Charlotte is one of the major cities in North Carolina, known for its rich heritage from the American Civil War. It is well-known for several sports teams and houses the NASCAR Hall of Fame, so it’s an excellent destination for sports lovers. Its universities have strong sports teams.
Charlotte has a mix of private and state universities, with the latter offering relatively cheap tuition for in-state residents. Still, in all cases, you can apply for financial aid to support you in paying for your education. If you’re interested in studying in this city, below are some of the best-ranked and cheapest universities in Charlotte that are close by.
Affordable Schools in Charlotte for International Students
1. Charlotte Christian College and Theological Seminary
Charlotte Christian College and Theological Seminary aims to educate with a solid Christian message and is committed to advancing the gospels through educational training. It means that its curriculum is more reduced and focused, unlike a liberal arts college, where you would have a lot of choices.
This Christian-based institution offers two associate, three undergraduate, three master’s programs, and a doctorate program requiring the completion of 10 courses. For associate programs, you can choose an Associate of Arts in Urban Christian Ministry or Biblical Studies.
An undergraduate-level degree here costs almost $5,500 per semester, and financial aid is available depending on your situation. Moreover, before an I-20 is issued, all international students must prepay for the initial two semesters.
2. Davidson College
Just under half an hour away from the center of Charlotte, NC, Davidson College is one of the best universities in North Carolina. Founded in 1837 by Presbyterians, it is ranked among the most selective and vital liberal arts colleges in the US. It has 8% international students and offers 31 majors for undergraduate study and pre-professional programs such as pre-law and pre-medicine.
It has an excellent student-to-faculty ratio of 9:1 and offers study-abroad programs during the degree. With its curriculum, you can study degrees in Africana studies, anthropology, biology, chemistry, Latin American studies, philosophy, and religious studies. There is indeed a wide breadth of departments to choose from.
The cost is relatively high as this is such a prestigious institution. As it is private, the student fees don’t differentiate between in- and out-of-state students annually. You can, fortunately, apply for financial aid if you need monetary help.
3. University of North Carolina at Charlotte
The University of North Carolina at Charlotte is focused on a large number of programs and also primarily on research, taking advantage of its urban location. For North Carolina residents, tuition per credit hour and associated fees are $1,098.48, while non-NC residents would pay $1,734.03.
This institution offers undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs. As a first-year student, you can study for a bachelor’s degree in everything from arts to psychology. At this cheap university in Charlotte, you could also declare many minors to further round up your education with them. Student life is vibrant and diverse, with many activities and a slight college feel despite being in a big city.
4. Catawba College
Catawba College is ideally located in Salisbury, which is only 45 minutes away from the center of Charlotte. It’s also tiny and between the mountains and the seaside, allowing students an excellent experience. It is well known for its music and theatre programs, but you can also major in a multitude of other fields, from biology to sports management.
As this is a private college, tuition costs are the same for North Carolina residents or students from the rest of the USA and the world. They are currently $34,300 per academic year, excluding on-campus room and board. You can also access a large number of financial aid options here.
5. Johnson C. Smith University
Johnson C. Smith University is a private, historically black institution with a rich history. Founded in 1867, JCSU offers a liberal arts education that is highly ranked in the U.S.
At this cheap university in Charlotte, you can earn a graduate and bachelor’s degree in 23 majors in the College of Arts and Letters, College of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics, College of Professional Studies, or the School of Social Work. There are many exciting opportunities in interdisciplinary studies whereby you can also create your field of study.
However, they only offer a Master of Social Work at the graduate level. The fee for full-time on-campus tuition is over $10,000 per semester, regardless of whether students are from in or out of state. A range of financial aid options is available.
6. Queens University of Charlotte
The Queens University of Charlotte aims to deliver the personalized experience of a small college while making the most of being in a big city. It is a liberal arts college where you can study over 50 majors and 33 graduate programs and go abroad for a semester—or year-long program.
The cost of tuition is the same for all undergraduate students – over $43,000 per year. They offer on-campus housing, which you can consider, and you can apply for financial aid from the institution directly, but also at the federal level if you are a U.S. citizen. Moreover, ninety-eight percent of Queens’ students receive financial assistance, with more than 10 types of merit scholarships.
Charlotte is the perfect destination for international students who love sports and are looking for a school with low tuition prices! Moreover, you won’t have trouble applying for one of these schools because its public and private institutions have excellent sports teams and offer generous financial assistance packages. So, take advantage of this and enroll right away!
We hope this article on the cheapest universities in Charlotte was helpful. To know more information on studying in the United States, feel free to check out the Study in the USA page and Available Programs for International Students in the USA!
