Do you want to invest in your future by gaining a college degree without racking up a mountain of student loans?
Sure, there are plenty of scholarships and grants to help you out, but there’s also a wide selection of the cheapest college majors that can offer your wallet some relief.
If you’re having trouble choosing a college major, maybe it’s time to consider any one of these cheapest degrees that won’t break the bank. 💰
1. Sociology
Basically, this major focuses on how we interact with one another as a society and what factors preserve and change that relationship, broadening our perspectives of the world we live in.
Once you pay around $700 to $1800 per credit hour for a sociology degree, you’ll enjoy a future career in social work, counseling, and non-profit work. That’s why it’s amazing to discover that it’s one of the cheapest (but meaningful) college majors out there. 🧐
What else should you consider before investing in this track? Well, not only does it provide essential insights into societal and human behavior, but it also improves your critical thinking skills, which are highly sought after in many different professions across a variety of industries. 🤝
💰 Average Cost: $7,070 (in-state) and $37,390 (out-of-state) per year
📅 Years of Study: Four years
🏛️ Top Schools: University of California-Los Angeles, University of California-Santa Barbara, California State University-Northridge
2. Business and Management
A business and management degree can turn your penny-pinching into a lucrative career while still being one of the cheapest college majors out there. 💲
For $700 to $1800 per credit hour, this degree teaches you leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills to rise in today’s competitive business world.
Not to mention, business and management graduates are in high demand across multiple fields, namely marketing, finance, human resources, and operations management. Talk about versatility!
Plus, a major like this gives you a better chance of snagging a good salary to help you pay off those pesky student loans. 🕴️
💰 Average Cost: $6,810 (in-state) and $30,000 (out-of-state) per year
📅 Years of Study: Four years
🏛️ Top Schools: University of Phoenix-Arizona, Western Governors University, Valencia College
3. Education
An education degree, paired with a big heart and desire to help the next generation, allows you to improve the lives of students and communities. 😍
Education majors can launch a career in various fields, from traditional classrooms to community organizations and nonprofits. On top of that, the sense of fulfillment to be gained rivals any high paycheck.
While salaries may not always match those of other fields, job security, paid summer breaks, and opportunities for career progression in the field of education are hard to beat.
With a growing demand of five percent for qualified educators in 2023, there’s never been a better time to pursue this major and enjoy a stable and rewarding career. 🧑🏫
💰 Average Cost: $7,158 (in-state) and $31,944 (out-of-state) per year
📅 Years of Study: Four years
🏛️ Top Schools: Western Governors University, Grand Canyon University, American College of Education
4. English
Good news for avid readers, writers, and language lovers — choosing to major in English won’t burn a hole in your savings since its average cost only ranges from $400 to $1100 per credit hour.
The average pay for English majors is roughly $52,000 per year when you graduate, and the rates just go higher with more training and experience. ✍️
Being in demand in profitable fields like publishing, journalism, advertising, education, law, and more is given.
But you can take advantage of remote work opportunities available when you freelance or find a company that allows a hybrid setting. Imagine sipping a piña colada in the tropics while working — the possibilities are endless! 🍹
💰 Average Cost: $7,321 (in-state) and $34,402 (out-of-state) per year
📅 Years of Study: Four years
🏛️ Top Schools: Southern New Hampshire University, Chattahoochee Technical College, Florida State University
5. Communications
In today’s digital age, having the right communication skills puts you at the top. As you learn how to create impact through various media platforms, you’re slated to pursue good-paying careers in advertising, public relations, journalism, and marketing. 💬
The cheap price tag ranging from $450 to $1200 is a major plus too! Since this degree generally has a shorter duration and doesn’t require any specialized equipment compared to other majors like science or engineering, you’ll get to save on overall program costs. 💰
This means you can graduate with the skills you need to succeed in the workforce without being weighed down by heavy debt. Isn’t that neat?
💰 Average Cost: $5,000 (in-state) and $25,000 (out-of-state) per year
📅 Years of Study: Four years
🏛️ Top Schools: The University of Texas at Austin, Michigan State University, The Pennsylvania State University
6. Psychology
The hefty price for a therapy session might have scared you into thinking that the same goes for a psychology education. But with an average price range of $600 to $2000 per credit hour, that isn’t the case! 😯
Compared to other medical-related courses, learning psychology can be done with minimal materials like lab equipment and textbooks. 🧠
A degree in psychology equips you to pursue rewarding careers, including social work, mental health services, human resources, and counseling.
Aside from that, it can also be a great stepping stone toward becoming a licensed therapist or psychologist — which has a projected growth of three percent between 2019 to 2029. 🥼
💰 Average Cost: $7,508 (in-state) and $33,100 (out-of-state) per year
📅 Years of Study: Four years
🏛️ Top Schools: Capella University, Liberty University, Southern New Hampshire University
7. History
History shapes the present and future, and it can do the same for you. How? Well, whose life wouldn’t change if you didn’t have a huge student debt to pay for?
Since fewer specialized materials are needed, the price tag for a degree in History becomes affordable compared to science or art majors. 📖
It also allows you to pursue a variety of careers in teaching, research work, writing, public governance, and more. 🔍
One great thing about this major is that you foster universal skills, like critical thinking and context analysis, that are invaluable to other fields. So, if you’re interested in learning the past in hopes of building a better future, then a history major is worth considering. 📚
💰 Average Cost: $7,146 (in-state) and $34,290 (out-of-state) per year
📅 Years of Study: Four years
🏛️ Top Schools: Southern New Hampshire University, American Public University System, University of California-Los Angeles
8. Political Science
Desiring to change the world starts with understanding how political systems and institutions shape our society — something you can find in a political science degree. 🤔
Affordability isn’t an issue since political science programs are highly available in a lot of colleges and universities, which results in lower tuition rates from $350 to $1300 per credit hour.
Not only that but there are also online programs that are typically less expensive than traditional on-campus programs. 🖥️
As one of the cheapest college majors, it will put you on track to pursue a variety of careers, including law, public service, journalism, and campaigning. ⚖️
If you’re ready to join the ranks of passionate and informed changemakers, then a degree in political science is calling your name!
💰 Average Cost: $7,283 (in-state) and $36,844 (out-of-state) per year
📅 Years of Study: Four years
🏛️ Top Schools: University of California-Los Angeles, University of California-Berkeley, George Washington University
9. Foreign Language
Foreign language offers a plethora of once-in-a-lifetime opportunities for students to explore diverse cultures, make connections with people, and gain new perspectives. 🗣️
And with the growing importance of globalization in our world, language skills are becoming more valuable than ever in the job market. 🌎
So, what does studying a foreign language look like? Imagine immersing yourself in diverse languages and cultures while gaining valuable language skills – all that for only $320 to $1000 per credit hour!
Whether you’re interested in French, Spanish, Japanese, or any other language, there’s a program out there to unleash your inner polyglot and soak up new languages like a pro. 💯
💰 Average Cost: $7,975 (in-state) and $40,551 (out-of-state) per year
📅 Years of Study: Four years
🏛️ Top Schools: University of Southern Mississippi, Middlebury College, University of Georgia
10. Philosophy
Philosophy is one of the cheapest college majors because you don’t need expensive laboratory equipment or specialized materials. But don’t let that fool you into thinking it’s easy or not as important. 🤔
From delving into the true meaning of life to challenging the thought of free will — philosophy challenges you to think deeply about fundamental questions and problems that have puzzled humans for centuries.
You’ll read and discuss classic texts, analyze arguments, develop critical thinking skills, and expand your intellectual horizons. 🤯
And the best part? Since philosophy programs often require fewer credit hours and have shorter completion times, students can save some serious cash on tuition. 🧑🏫
💰 Average cost: $7,577 (in-state) and $39,923 (out-of-state) per year
📅 Years of study: Four years
🏛️ Top schools: University of California-Santa Barbara, University of California-Los Angeles, Boston College
With the right combination of determination, hard work, and smart planning, you can achieve both personal fulfillment and financial stability through an affordable college major — you’ve got this! 💪
While affordability is an important consideration, it’s equally important to choose a major that aligns with your passions and career goals.
Cheapest College Majors in the US: Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cheapest college major?
English, History, Communications, and Political Science degrees can be less expensive because of lower tuition costs, shorter program lengths, and fewer credit hours required.
However, the cost of a college education can vary depending on the location of the college or university, its available financial aid, and other important factors.
What is the average cost of college in the US?
The average cost of education in the US is $35,551 annually per student, including books and daily living costs.
How can I study with less money in the US?
It’s important to be mindful when it comes to budgeting your education in the US — search and take advantage of the many resources available.
You can reduce the cost of studying by applying for scholarships or student loans, considering attending a less expensive institution like an online university or community college, and working side hustles. There are also online courses or programs that are generally cheaper than traditional on-campus programs, and they allow you to study from anywhere in the world.
Is the US cheap for international students?
On average, international students should expect to pay anything between $8,000 to $55,000 per academic year to attend college in the US.
The cost of attendance for international students largely depends on several factors, including variables of the chosen college, the type of degree, the location, housing and meals, and such.
What are the most in-demand degrees?
Based on an employment projections report, the healthcare and social assistance sector will create the most jobs in the next ten years. Since more and more people over 65 years old need healthcare services, there will be a greater need for healthcare workers who specialize in taking care of the elderly and working in a team-based healthcare system.
Students can also explore other degrees in high demand, including computer science, information technology, finance, and cybersecurity.
Can I get a job in the US without a college degree?
According to a Harvard Business Review article in 2021, there has been a shift in the job market dynamics where companies are facing a scarcity of talent and are struggling to attract new employees.
In response, businesses are reevaluating their hiring practices by removing the college degree requirement, which has proven to be an effective strategy in bringing in new talent. Except for specific professions such as doctor, lawyer, architect, engineer, pharmacist, veterinarian, and accountant, a college degree is not usually a strict requirement for job applications.
It’s becoming increasingly apparent that not having a college degree should not serve as a hindrance to securing good employment opportunities in the US, especially if you have enough relevant work experience.
