Philadelphia is one of the best cities for students. Due to the city’s vast number of higher education institutions, students find themselves at home. Near Philly, there’s even University City, which is called such because of the many universities. There are approximately 40,000 students in Philadelphia, with people from many different countries.
Therefore, you’ll be able to get to know other cultures in the same city. Something else to love about Philadelphia is its location. Once you have explored all the historical sites and learned about Philly, you can head to other destinations. New York City and Washington, D.C. are only a few hours away.
The food in Philadelphia is amazing, with the iconic Philadelphia cheesesteak as a staple. Furthermore, a food truck culture offers a variety of dishes from all over the world. Lastly, Philly is a lot cheaper than large cities near it, such as Boston, NYC, and D.C. It’s a definite advantage for any student looking to live there for the upcoming years to pursue their education. In this article, we will be looking at the cheap universities in Philadelphia.
Affordable Schools in Philadelphia for International Students
1. Community College of Philadelphia
- Admissions | Tuition Fees | Scholarships
- Tuition Fees: from $159/credit hour (In-State) | from $477/credit hour (Out-State & Int’l)
Community College of Philadelphia is one of the cheapest universities in the state, as you can see from the tuition fees you must pay per semester. This open-admission college offers associate degrees in construction, business, design, and health care. One of the things to highlight about this college is that it offers very flexible schedules. This process allows students to follow a traditional schedule, to attend in the evenings, or to take their courses online.
Furthermore, the possibility of getting an online degree is excellent for working students who can’t participate in the institution. Also, the Community College of Philadelphia has numerous transfer agreements with four-year institutions, making the transition much easier if you want to continue your higher education and earn your bachelor’s.
2. Temple University
- Admissions | Tuition Fees | Scholarships
- Tuition Fees: from $10,000/year (In-State) | $18,900/year (Out-State & Int’l)
The tuition fee at Temple University might change depending on your field of study. Here, we’re presenting the tuition fee per semester for education studies. However, a handy calculator on their website will allow you to specify the subject you’re interested in.
This institution offers more than 500 programs, and as it has dramatically expanded, students from different parts of the world can access them. It started as a night school in a Baptist temple’s basement and now is the largest institution in Pennsylvania, and it has transcended U.S. borders.
Temple University has six campuses in Pennsylvania, with the main campus in North Philadelphia. Internationally, it has campuses in Tokyo and Rome. It’s the oldest foreign university in Japan. With one of the most significant university police forces in the country, one of its main concerns is the safety of its students. With schools that range from the school of music to the school of podiatry, you’ll probably find a program that interests you here.
3. Chestnut Hill College
- Admissions | Tuition Fees | Scholarships
- Tuition Fees: from $39,200/year
Chestnut Hill College is one of the city’s smallest colleges, with only around 900 undergraduates enrolled each year. The school primarily focuses on liberal arts, with social sciences dominating other areas. This Roman Catholic institution was founded in 1924. It started as a women-only college, but it later became co-ed.
This private college takes a holistic approach, considering the students’ emotional and social development and academic areas. The tuition fee is the same for Pennsylvania residents and non-residents, but first-year students who prove academic excellence can get a scholarship of up to $15,000.
From offering bachelor’s degrees only to young high school graduates, this cheap university in Philadelphia has expanded its curriculum. Chestnut Hill College now has continuing education programs that offer classes on weekends and evenings. These programs allow adult students who have to juggle their work, family, and studies to have a schedule to adapt to their needs.
4. Thomas Jefferson University
- Admissions | Tuition Fees | Scholarships
- Tuition Fees: from $46,200/year
Thomas Jefferson University was first established in 1824. Very recently, in 2017, it merged with Philadelphia University. The institution started as a medical school, while Philadelphia University began as a school of textiles. After that, both institutions broadly expanded over the years.
Together, this affordable university in Philadelphia now offers over 160 programs. These range from architecture to health sciences, including engineering and business programs. Furthermore, it has a large campus with essential research centers, including the Philadelphia Research Center, which focuses on engineering and design.
The tuition fees above correspond to each semester at this university. It’s important to note that over 90% of its undergraduates receive financial aid. Therefore, the total sum to pay might be much lower than what we present here.
Philadelphia is a thriving and exciting city that is ideal for student life, with its rich history and many universities that adapt to your needs. Here, you’ve seen some of the cheapest options available if you’re interested in enrolling in an institution in Philadelphia. Moreover, it’s best to consider the possibility of getting financial aid and numerous part-time jobs in a city like this one.
We hope that this article on cheap universities in Philadelphia was helpful. Feel free to check out the Study in the USA Page and the Available USA Programs for International Students if you’re interested in the universities and open courses in the United States!
About the Author: Hyun Lee
