The cost of college tuition has increased significantly over the past 20 years. Tuition and fees for in-state public national university tuition and fees have grown 175%, with a 134% increase in tuition and fees at private national universities and a 141% jump for out-of-state tuition and fees at public national universities.
With the rising cost of tuition, many are seeking lower-cost schools that still offer a solid education. Below are nine colleges and universities considered to be some of the best colleges and universities that charge less than $15,000 annually in tuition and fees yet still have high ratings.
To qualify for this list, the schools had to come in at $15,000 per year or less in annual fees and tuition while ranking in the top 20 for the “Best Value Colleges and Universities” and the “50 Best Public Colleges and Universities” lists as ranked by Academic Influence.
“Best Value Colleges and Universities” are considered those that charge less than $20,000 annually in fees and tuition while rating high on the Academic Influence Ranking. To rank in the “50 Best Public Colleges and Universities” category, the college’s concentrated influence is used, which looks at the university or college’s top academic faculty and alum influencers and divides it by the total undergraduates at the school.
In addition to the tuition and fees, the acceptance rate, graduation rate, student body size, and ratings for the college or university are included. Additionally, the subjects that the school’s alums and faculty have been influential in and known for are also provided.
9 Best Colleges for Budget Conscious Students
1. University of California, San Diego
- Tuition & Fees: $15K
- Acceptance Rate: 34%
- Graduation Rate: 89%
- Student Body: 41K
- Rankings:
- #14 50 Best Public Colleges and Universities Ranked for Students in 2023
- #9 Best Value Colleges and Universities Ranked for Students in 2023
- Known for physics, chemistry, biology, computer science, psychology, earth sciences, anthropology, mathematics, economics, and engineering
2. University of California, Berkeley
- Tuition & Fees: $14K
- Acceptance Rate: 14%
- Graduation Rate: 93%
- Student Body: 43K
- Rankings:
- #1 50 Best Public Colleges and Universities Ranked for Students in 2023
- #1 Best Value Colleges and Universities Ranked for Students in 2023
- Known for chemistry, computer science, mathematics, biology, physics, engineering, communications, anthropology, sociology, and philosophy
3. University of California, Los Angeles
- Tuition & Fees: $13K
- Acceptance Rate: 11%
- Graduation Rate: 92%
- Student Body: 46K
- Rankings:
- #3 50 Best Public Colleges and Universities Ranked for Students in 2023
- #3 Best Value Colleges and Universities Ranked for Students in 2023
- Known for nursing, philosophy, anthropology, chemistry, sociology, mathematics, literature, history, earth sciences, and social work
4. Georgia Tech
- Tuition & Fees: $13K
- Acceptance Rate: 16%
- Graduation Rate: 92%
- Student Body: 34K
- Rankings:
- #10 50 Best Public Colleges and Universities Ranked for Students in 2023
- #13 Best Value Colleges and Universities Ranked for Students in 2023
- Known for physics, computer science, economics, mathematics, criminal justice, sociology, communications, earth sciences, engineering, biology
5. University of Washington
- Tuition & Fees: $12K
- Acceptance Rate: 53%
- Graduation Rate: 84%
- Student Body: 44K
- Rankings:
- #5 50 Best Public Colleges and Universities Ranked for Students in 2023
- #7 Best Value Colleges and Universities Ranked for Students in 2023
- Known for earth sciences, medicine, social work, biology, computer science, anthropology, chemistry, mathematics, physics, and nursing
6. University of Texas, Austin
- Tuition & Fees: $12K
- Acceptance Rate: 29%
- Graduation Rate: 88%
- Student Body: 45K
- Rankings:
- #10 50 Best Public Colleges and Universities Ranked for Students in 2023
- #4 Best Value Colleges and Universities Ranked for Students in 2023
- Known for communications, social work, law, physics history, earth sciences, business, computer science, criminal justice, and engineering
7. University of Wisconsin, Madison
- Tuition & Fees: $11K
- Acceptance Rate: 60%
- Graduation Rate: 89%
- Student Body: 38K
- Rankings:
- #9 50 Best Public Colleges and Universities Ranked for Students in 2023
- #12 Best Value Colleges and Universities Ranked for Students in 2023
- Known for physics, sociology, psychology, history, engineering, mathematics, earth sciences, chemistry, anthropology, economics
8. University of Maryland, College Park
- Tuition & Fees: $11K
- Acceptance Rate: 52%
- Graduation Rate: 88%
- Student Body: 36K
- Rankings:
- #19 50 Best Public Colleges and Universities Ranked for Students in 2023
- #15 Best Value Colleges and Universities Ranked for Students in 2023
- Known for physics, computer science, economics, mathematics, criminal justice, sociology, communications, earth sciences, engineering, and biology
9. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
- Tuition & Fees: $9K
- Acceptance Rate: 20%
- Graduation Rate: 90%
- Student Body: 25K
- Rankings:
- #7 50 Best Public Colleges and Universities Ranked for Students in 2023
- #6 Best Value Colleges and Universities Ranked for Students in 2023
- Known for law, communications, history, literature, education, philosophy, mathematics, business, psychology, and sociology
Affordable Colleges Don’t Imply a Lesser Education
With colleges like these, it’s still possible to get a quality education at a fraction of the cost of colleges that charge upwards of $20,000 per year in fees and tuition to attend. You’ll be able to pursue your degree and career aspirations without going into more debt than necessary.