Philadelphia is a popular city for students. The region has a large higher education network, and West Philadelphia’s University City is described as Philadelphia’s academic heart because of its concentration of education, science, and innovation institutions. The broader Philadelphia region is home to more than 100 degree-granting institutions and more than 300,000 students, so students can study alongside people from many different backgrounds.
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 its historical sites and learned about Philly, you can head to other East Coast destinations. New York City and Washington, D.C. are both reachable by train or bus.
The food in Philadelphia is a major draw, with the iconic Philadelphia cheesesteak as a staple. The city also has a diverse dining scene, including international street-food vendors and food trucks. Lastly, Philadelphia can be more affordable than some nearby East Coast cities, but students should compare housing, transportation, and other living costs before deciding where to study. In this article, we will be looking at affordable universities and colleges in Philadelphia.
Affordable Schools in Philadelphia for International Students
1. Community College of Philadelphia
- Admissions | Tuition Fees | Scholarships
- Tuition Fees: $159/credit hour (Philadelphia residents; $174 starting Fall 2026) | $318/credit hour (Other Pennsylvanians; $348 starting Fall 2026) | $477/credit hour (Non-Pennsylvanians & Int’l; $522 starting Fall 2026)
Community College of Philadelphia is one of the more affordable options in Philadelphia, especially for Philadelphia residents paying by credit hour. Its admissions process is simple, and it offers associate degree and certificate pathways in fields such as architecture and construction, art and design, business and technology, health care, liberal arts, science, and technical trades. The College also offers day, evening, weekend, online, and hybrid courses, and some programs can be completed entirely online.
Furthermore, online learning can be useful for working students who need more flexible scheduling. Community College of Philadelphia also has transfer options, including dual admissions, core-to-core, and program-to-program agreements, which can make it easier to continue toward a bachelor’s degree at a four-year institution.
2. Temple University
The tuition fee at Temple University varies by school, college, program, residency, and enrollment. The latest published base undergraduate tuition rate is $9,804 per semester for Pennsylvania residents and $17,616 per semester for non-Pennsylvania residents, which equals $19,608 and $35,232 per academic year, respectively. Temple’s tuition calculator can help estimate costs for a specific program.
This institution offers more than 600 academic programs and majors, and students from different parts of the world can access a wide range of options. It started as a night school in the basement of Grace Baptist Church and has grown into a major public research university in Philadelphia.
Temple University reports eight total campuses, with the main campus in North Philadelphia and international campuses in Rome and Japan. Temple University, Japan Campus is the oldest and largest foreign university in Japan. With schools and colleges that range from music to podiatry, you’ll probably find a program that interests you here. Temple also provides public safety services such as Temple Police, EMS, walking escorts, and shuttle services.
3. Chestnut Hill College
Chestnut Hill College is a small private Catholic college founded in 1924. It enrolls fewer than 1,000 undergraduates, making it one of Philadelphia’s smaller four-year colleges. The school offers liberal arts and professional programs. It began as a women’s college and later expanded its programs to serve both women and men.
This private college takes a holistic approach, considering students’ academic, personal, and professional growth. The tuition fee is the same for Pennsylvania residents and nonresidents because it is a private college, and first-year students may qualify for merit-based scholarships. Chestnut Hill reports that the average merit-based scholarship for first-year undergraduate students is more than $24,000 per year.
From offering bachelor’s degrees only to young women of traditional college age, this affordable college in Philadelphia has expanded its curriculum. Chestnut Hill College now offers an Accelerated Adult Degree Program with six eight-week sessions and evening classes Monday through Thursday. These programs can help adult students balance work, family, and study.
4. Thomas Jefferson University
Thomas Jefferson University was founded in 1824 as Jefferson Medical College. In 2017, it merged with Philadelphia University, which was founded in 1884 as the Philadelphia Textile School. Both institutions expanded broadly over the years.
Together, this Philadelphia institution now offers more than 200 academic programs, including undergraduate and graduate degrees, certificates, and continuing studies. These include areas such as architecture, business, design, engineering, fashion and textiles, health, medicine, nursing, science, and social science.
The tuition fees above refer to full-time undergraduate tuition for most programs; program-specific fees may apply. It’s important to note that more than 95% of Jefferson undergraduates receive financial assistance. Therefore, the amount a student actually pays may be much lower than the published tuition.
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 affordable options available if you’re interested in enrolling in an institution in Philadelphia. Moreover, it’s best to consider financial aid, scholarships, program-specific fees, and part-time work opportunities when comparing schools.
We hope that this article on cheap universities in Philadelphia was helpful. If you are interested, feel free to check out the Study in the USA Page and the Available Programs for International Students!
