Affordable universities in the US for international students?

Are there any universities in the US that offer affordable tuition rates for international students? I'm planning to apply from abroad, but budget is a big concern. How do these costs compare with those for domestic students?

There are several universities in the US known for being relatively affordable for international students, one of them being the City University of New York (CUNY) system. CUNY consists of multiple campuses across New York City, and the tuition fees are fairly affordable compared to many other institutions.

The University of Houston and the University of North Florida (UNF) are also notable for offering lower tuition rates.

In the case of public universities, the tuition cost for international students is generally higher than for in-state students, as the subsidized in-state tuition is often funded by state taxes which international students do not contribute to. Some schools, like the University of Minnesota, have reciprocity agreements with neighboring states to offer in-state tuition to students from those states. However, such agreements do not typically extend to international students.

In the case of private universities, the tuition is usually the same for both domestic and international students as they don't have different tiers of state residency. However, considering they're private, the tuition can be quite high.

Remember, scholarships and financial aid may also be available to international students to help offset these costs! Many universities host financial aid calculators on their websites to help students estimate their potential financial aid.

You may also wish to consider attending a community college to complete your general education requirements at a much lower cost, and then transferring to a university to finish your degree. Some states have articulation agreements in place to facilitate transfers from community colleges to state schools.

Keep in mind that while tuition is a significant expense, there are other costs associated with studying in the U.S., such as living expenses, textbooks, health insurance, and transportation, so be sure to factor these into your budget as well.