Studying at a college in the United States is a dream for lots of students around the world, but for many, the high costs associated with attending American institutions is a barrier to fulfilling that dream. However, there are some colleges across the country that offer affordable tuition rates to international students.
The U.S. News and World Report recently released a list of 15 Affordable Colleges for International Students, most of which are located in the north or the midwestern parts of the country.
U.S. News compiled the list by surveying 976 schools that reported international student tuition in an annual survey. Most of the colleges charged annual tuition rates ranging between $7,630 to $0.
The U.S. Merchant Marine Academy ranked number one for being the most affordable college in the U.S. for international students. The Service academy, located in New York, trains officers for the U.S. Merchant Marines, branches of the military, and the transportation industry. It costs $0 for foreign students to attend since the federal government covers tuition in exchange for a service obligation. As of fall 2017, the academy had nine international students and a 100 percent six year international student graduation rate.
Eastern New Mexico University ranked second among the top affordable schools, with an annual tuition rate of $3,661 for international students. The school has had a 50 percent international student graduation rate over the last six years.
Missouri-based Harris-Stowe State University ranked third for offering an annual tuition rate of $4,776 to international students. 21 international students were enrolled in the school in the fall of 2017.
Lately, higher education institutions across the country have witnessed a decline in the enrollment numbers of international students. The 2018 Open Doors Report on International Educational Exchange saw a decline in the enrollment of international students for the third consecutive year.
Out of 540 institutions surveyed for the report, 49 percent reported a decline in new international student enrollment, 44 percent reported an increase, while enrollment at 7 percent of institutions remained the same.
Reports attribute this declining enrollment to various factors, including delays and denials of visas, changing preferences of international students, and the present political and social climate in the U.S.
The other 12 colleges that ranked among the top 15 affordable colleges were Minot State University, Brigham Young University, Central State University, Bridgewater State University, Fitchburg State University, Framingham State University, Westfield State University, Worcester State University, Minnesota State University, Southwest Minnesota State University, Bemidji State University and Henderson State University.
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