Attending college or university can be costly, and going far from home only appeals to some. Nashville, the capital of the state of Tennessee, would be an excellent option for those who live in Tennessee and wish to stay close to home to be close to their family and save a bit of money in the process.
Nashville is known as the world’s capital of music, especially country music. The city houses multiple universities and colleges. That’s why we will show you the top five most affordable higher education institutions in the town and, in the process, try to tell you a little bit about each university to make your search for the perfect one more manageable.
Affordable Schools in Nashville for International Students
1. Tennessee State University
Tennessee State University, also known as Tenn State, is kicking off our list of cheapest universities in Nashville. Established in 1912, TSU was originally a historically black land-grant university. The public school is currently the largest state-funded traditionally black university in Tennessee. As of 2014, it is home to over 9,000 students. The university offers both undergraduate and graduate programs. The 38 bachelor’s programs include arts and sciences, history, and nursing, and 35 more, offering different minors and concentrations.
Moreover, students can have their pick out of the 24 other master’s degrees and seven doctoral degrees after completing their bachelor’s degree. These academic programs are spread across eight colleges, including the College of Engineering, the College of Public Service, and the College of Liberal Arts. The university houses a lot of other activities and opportunities for its students to get more involved in campus life and contribute to their community.
2. American Baptist College
Next on our list of cheap schools in Nashville is the American Baptist College, a private and African-American-based college founded in 1924 by the National Baptist Convention. This African-American Christian denomination is the largest in the United States. It’s still affiliated with the denomination today, emphasizing the liberal arts in its academic programs.
The American Baptist College houses various programs, which take up to two or four years, depending on the chosen program. The bachelor’s degree takes four years, for example, the Bachelor of Arts in Bible and Theology or the Bachelor of Arts in Entrepreneurial Leadership. The associate degrees take two years, including the Associate of Arts in General Studies and the Associate of Arts in Music and Arts. These associate degrees prepare students for a transfer to a bachelor’s degree or entry-level career.
3. Welch College
Formerly known as the Free Will Baptist Bible College, Welch College is a private institution founded in 1942 by the Free Will Baptist, a denomination that dates back to the 1600s in England. As of 2019, Welch College houses over 400 undergraduate students, making it quite a small institution. The institution offers both bachelor’s and master’s degrees, with undergraduate students able to take part in the arts and science, music, teacher education, and theological studies programs.
On the other hand, the college offers associate degrees that can last two to three years and prepare students to enroll in a bachelor’s degree of their choice. The master’s degrees available for students are in theology, ministry, or teaching. Welch College’s main objective is to ensure that every student can enjoy college and enroll in a program they choose to succeed in today’s challenging career world. To accomplish this, it also offers financial aid to its students.
4. Fisk University
We have come to the last university on our list, Fisk University. Like Tennessee State University, it is a private, historically black university. The institution was established in 1866 by leaders of the Northern American Missionary Association, six months after the end of the American Civil War. This school houses a vibrant campus life, with over 50 student groups and organizations, student meeting rooms, and a university choir. Students can live on campus in one of the so-called “living-learning centers or LLC.”
Students are housed based on their year of study and gender. Programs at Fisk University are housed in different departments: the School of Humanities and Behavioural Social Sciences includes history & political science together with the arts & languages programs, and the School of Natural Sciences, Mathematics, and Business provides life and physical sciences and business administration programs.
Its notable alums include Mathew Nobles, father and former manager of Beyoncé, two-time Pulitzer Prize-winner David Levering Lewis, and Senator Theo Mitchell.
As an international student, you can choose several affordable colleges and universities if you pursue a degree in Nashville, Tennessee. Moreover, you can enroll in two well-known historically black colleges and universities or HBCUs without struggling with the costs: Fisk University and Tennessee State University. So, don’t hesitate to apply and start your admission process immediately!
We hope this article on the cheapest universities in Nashville was helpful. If you are interested in studying abroad or in the United States, check out the Study in the USA Page and the Available Programs for International Students for more information about the learning opportunities in the U.S. and different open courses!
