8 Cheapest Universities in Mexico for International Students

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In Mexico, there are a lot of affordable universities that you can find. Enrolling in these schools will help you fulfill your dream of studying in Mexico without paying a lot. These institutions also provide well-rounded academic programs and curriculums, allowing students to earn a degree with less burden on their pockets.

Now, if you’re planning to study in Mexico, you’ll have a lot of school options, as they are home to 189 universities. But if you’re looking for cheap universities in Mexico, make sure to read more!

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Cheap Bachelor's Colleges and Universities in Mexico for International Students

Here is the list of affordable institutions in Mexico ordered by their tuition fee for international bachelor's students.

University Annual Bachelor’s International Tuition % Cheaper than Average*
CETYS University 38,400 MXN - 39,100 MXN 78%
Technological University of Chihuahua 53,700 MXN - 76,100 MXN 68%
Universidad de las Americas Puebla 60,000 MXN 65%
Universidad Anáhuac México 104,400 MXN 38%
Universidad de Monterrey 135,600 MXN - 139,700 MXN 19%
Universidad Popular Autonoma del Estado de Puebla A.C. (UPAEP) 144,300 MXN 14%
University of the Northeast 178,200 MXN -6%
Tecnologico de Monterrey 624,400 MXN -273%

* Average Bachelor’s International Tuition is 167,400 MXN for universities in Mexico.

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1. CETYS University

With three campuses in the Baja California region of Mexico, CETYS University is a private university founded in 1961. It offers high school, undergraduate, and graduate education to local and foreign students. Eligible students can apply for different scholarships in sports, academics, or with health issues. Alumni and Siblings discounts are also present in the university.

2. Technological University of Chihuahua

The Technological University of Chihuahua is a public university in Chihuahua, Mexico. It was founded in 2000 as a decentralized government public organization. It has three academic units situated in the states of Cuauhtémoc, Ojinaga, and Chihuahua. The university provides undergraduate and postgraduate programs to meet the needs and demands of various sectors of society.

3. Universidad de las Americas Puebla

Universidad de las Americas Puebla, more known by its acronym, UDLAP, is a prominent institution in Mexico and Latin America. It is renowned for its business, humanities, arts, and sciences programs. Moreover, the university’s location, Cholula City, immerses its students in incredible and unique culture, history, and tradition, as it is the oldest in Latin America. This, along with the university’s appreciation of other fields beyond academics, ensures students receive a holistic learning experience at UDLAP.

4. Universidad Anáhuac México

Universidad Anáhuac México is a prestigious private university founded in 1964 and part of the Anáhuac Universities Network, offering over 45 bachelor’s degrees, 50+ master’s programs, and numerous doctoral and certificate courses across its two main campuses in Mexico City and Huixquilucan. Grounded in Catholic humanistic values, it emphasizes leadership, social responsibility, innovation, and global perspectives to prepare students for both professional success and positive societal impact.

5. Universidad de Monterrey

Universidad de Monterrey is considered one of the most outstanding universities in Mexico. It provides advanced and interdisciplinary degree programs from various academic fields at the undergraduate and graduate levels. This global university also offers courses specifically designed for international students ranging from architecture to social sciences. The university’s top priority is to educate and train students to become ethically responsible professionals who will become leaders and experts in their chosen careers.

6. Universidad Popular Autonoma del Estado de Puebla A.C. (UPAEP)

The Universidad Popular Autónoma del Estado de Puebla A.C. is a higher-degree institution in Puebla, Mexico. It is more known by its acronym: UPAEP. This university was established in 1973 based on the need for a private university in the region, from which students greatly benefit because the university has numerous international cooperations with universities and education institutions that allow for exchange programs.

7. University of the Northeast

The University of the Northeast, or Universidad del Noreste, was established in 1970 as a health sciences college and among the first universities to offer programs in chemical-biological sciences. Presently, a diverse range of study areas is being offered at the university, including tourism, management, and international trade. International mobility and exchange programs are also significant elements in its students’ academic lives. 

8. Tecnologico de Monterrey

Tecnológico de Monterrey translates, in English, to Monterrey Institute of Technology. However, the institute also has a far longer official name: Instituto Tecnológico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey. Whichever moniker you know it by, the reputation remains the same – it is the most prestigious private university in Mexico, and the superior quality of its education is applied not just to the field of technology but also to other disciplines like the arts and humanities. Such is the institute’s renown that it grew to 26 campuses across the country.

Cheap Master's Colleges and Universities in Mexico for International Students

Here is the list of affordable institutions in Mexico ordered by their tuition fee for international master's students.

1. CETYS University

With three campuses in the Baja California region of Mexico, CETYS University is a private university founded in 1961. It offers high school, undergraduate, and graduate education to local and foreign students. Eligible students can apply for different scholarships in sports, academics, or with health issues. Alumni and Siblings discounts are also present in the university.

If you're looking to save the most on your graduate studies abroad, CETYS University should be at the top of your list. International students here pay only 15,800 MXN to 26,000 MXN annually for their master's degree.

2. Universidad de las Americas Puebla

One of the universities you should definitely check out for practical reasons is Universidad de las Americas Puebla. Here, you can finish your master's degree with minimal stress on your finances. After all, the tuition rate for graduate studies at Universidad de las Americas Puebla is 36,450 MXN to 43,740 MXN.

Universidad de las Americas Puebla, more known by its acronym, UDLAP, is a prominent institution in Mexico and Latin America. It is renowned for its business, humanities, arts, and sciences programs. Moreover, the university’s location, Cholula City, immerses its students in incredible and unique culture, history, and tradition, as it is the oldest in Latin America. This, along with the university’s appreciation of other fields beyond academics, ensures students receive a holistic learning experience at UDLAP.

3. Universidad Popular Autonoma del Estado de Puebla A.C. (UPAEP)

The Universidad Popular Autónoma del Estado de Puebla A.C. is a higher-degree institution in Puebla, Mexico. It is more known by its acronym: UPAEP. This university was established in 1973 based on the need for a private university in the region, from which students greatly benefit because the university has numerous international cooperations with universities and education institutions that allow for exchange programs.

The tuition fee at Universidad Popular Autonoma del Estado de Puebla A.C. (UPAEP) for incoming international master’s students is 107,192 MXN to 309,017 MXN. With its cheap rates, you can guarantee you’ll get a quality education without breaking the bank!

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How do I get admission to affordable universities in Mexico?

Applying to cheap universities in Mexico requires you to complete different requirements depending on your degree and chosen university. These usually include admission forms, language proficiency scores, and a visa. Check out our full guide to studying in Mexico for a more comprehensive guide!

2. What can I study at Best affordable universities in Mexico?

International students can study a variety of programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels in Mexico. For example, one of the best affordable schools in Mexico is the CETYS University, which offers Electronic Cybernetics Engineering , Computer Science Engineering, and Digital Graphic Design Engineering to students seeking a bachelor’s degree. At the master’s level, the CETYS University offers Business and Administration, Law, and Education.

It's important to take a look at all your options when selecting where to attend post-secondary school. With so many different types of schools, degrees, and universities in Mexico, it can be tough to know where to start looking.

So, make sure to explore the best public universities in Mexico as well if you're looking for affordable education!

We hope that this article on affordable institutions in Mexico for international students was helpful!