. This school gains recognition for its nursing, education, physical therapy, business, performing arts, and psychology programs.
The university has six colleges: the Faculty of Fine Arts and Communication, the Faculty of Natural and Mathematical Sciences, the Faculty of Business, the Faculty of Health and Behavioral Sciences, the Faculty of Liberal Arts, and the Faculty of Education.
In addition, UCA is home to five residential universities and one suburban university, which are HPaW Residential College, EDGE Residential College, The Stars Residential College, STEM Residential College, EPIC Residential College, and Minton Commuter College.
The UCA has approximately 12,000 graduate and undergraduate students, making it one of the largest universities in the state. The university maintains a student-to-faculty ratio of roughly 17 to 1.
Over 150 undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs are offered at the university. The UCA occupies over 120 buildings on its 356 acres (1.44 km2).
Also Read: 7 Important places to find grad school scholarships and grants
7. Graceland University
Tuition: $4,800
Founded in 1895, Graceland University is a private university offering satellite campuses degree programs. Additionally, it also provides most of its degree programs online.
The Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools accredited Graceland University. Also, the nursing programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) and have full approval status with the Iowa Board of Nursing and the Missouri State Board of Nursing.
Instead of having fraternities and brotherhoods like many universities, Graceland has residential social organizations called “Houses.” So, these houses are on the main Graceland campus; however, the Independence Campus has its place, McKevitt Manor.
Students get homes, whether they live on-campus or off-campus. Graceland has six men’s homes: Agape, Cheville, Closson, Faunce, Orion, and Stewart Manor. Graceland has nine women’s houses: Amici, Aponivi, Dimora, Hawthorne, Khiyah, Paloma, Sariah, Shalom, and Solah.
Apart from a beautiful college setting and quality academic learning. This school has very affordable tuition, which can accommodate more students at the university. Hence, GU remains of the Cheapest United States Graduate Schools.
6. University of Arkansas
Tuition: $4,558
This university is a public land-grant research university in Fayetteville, Arkansas. It is the flagship campus of the University of Arkansas System and the most prominent, best-known university in the state.
Founded as Arkansas Industrial University in 1871, its name was adopted in 1899, and classes were first held on January 22, 1872.
UA has robust architecture, agriculture (particularly animal science and poultry science), business, communication disorders, creative writing, history, law, and Middle Eastern studies programs.
Altogether there are about thirteen branches and six other units in the University of Arkansas System. These include; the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences in Little Rock; four-year campuses in Fayetteville, Fort Smith, Little Rock, Monticello, and Pine Bluff; and two-year community or technical college campuses in Batesville, De Queen, Helena-West Helena, Hope, Mena, North Little Rock, and Morrilton.
Units also under the UA System include the Clinton School of Public Service, the Criminal Justice Institute, the Arkansas Archeological Survey, the Division of Agriculture, the Winthrop Rockefeller Institute, and the Arkansas School for Mathematics, Sciences, and the Arts.
Of course, with their deep knowledge and experience, you don’t expect them to sit on the sidelines. They offer exceptional programs and remain among the Cheapest United States Graduate Schools.
5. Campbellsville University
Tuition: $4,485
“Campbellsville University is where learning, faith, and passion go hand-in-hand. At CU; you’ll find more than your career: you’ll find your calling”. The above statement is how this University describes itself. So accurate!
A high acceptance rate of 69% and a graduation rate of 39% say one thing. CU is willing to welcome students from all over the world, but unless you complete your training, you won’t quickly graduate.
This university currently enrolls more than 12,000 students and is open to students of any denomination. The university offers associate, bachelor’s, and master’s degrees. All these offerings are under their three schools: the School of Music, School of Art, and School of Education.
Campbellsville University offers online-degree opportunities as well. Hence, these online programs include four associate degree programs: Associate of Science in Business Administration, Associate of Science in Christian Studies, Associate of Science in Criminal Justice, and Associate of Science in General Studies.
Whether online or on-campus, you get access to the best educational experience at this university. Exceptional low tuition makes them one of the Cheapest United States Graduate Schools.
4. Strayer University
Tuition: $4,480
Strayer University enrolls over 50,000 students into its online learning programs as they study at its 76 campuses in 15 U.S. States and Washington D.C.
The university also specializes in degree programs for working adults and offers undergraduate and graduate degrees in accounting, business administration, criminal justice, education, health services administration, information technology, and public administration.
Strayer University’s academic programs involve undergraduate and graduate degree programs. Additionally, its courses are business-focused, including business administration, programming, and information technology courses.
Students in this school earn degrees in subjects such as accounting, business administration, criminal justice, education, health services administration, human resource management, information technology, and public administration.
According to research from the Brookings Institution, Strayer University students, as a whole, hold the fifth-largest amount of US student loan debt, approximately $8 billion. No matter what this school goes through, they keep up its exceptional standards.
3. Old Dominion University
Tuition: $4,370
Old Dominion University gives and develops liberal arts, science, technology, and professional programs. The university offers 73 bachelor’s degrees in different fields and 60 master’s and 35 doctoral degrees.
Their TELETECHNET distance learning program is one of the largest in the U.S. and is responsible for nearly one-third of student enrollment. Hence, ODU Distance Learning has affiliations with the Southern Regional Education Board’s Electronic Campus.
Old Dominion University has 15 departments and programs which offer degrees in the Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences. To be precise, departments comprise; Asian Studies, Art, Communications and Theater Arts, English, Foreign Languages & Literature, Gay Cultural Studies, International Studies, International Studies-Graduate Program (GPIS), Interdisciplinary Studies, Music, History, Philosophy and Religious Studies, Sociology and Criminal Justice, Political Science and Geography, and Women’s Studies.
The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACS/COC) accredited Old Dominion University. Hence, their dominance and affordable tuition make them among the Cheapest United States Graduate Schools.
2. Fort Hays State University
Tuition: $4,316
Forth Hays University is the third-largest six-state universities that have over 15,000 students comprising local and international students.
FHSU has five colleges: Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences; Business and Entrepreneurship; Education; Health and Behavioral Sciences; and Science, Technology, and Mathematics.
Altogether, they have 31 departments and offer more than 60 academic majors for undergraduates and 20 for graduate students.
Despite being an excellent place to study with a fantastic campus setting, they have incredibly low tuition. Hence, they make our list of the Cheapest United States Graduate Schools.
1. Georgia Institute of Technology
Tuition: $2,550
This is a technology-focused college in Atlanta, Ga, and one of the top research universities in the USA. With an acceptance rate of 23% and a graduation rate of 85%, it’s clear that they’re a top choice university.
With a low acceptance rate of 23% and a high graduation rate of 85%, GIT takes in a few students to make champions out of them.
Their excellent campus size also houses over 14,000 students studying different undergraduate and graduate programs. Indeed, regarding low-cost schools in the U.S., GIT takes up the top spot.
Conclusion
Most times, many people feel graduate programs are not necessary. Hence, they settle for a major. It shouldn’t be so!
A graduate degree in any subject area solidifies your mastery and expertise. It’s the edge you need in the market space.
So, whether you have enough money, you should peruse this article to make your next move. I wish you all the best!
References
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