15 Free and Cheap Universities in India for International Students

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In India, there are a lot of affordable universities that you can find. Enrolling in these schools will help you fulfill your dream of studying in India 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 India, you’ll have a lot of school options, as they are home to 386 universities. But if you’re looking for cheap universities in India, make sure to read more!

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

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

University Annual Bachelor’s International Tuition % Cheaper than Average*
Malaviya National Institute of Technology, Jaipur 0 INR - 125,000 INR 100%
Dr. B R Ambedkar National Institute of Technology Jalandhar 0 INR - 125,000 INR 100%
National Institute of Food Technology Entrepreneurship and Management 0 INR - 41,700 INR 100%
National Institute of Technology, Srinagar 0 INR - 125,000 INR 100%
Indian Institute of Technology Jodhpur 0 INR - 200,000 INR 100%
Indira Gandhi National Tribal University 820 INR - 3,000 INR 100%
Visva Bharati 840 INR - 5,000 INR 100%
Hemwati Nandan Bahuguna Garhwal University 900 INR - 36,000 INR 100%
Central University of Haryana 1,000 INR - 36,000 INR 100%
Alagappa University 1,000 INR - 6,000 INR 100%
University of Calicut 1,050 INR - 89,700 INR 100%
Ranchi University 1,200 INR - 1,199 INR 100%
Dayalbagh Educational Institute 1,200 INR - 8,250 INR 100%
University of Burdwan 1,200 INR - 15,000 INR 100%
Pandit Ravishankar Shukla University 1,740 INR - 25,000 INR 99%

* Average Bachelor’s International Tuition is 158,000 INR for universities in India.

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1. Malaviya National Institute of Technology, Jaipur

Malaviya National Institute of Technology, Jaipur is an advanced academic institution that focuses on technological education. It is equipped with research facilities and training centers to meet the current standards of various industries. The institute’s goal is to produce hundreds of graduates every year that are competent and can fully satisfy the demands of the science field.

2. Dr. B R Ambedkar National Institute of Technology Jalandhar

Dr. B R Ambedkar National Institute of Technology Jalandhar (NITJ) is a technical university that is nationally recognized for its academic excellence. The university plays a vital role in cultivating capable engineers and professionals who will potentially contribute to the country’s socio-economic development. NITJ is acknowledged as one of the top engineering schools in India.

3. National Institute of Food Technology Entrepreneurship and Management

The National Institute of Food Technology Entrepreneurship and Management is one of the most technologically adapted universities in the region of Sonipat, India. This university is mostly adapted to postgraduate studies that involve a mixture of technology and science, but it also offers a bachelor’s degree in the field of food technology management.

4. National Institute of Technology, Srinagar

National Institute of Technology, Srinagar is a government-sponsored university founded in 1960. It has 12 departments that handle Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctoral degree programs. Students afford top-notch facilities like the Computer Services Center, Water Resources Management Center, and Central Research Facility. There are also guest houses and hostels for students who need a place to stay.

5. Indian Institute of Technology Jodhpur

Indian Institute of Technology Jodhpur is an active research institution that aims to foster innovation among 21st-century learners. The institute is complete with the equipment and tools needed to improve students’ learning process and enable them to satisfy their academic pursuits. Through rigorous training and intense course assessments, the institute was able to maintain its excellent reputation of being one of the top producers of professionals in the science and technology field.

6. Indira Gandhi National Tribal University

Indira Gandhi National Tribal University has a rich cultural heritage in terms of arts and crafts. The university has developed over the years to become a higher educational institution that contributes to globalization. With advanced technology, it seeks to become an avenue for research and high-quality education, especially for the tribal population of India.

7. Visva Bharati

Visva Bharati was founded in 1921 in Santiniketan, India. This university has an over 100-year-old educational history and is recognized in the region for providing great quality undergraduate and postgraduate studies in the fields of arts and science. The aim for the future is to establish new facilities and develop a new system that can make their operations even better.

8. Hemwati Nandan Bahuguna Garhwal University

Hemwati Nandan Bahuguna Garhwal University was established in 1971 with the intention of making high-quality education accessible to the masses. It offers academic programs in a wide range of fields including study areas that are relevant to its location, such as forestry, horticulture, and environmental studies. To this day, the university continues to exert several efforts to contribute to the region’s educational development. 

9. Central University of Haryana

The Central University of Haryana is a public university in Mahendragarh, Haryana, India. It was established in 2009 by the Central Universities Act. The university offers undergraduate and postgraduate degree programs through 11 schools in various fields of study, including arts, humanities, social sciences, medicine, communication, natural sciences, engineering, and technology.

10. Alagappa University

Alagappa University is driven by its goal of fostering the development and dissemination of knowledge in different branches of learning. It is a comprehensive university that provides training in over 100 courses, attracting students worldwide because of its excellence and competency in higher education. Since its establishment, the university has already been one of the leading contributors to the country’s research activities.

11. University of Calicut

The University of Calicut was one of the first higher education institutions in the state of Kerala and was established to meet the region’s educational needs. It strives to guarantee the prosperity of its students so they can contribute to the growth of society. It has state-of-the-art facilities both for academic and non-academic activities. These include a botanical garden, an observatory, a manuscript repository, and various research institutes, like the center for tribal empowerment.

12. Ranchi University

Ranchi University is a public state university in Ranchi, Jharkhand, India, that was established in 1960 by the Bihar legislature. The university has three faculties that offer undergraduate and postgraduate degree programs: the Faculty of Science, the Faculty of Humanities, and the Faculty of Social Sciences and Commerce. The liberal arts courses are offered on the main campus, while professional other degree courses are provided by affiliated colleges and institutions.

13. Dayalbagh Educational Institute

The Dayalbagh Educational Institute is one of the oldest educational institutes in Agra, India. This university began its educational path in 1917 when it first opened as a primary school that offered educational values to the nearby region, and it developed into a university that offers all the possible educational levels. This university is consistently working to expand the list of courses that it offers so that it can attract a larger number of talented future prospects.

14. University of Burdwan

The University of Burdwan was established in 1960 in Bardhaman, India. This university has an established education history and it offers courses mainly in the fields of education and philosophy. As it continues to grow, the university aims to establish an international administrative staff that can elevate the university’s name and reputation.

15. Pandit Ravishankar Shukla University

Pandit Ravishankar Shukla University is a public university in India that is NAAC accredited. Students may enroll in Post-Doctoral, Doctoral, Post-Graduate, Under-Graduate, and Diploma programs. These programs are handled in 29 departments, each filled with top-notch faculty members. The university also has affiliated colleges all around India. The main campus and its affiliate colleges have Grievance Committees to aid student welfare.

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

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

University Annual Master's International Tuition % Cheaper than Average*
National Institute of Technology, Raipur 0 INR - 70,000 INR 100%
National Institute of Food Technology Entrepreneurship and Management 0 INR - 49,500 INR 100%
Indian Veterinary Research Institute 400 INR - 10,400 INR 100%
Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Marathwada University 750 INR - 79,900 INR 100%
Hemwati Nandan Bahuguna Garhwal University 1,000 INR - 30,000 INR 100%
Sant Gadge Baba Amravati University 1,000 INR - 10,000 INR 100%
Alagappa University 1,000 INR - 11,000 INR 100%
Central University of Haryana 1,000 INR - 26,000 INR 100%
University of Kalyani 1,200 INR - 40,000 INR 99%
University of Burdwan 1,200 INR - 20,000 INR 99%
Visva Bharati 1,200 INR - 5,000 INR 99%
University of North Bengal 1,440 INR - 30,000 INR 99%
Ranchi University 1,500 INR 99%
University of Allahabad 1,610 INR - 89,600 INR 99%
Pandit Ravishankar Shukla University 1,740 INR - 110,000 INR 99%

* Average Master's International Tuition is 118,800 INR for universities in India.

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1. National Institute of Technology, Raipur

The National Institute of Technology, Raipur is a public university located in Raipur, India. It was established in 1956 and is best known for its programs in engineering. This university is a collaborative institution that cooperates with many different universities in order to provide a better educational experience for local and international students.

If you're looking to save the most on your graduate studies abroad, National Institute of Technology, Raipur should be at the top of your list. International students here pay only 0 INR to 70,000 INR annually for their master's degree.

2. National Institute of Food Technology Entrepreneurship and Management

One of the universities you should definitely check out for practical reasons is National Institute of Food Technology Entrepreneurship and Management. Here, you can finish your master's degree with minimal stress on your finances. After all, the tuition rate for graduate studies at National Institute of Food Technology Entrepreneurship and Management is 0 INR to 49,500 INR.

The National Institute of Food Technology Entrepreneurship and Management is one of the most technologically adapted universities in the region of Sonipat, India. This university is mostly adapted to postgraduate studies that involve a mixture of technology and science, but it also offers a bachelor’s degree in the field of food technology management.

3. Indian Veterinary Research Institute

Indian Veterinary Research Institute is primarily dedicated to livestock and related research. Besides research, it provides quality education and training at the undergraduate, master’s, and Ph.D. levels. The courses available are focused on the veterinary sciences and related fields. Besides full-fledged degree programs, you may also pursue relatively short-term diploma courses. There are two IVRI campuses: Mukteswar and Bengaluru. Mukteswar is considered the institute’s mother campus.

The tuition fee at Indian Veterinary Research Institute for incoming international master’s students is 400 INR to 10,400 INR. With its cheap rates, you can guarantee you’ll get a quality education without breaking the bank!

4. Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Marathwada University

Another affordable university to consider in India is Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Marathwada University.

The father of the Indian constitution has a university as its namesake: Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Marathwada University. This renowned public institution provides various degree-granting and diploma courses for undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctorate students through its seven schools. Besides the schools, it’s also connected with other entities, including a research institute, study centers, affiliated colleges, and research centers. All these and more make the university abound with opportunities.

The tuition fee in Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Marathwada University for master’s program for foreign students starts from 750 INR.

5. Hemwati Nandan Bahuguna Garhwal University

Aside from its outstanding quality of education, Hemwati Nandan Bahuguna Garhwal University 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 1,000 INR yearly.

Hemwati Nandan Bahuguna Garhwal University was established in 1971 with the intention of making high-quality education accessible to the masses. It offers academic programs in a wide range of fields including study areas that are relevant to its location, such as forestry, horticulture, and environmental studies. To this day, the university continues to exert several efforts to contribute to the region’s educational development. 

6. Sant Gadge Baba Amravati University

Sant Gadge Baba Amravati University is committed to imparting knowledge and wisdom to the young learners of India. Since its establishment, the university has been the epitome of an excellent higher teaching process and effective practical education. It maintains a student-centered and lively community where everyone experiences multi-faceted development and is given countless opportunities to achieve their career ambitions.

7. Alagappa University

Alagappa University is driven by its goal of fostering the development and dissemination of knowledge in different branches of learning. It is a comprehensive university that provides training in over 100 courses, attracting students worldwide because of its excellence and competency in higher education. Since its establishment, the university has already been one of the leading contributors to the country’s research activities.

8. Central University of Haryana

The Central University of Haryana is a public university in Mahendragarh, Haryana, India. It was established in 2009 by the Central Universities Act. The university offers undergraduate and postgraduate degree programs through 11 schools in various fields of study, including arts, humanities, social sciences, medicine, communication, natural sciences, engineering, and technology.

9. University of Kalyani

Established in 1960, the University of Kalyani is a well-known public higher education school in West Bengal. It offers numerous top-rated educational programs at bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral levels. It provides study programs in various fields of study, such as education, sciences, engineering, arts, and commerce. Moreover, the university has long-term partnerships with several Indian universities to ensure that the best education is provided to its students.

10. University of Burdwan

The University of Burdwan was established in 1960 in Bardhaman, India. This university has an established education history and it offers courses mainly in the fields of education and philosophy. As it continues to grow, the university aims to establish an international administrative staff that can elevate the university’s name and reputation.

11. Visva Bharati

Visva Bharati was founded in 1921 in Santiniketan, India. This university has an over 100-year-old educational history and is recognized in the region for providing great quality undergraduate and postgraduate studies in the fields of arts and science. The aim for the future is to establish new facilities and develop a new system that can make their operations even better.

12. University of North Bengal

University of North Bengal (NBU) is a public state university in Siliguri, West Bengal, India. It was established in 1962 as the first university in the region. The university has 30 departments organized into two faculty councils and offers undergraduate and postgraduate degree programs in science, arts, commerce, and law. 

13. Ranchi University

Ranchi University is a public state university in Ranchi, Jharkhand, India, that was established in 1960 by the Bihar legislature. The university has three faculties that offer undergraduate and postgraduate degree programs: the Faculty of Science, the Faculty of Humanities, and the Faculty of Social Sciences and Commerce. The liberal arts courses are offered on the main campus, while professional other degree courses are provided by affiliated colleges and institutions.

14. University of Allahabad

Founded in 1887, the University of Allahabad is India’s fourth oldest university and has gained its status as one of the country’s Institutes of National Importance. It is also known as one of top choices for international students. The university strives to expand its global presence and influence by having its students and faculty participate in different exchange programs in universities and research organizations around the world.

15. Pandit Ravishankar Shukla University

Pandit Ravishankar Shukla University is a public university in India that is NAAC accredited. Students may enroll in Post-Doctoral, Doctoral, Post-Graduate, Under-Graduate, and Diploma programs. These programs are handled in 29 departments, each filled with top-notch faculty members. The university also has affiliated colleges all around India. The main campus and its affiliate colleges have Grievance Committees to aid student welfare.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Applying to cheap universities in India 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 India for a more comprehensive guide!

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

International students can study a variety of programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels in India. For example, one of the best affordable schools in India is the Alagappa University, which offers Industrial Design, Communication Design, and Aviation to students seeking a bachelor’s degree. At the master’s level, the Alagappa University offers Business Analytics, Journalism and Mass Communication, and Communication Design.

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

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

We hope that this article on free and affordable institutions in India for international students was helpful!