15 Cheapest Universities in Alabama for International Students

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In Alabama, there are a lot of affordable universities that you can find. Enrolling in these schools will help you fulfill your dream of studying in United States 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 Alabama, you’ll have a lot of school options, as they are home to 27 universities. But if you’re looking for cheap universities in Alabama, make sure to read more!

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

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

University Annual Bachelor’s International Tuition % Cheaper than Average*
Selma University 4,800 USD 77%
Oakwood University 9,487 USD 54%
Auburn University at Montgomery 9,806 USD - 21,000 USD 52%
Stillman College 10,100 USD 51%
Miles College 11,300 USD 45%
University of Mobile 12,000 USD 42%
Talladega College 12,200 USD 41%
Athens State University 14,500 USD 30%
United States Sports Academy 14,600 USD 29%
Alabama Agricultural and Mechanical University 17,300 USD 16%
University of West Alabama 18,200 USD 11%
Troy University 18,700 USD 9%
Tuskegee University 19,600 USD 5%
Alabama State University 20,000 USD 3%
Jacksonville State University 20,000 USD 3%

* Average Bachelor’s International Tuition is 20,500 USD for universities in Alabama.

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1. Selma University

Established in 1878, Selma University has played a vital role in making education more accessible to the black community in Selma, Alabama. Through its educational and research programs, the university strives to produce future leaders who will serve the community and become catalysts for positive change. Selma University also offers scholarships and financial aid opportunities to help students and their families finance their education.

2. Oakwood University

Oakwood University is a private historically black university in Huntsville, Alabama. It is currently operated by the Seventh-day Adventist Church. The following departments at the university offer undergraduate and graduate degrees: School of Arts and Sciences, School of Business and Information Systems, School of Education and Social Sciences, School of Nursing and Health Professions, and School of Theology.

3. Auburn University at Montgomery

Auburn University at Montgomery is a member of the Auburn University system. It is composed of five colleges for business, education, liberal arts, social sciences, nursing, health sciences, and sciences. Along with other institutions, AUM is ranked 70th among southern regional universities by US News. Class size is optimal for attentive and personalized education, with less than 20 students per class.

4. Stillman College

Stillman College is a private institution for higher education offering various liberal arts programs. Founded in 1876, it is among the 105 Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) in the United States and is dedicated to producing intellectual and socially responsible professionals who will serve the greater community. To this day, Stillman College continues to partner with other institutions in carrying out activities that promote social equality and justice.

5. Miles College

Miles College is a private educational institution in Fairfield, Alabama, with a rich history and strong commitment to fighting social injustice and racial discrimination since its establishment in 1898. This historically black liberal arts college believes in education as instrumental to social and economic development. In addition to its excellent undergraduate degrees, the college also carries out different activities and programs tailored to enhance its students’ skills in technology, leadership, and entrepreneurship.

6. University of Mobile

The University of Mobile is a Christ-centered higher education institution founded in 1952. It is located in Mobile, Alabama, USA. The university offers over 75 academic programs which integrate faith and learning. Small class sizes are maintained at the University of Mobile, allowing the faculty to give ample attention and mentoring to each student.

7. Talladega College

Talladega College is a private college located in Talladega, Alabama. It is the state’s oldest historically black private college. The mission of the college is to prepare its graduates for global citizenship through academic achievement, moral values, community service, and career development. It is regarded as one of the best regional colleges in the country, with championship-winning athletic teams, and an acclaimed choir.

8. Athens State University

Athens State University started its institutional task in 1822 as an undersized female academy built on the pursuits of a few and the aspirations of many. The university promotes the best interests of its students and the State of Alabama via teaching, service, research, and other creative actions to empower students to contribute to their professional, civic, educational, and economic ambitions.

9. United States Sports Academy

The United States Sports Academy was launched in 1972 and was the only of its kind in the United States. The United States Sports Academy offers bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees with an intensive curriculum in order to enhance the students’ critical thinking and skills. Via sports-focused instruction, support of research, and collaboration with professional groups like the National Federation of State High School Associations, the academy has shown how to meet sports professionals’ academic demands.

10. Alabama Agricultural and Mechanical University

Alabama Agricultural and Mechanical University, or Alabama A&M University, is a historically black college and university as well as a land-grant institution providing teaching, research, and public service. The university offers undergraduate and graduate degrees as well as certificates and has contributed to the workforce on local, national, and international stages. As a nationally recognized institution, the university is divided into four colleges: the College of Agricultural, Life and Natural Sciences, College of Engineering, Technology and Physical Sciences, College of Education, Humanities and Behavioral Sciences, and College of Business and Public Affairs.

11. University of West Alabama

The University of West Alabama is a public university in Livingston, Alabama. It was established in 1835 as a church-sponsored school for young women. Through its academic colleges, UWA offers more than 60 undergraduate programs and 10 graduate programs.

12. Troy University

Troy University was initially founded as a college for training teachers in the State, was named Troy State University in 1967, and finally, Troy University in 2004. Beginning August 2006, all Troy campuses-Dothan, Phenix, Troy, and Montgomery-were unified under one accreditation. The university is also providing tuition assistance for employees seeking education in the programs offered in the university either online or in-campus.

13. Tuskegee University

Tuskegee University is a land-grant university appointed by the National Park Service as the Tuskegee Institute National Historic Site. It is an independent and state-related university that is co-educational and is racially, ethnically, and religiously diverse. The university consists of five colleges and three schools offering both undergraduate and graduate studies.

14. Alabama State University

Founded in 1867 and sitting in the capital city of Alabama, the Alabama State University has a history grounded in grit that is certainly proven by still being a relevant and competent school in the United States. It was established by former slaves and is one of the leading universities in housing African American students and employees. Today, the university has 63 programs in undergraduate and graduate studies as well as quality buildings, equipment, and services that help create the perfect environment for learning. Its rich history has certainly created a foothold on the university’s reputation, but it does not piggyback off the past and still rightfully holds the prestige it has today.

15. Jacksonville State University

Jacksonville State University provides students with the knowledge and skills they need in their chosen programs. It enables students to experience actual industry work since the university has vast connections with multiple institutions. It aims to incorporate practical learning in its curriculum to provide real-life training to the students who trust Jacksonville State University.

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

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

University Annual Master's International Tuition % Cheaper than Average*
Selma University 4,800 USD 70%
Athens State University 5,220 USD 68%
Faulkner University 5,700 USD - 9,000 USD 65%
Spring Hill College 5,985 USD - 8,100 USD 63%
University of Mobile 6,600 USD - 20,200 USD 59%
Auburn University at Montgomery 8,578 USD - 18,400 USD 47%
Talladega College 9,750 USD 39%
Oakwood University 10,300 USD 36%
United States Sports Academy 10,800 USD 33%
University of North Alabama 11,100 USD 31%
University of West Alabama 11,200 USD 31%
Jacksonville State University 12,300 USD 23%
Alabama Agricultural and Mechanical University 12,600 USD 21%
Samford University 13,900 USD - 38,000 USD 14%
University of South Alabama 14,100 USD - 17,200 USD 12%

* Average Master's International Tuition is 16,000 USD for universities in Alabama.

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1. Selma University

Established in 1878, Selma University has played a vital role in making education more accessible to the black community in Selma, Alabama. Through its educational and research programs, the university strives to produce future leaders who will serve the community and become catalysts for positive change. Selma University also offers scholarships and financial aid opportunities to help students and their families finance their education.

If you're looking to save the most on your graduate studies abroad, Selma University should be at the top of your list. International students here pay only 4,800 USD annually for their master's degree.

2. Athens State University

One of the universities you should definitely check out for practical reasons is Athens State University. Here, you can finish your master's degree with minimal stress on your finances. After all, the tuition rate for graduate studies at Athens State University is 5,220 USD.

Athens State University started its institutional task in 1822 as an undersized female academy built on the pursuits of a few and the aspirations of many. The university promotes the best interests of its students and the State of Alabama via teaching, service, research, and other creative actions to empower students to contribute to their professional, civic, educational, and economic ambitions.

3. Faulkner University

Faulkner University is a private Christian university in Montgomery, Alabama. It was founded in 1942 as Montgomery Bible School then later changed to Alabama Christian College. Other campuses of the university can be found in Mobile, Birmingham, and Hunstville.

The tuition fee at Faulkner University for incoming international master’s students is 5,700 USD to 9,000 USD. With its cheap rates, you can guarantee you’ll get a quality education without breaking the bank!

4. Spring Hill College

Another affordable university to consider in Alabama is Spring Hill College.

With over 50 percent of its students outside of Alabama, Spring Hill College is a diverse community filled with students of all sex, race, religion, ethnicity, and political beliefs. Founded in 1830 and located in Mobile, Alabama, the college has served quality education for over 200 years. Its history of teaching students and employing educators has continued to grow along with its expanding programs. Currently, 52 majors are offered by the school combined with over 100 employees that effectively teach these programs. NCAA Division II teams are also honed by the college, providing exemplar training on both the mind and body of their students.

The tuition fee in Spring Hill College for master’s program for foreign students starts from 5,985 USD.

5. University of Mobile

Aside from its outstanding quality of education, University of Mobile has some of the lowest tuition fee prices for foreign students who are planning to take a master's degree here. International master's students only pay as low as 6,600 USD yearly.

The University of Mobile is a Christ-centered higher education institution founded in 1952. It is located in Mobile, Alabama, USA. The university offers over 75 academic programs which integrate faith and learning. Small class sizes are maintained at the University of Mobile, allowing the faculty to give ample attention and mentoring to each student.

6. Auburn University at Montgomery

Auburn University at Montgomery is a member of the Auburn University system. It is composed of five colleges for business, education, liberal arts, social sciences, nursing, health sciences, and sciences. Along with other institutions, AUM is ranked 70th among southern regional universities by US News. Class size is optimal for attentive and personalized education, with less than 20 students per class.

7. Talladega College

Talladega College is a private college located in Talladega, Alabama. It is the state’s oldest historically black private college. The mission of the college is to prepare its graduates for global citizenship through academic achievement, moral values, community service, and career development. It is regarded as one of the best regional colleges in the country, with championship-winning athletic teams, and an acclaimed choir.

8. Oakwood University

Oakwood University is a private historically black university in Huntsville, Alabama. It is currently operated by the Seventh-day Adventist Church. The following departments at the university offer undergraduate and graduate degrees: School of Arts and Sciences, School of Business and Information Systems, School of Education and Social Sciences, School of Nursing and Health Professions, and School of Theology.

9. United States Sports Academy

The United States Sports Academy was launched in 1972 and was the only of its kind in the United States. The United States Sports Academy offers bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees with an intensive curriculum in order to enhance the students’ critical thinking and skills. Via sports-focused instruction, support of research, and collaboration with professional groups like the National Federation of State High School Associations, the academy has shown how to meet sports professionals’ academic demands.

10. University of North Alabama

The University of North Alabama is considered the state’s oldest public university. It aims to create a better society through training intellectual individuals and giving them a better future. The university cooperates with numerous international industry leaders to intensify the students’ research experience.

11. University of West Alabama

The University of West Alabama is a public university in Livingston, Alabama. It was established in 1835 as a church-sponsored school for young women. Through its academic colleges, UWA offers more than 60 undergraduate programs and 10 graduate programs.

12. Jacksonville State University

Jacksonville State University provides students with the knowledge and skills they need in their chosen programs. It enables students to experience actual industry work since the university has vast connections with multiple institutions. It aims to incorporate practical learning in its curriculum to provide real-life training to the students who trust Jacksonville State University.

13. Alabama Agricultural and Mechanical University

Alabama Agricultural and Mechanical University, or Alabama A&M University, is a historically black college and university as well as a land-grant institution providing teaching, research, and public service. The university offers undergraduate and graduate degrees as well as certificates and has contributed to the workforce on local, national, and international stages. As a nationally recognized institution, the university is divided into four colleges: the College of Agricultural, Life and Natural Sciences, College of Engineering, Technology and Physical Sciences, College of Education, Humanities and Behavioral Sciences, and College of Business and Public Affairs.

14. Samford University

Samford University is a nationally recognized Christian institution in the state of Alabama. This private university is known for its academic excellence. It has received national and regional awards and achievements for years. To this day, the university is in constant pursuit of becoming one of the leading universities in the US. It continuously improves the quality of education and develops innovative and future-oriented academic programs.

15. University of South Alabama

The University of South Alabama is a very active research university that seeks to solve the most pressing societal problems. The university greatly interacts and collaborates with other institutions when it comes to research projects, allowing students to get out of their own comfort zones. For over 50 years, the University of South Alabama has amazingly sustained its reputation for providing excellent academic training.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Applying to cheap universities in Alabama 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 United States for a more comprehensive guide!

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

International students can study a variety of programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels in Alabama. For example, one of the best affordable schools in Alabama is the Alabama Agricultural and Mechanical University, which offers Finance, Plant Biotechnology, and Forestry to students seeking a bachelor’s degree. At the master’s level, the Alabama Agricultural and Mechanical University offers Plant and Soil Science, Urban and Regional Planning, and Family and Consumer Sciences.

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 Alabama, it can be tough to know where to start looking.

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

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