8 Cheapest Universities in Pittsburgh for International Students

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In Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 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 Pittsburgh, you’ll have a lot of school options, as they are home to 8 universities. But if you’re looking for cheap universities in Pittsburgh, make sure to read more!

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

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

University Annual Bachelor’s International Tuition % Cheaper than Average*
Robert Morris University 31,200 USD - 35,700 USD 20%
La Roche University 31,400 USD 20%
Carlow University 32,500 USD 17%
Point Park University 34,900 USD - 44,500 USD 11%
University of Pittsburgh 35,200 USD - 39,000 USD 10%
Chatham University 40,700 USD -4%
Duquesne University 45,400 USD - 50,500 USD -16%
Carnegie Mellon University 59,900 USD -54%

* Average Bachelor’s International Tuition is 38,900 USD for universities in Pittsburgh.

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1. Robert Morris University

Robert Morris University was founded in 1921 as a private educational institution in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The university boasts its accessible and quality education where almost 90% of its student constituency afford themselves a form of financial aid through scholarships, loans, or waivers. Not only is the education affordable, but it is accurate to their students as graduates of their 2020 class have a 95% match in their employment and field of study. Robert Morris University remains to provide competent service in the field of learning for more than a hundred years.

2. La Roche University

La Roche University is among the best private Catholic universities in Pennsylvania. The university recruits students from across the globe regardless of ethnicity or religious background. And as it aims to provide quality education, it is fully committed to giving the best learning environment to its diverse group of students. All necessary academic resources and aid are provided to ensure students succeed in their future careers.

3. Carlow University

Carlow University is a private institution that offers almost 100 undergraduate and graduate degree programs. Besides its main campus in Oakland, it has two more campuses in Pennsylvania and an online campus with many degree options. Its education is based on experiential learning which is done through activities that include credit and non-credit internships, volunteering, research projects, study abroad opportunities, and honors and leadership programs. As this is a Catholic university, it has many religious-related activities, like holding masses and sacrament preparations, but it also has interfaith spaces for people from other religions.

4. Point Park University

Located in Downtown Pittsburg, Point Park University is a private institution that gives countless opportunities for students of all ages. The university offers a broad spectrum of career-oriented degree programs for bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral levels. Moreover, it provides training, internships, and other educational opportunities that will aid students in becoming world-class citizens.

5. University of Pittsburgh

For over 235 years, the University of Pittsburgh continues to provide high-quality education and research to both local and international students. They have been acknowledged for their programs in various fields as they produced excellent graduates that are known today. Additionally, they are one of the leading research universities in the world.

6. Chatham University

Chatham University is known as one of Pittsburgh’s “green” colleges. The university is fully committed to promoting sustainability within its campuses, and the local and national community has recognized it for its tremendous efforts. The university awards degrees at the undergraduate and graduate levels and also offers several non-degree certificates. Some of its top-rated programs include Bachelor of Immersive Media, Master of Physician Assistant Studies, and Master of Arts in Food Studies.

7. Duquesne University

Duquesne University is one of the most prominent Catholic universities in the United States. The Congregation of the Holy Spirit founded it; thus, it may also be called the Duquesne University of the Holy Spirit. As a small, private institution, the student-to-faculty ratio is only 14:1, allowing them to provide attentive training and numerous opportunities. National rankings place Duquesne at 301st (QS Rankings), 264th (Times Higher Education), and 148th (US News).

8. Carnegie Mellon University

Carnegie Mellon University is well-known as one of the best research and higher education institution in the United States. The university was established by the merger of two technical schools; the Carnegie Institute of Technology and the Mellon Institute of Industrial Research. It offers a range of first-class interdisciplinary degree programs and mainly specializes in the field of computer science, machine learning, and robotics. The university is also a management science pioneer and houses the country’s first degree-granting drama institution.

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

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

University Annual Master's International Tuition % Cheaper than Average*
Point Park University 8,505 USD - 11,400 USD 57%
Robert Morris University 9,975 USD - 15,900 USD 49%
La Roche University 10,100 USD 49%
Carlow University 10,800 USD - 20,300 USD 45%
Duquesne University 12,700 USD - 38,100 USD 35%
Chatham University 22,200 USD - 29,200 USD -14%
University of Pittsburgh 33,800 USD - 48,000 USD -74%
Carnegie Mellon University 47,300 USD - 90,000 USD -143%

* Average Master's International Tuition is 19,400 USD for universities in Pittsburgh.

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1. Point Park University

Located in Downtown Pittsburg, Point Park University is a private institution that gives countless opportunities for students of all ages. The university offers a broad spectrum of career-oriented degree programs for bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral levels. Moreover, it provides training, internships, and other educational opportunities that will aid students in becoming world-class citizens.

If you're looking to save the most on your graduate studies abroad, Point Park University should be at the top of your list. International students here pay only 8,505 USD to 11,385 USD annually for their master's degree.

2. Robert Morris University

One of the universities you should definitely check out for practical reasons is Robert Morris University. Here, you can finish your master's degree with minimal stress on your finances. After all, the tuition rate for graduate studies at Robert Morris University is 9,975 USD to 15,900 USD.

Robert Morris University was founded in 1921 as a private educational institution in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The university boasts its accessible and quality education where almost 90% of its student constituency afford themselves a form of financial aid through scholarships, loans, or waivers. Not only is the education affordable, but it is accurate to their students as graduates of their 2020 class have a 95% match in their employment and field of study. Robert Morris University remains to provide competent service in the field of learning for more than a hundred years.

3. La Roche University

La Roche University is among the best private Catholic universities in Pennsylvania. The university recruits students from across the globe regardless of ethnicity or religious background. And as it aims to provide quality education, it is fully committed to giving the best learning environment to its diverse group of students. All necessary academic resources and aid are provided to ensure students succeed in their future careers.

The tuition fee at La Roche University for incoming international master’s students is 10,008 USD. With its cheap rates, you can guarantee you’ll get a quality education without breaking the bank!

4. Carlow University

Another affordable university to consider in Pittsburgh is Carlow University.

Carlow University is a private institution that offers almost 100 undergraduate and graduate degree programs. Besides its main campus in Oakland, it has two more campuses in Pennsylvania and an online campus with many degree options. Its education is based on experiential learning which is done through activities that include credit and non-credit internships, volunteering, research projects, study abroad opportunities, and honors and leadership programs. As this is a Catholic university, it has many religious-related activities, like holding masses and sacrament preparations, but it also has interfaith spaces for people from other religions.

The tuition fee in Carlow University for master’s program for foreign students starts from 10,800 USD.

5. Duquesne University

Aside from its outstanding quality of education, Duquesne 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 12,648 USD yearly.

Duquesne University is one of the most prominent Catholic universities in the United States. The Congregation of the Holy Spirit founded it; thus, it may also be called the Duquesne University of the Holy Spirit. As a small, private institution, the student-to-faculty ratio is only 14:1, allowing them to provide attentive training and numerous opportunities. National rankings place Duquesne at 301st (QS Rankings), 264th (Times Higher Education), and 148th (US News).

6. Chatham University

Chatham University is known as one of Pittsburgh’s “green” colleges. The university is fully committed to promoting sustainability within its campuses, and the local and national community has recognized it for its tremendous efforts. The university awards degrees at the undergraduate and graduate levels and also offers several non-degree certificates. Some of its top-rated programs include Bachelor of Immersive Media, Master of Physician Assistant Studies, and Master of Arts in Food Studies.

7. University of Pittsburgh

For over 235 years, the University of Pittsburgh continues to provide high-quality education and research to both local and international students. They have been acknowledged for their programs in various fields as they produced excellent graduates that are known today. Additionally, they are one of the leading research universities in the world.

8. Carnegie Mellon University

Carnegie Mellon University is well-known as one of the best research and higher education institution in the United States. The university was established by the merger of two technical schools; the Carnegie Institute of Technology and the Mellon Institute of Industrial Research. It offers a range of first-class interdisciplinary degree programs and mainly specializes in the field of computer science, machine learning, and robotics. The university is also a management science pioneer and houses the country’s first degree-granting drama institution.


Frequently Asked Questions

1. How do I get admission to affordable universities in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania?

Applying to cheap universities in Pittsburgh 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 Pittsburgh?

International students can study a variety of programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels in Pittsburgh. For example, one of the best affordable schools in Pittsburgh is the Carlow University, which offers Media Arts and Animation, Behavioral Neuroscience, and Communication: Advocacy and Social Change to students seeking a bachelor’s degree. At the master’s level, the Carlow University offers Art: Ceramics, Psychology, and Fraud and Forensics.


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 United States, it can be tough to know where to start looking.

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

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