Seattle could be an excellent option if you want to study in one of the fastest-growing major cities. Often referred to as the emerald city and the city of goodwill, this place was ranked the most literate city among the 69 major cities of the U.S. Moreover, it has the country’s highest percentage of college and university graduates.
Some renowned universities are the University of Washington, Seattle Pacific University, Antioch University, Seattle Colleges District System, and Cornish College of Arts. Although Seattle is one of the most expensive cities in the United States, it houses numerous universities built before the era of world wars, functioning not for business but for the welfare of the people.
That’s why we listed some of the most affordable schools you can choose from in Seattle if you plan to study here. So, read carefully to learn more!
Note: All figures mentioned in bullets are yearly.
Affordable Schools in Seattle for International Students
1. City University of Seattle
The City University of Seattle is a private, not-for-profit, academic institution that offers on-campus and offline distance learning courses. It has campuses in Canada, China, Vietnam, Switzerland, Mexico, and Slovakia. The university was founded in 1973 to provide higher education to working professionals.
Today, this cheap university in Seattle has over 500 international students across its schools: the School of Business & Management, the School of Education & Leadership, the School of Technology & Computing, the School of Health and Social Sciences, and the Washington Academy of Languages. It has also collaborated with Bates Technical College, Bellingham Technical College, and Lower Columbia College to provide courses in these fields.
The university’s per-credit cost depends on the student’s residency status and which school they are enrolled in. For instance, the undergraduate per credit at the School of Education & Leadership costs $460, while its price at the School of Health and Social Sciences and School of Technology & Computing is around $425. Moreover, the tuition for international students per credit costs around $515 to $615, depending on the school.
2. University of Washington
One of the oldest universities on this list, the University of Washington is one of the leading scientific performance and research outlay universities in the world. Over 50,000 students enroll in its courses annually over 100 departments. The institution has tie-ups with giants like Microsoft, Amazon, Nintendo, and Boeing.
Moreover, this university was named one of the top institutions in the United States for producing Fulbright Scholars and Students in the academic year 2022–2023. Ten undergraduates and eight teachers at the UW were honored with Fulbright scholarships. So far, it has produced 20 Nobel Laureates, various Pulitzer Prize winners, and Olympians. Its 703-acre campus is also one of the largest campuses for a higher studies institution.
3. Seattle Central College
- Admissions | Tuition Fees | Scholarships
- Tuition Fees: $127.59 – $247.61/credit hour (In-State) | $145.79 – $265.81/credit hour (Out-State) | $328.13 – $695.59/credit hour (International)
A part of the Seattle Colleges District System, Seattle Central College was established more than 50 years ago in 1965 but traces its history before the World War. Its current location on Capitol Hill was once Broadway High School, which was conceptualized and transformed into a professional studies college. Built on a 15-acre campus, over 45,000 students from all around the globe go to this school yearly.
This cheap college in Seattle today offers three bachelor’s degrees, 29 associate degrees, and 16 professional certificate courses. The costs for this college are relatively low, especially for in-state students. These fees include tuition, books, and room and boarding. It’s also important to note that if you’re enrolling as an international student, you must pay $393 annually for medical insurance.
4. Antioch University Seattle
Antioch University is a non-profit liberal arts university founded in 1852. It has four campuses nationwide: Ohio, California, New Hampshire, and, of course, Seattle. It started as Antioch College in Yellow Springs and was led by abolitionist Horace Mann. Today, this institution has two wide umbrellas under which online and graduate courses fall.
The fee structure for Antioch is the most unique on this list. This cheap university in Seattle has a uniform fee for residents and non-residents. International students, though, must fulfill the basic requirements to abide by U.S. laws to come and study here. If you need help paying your school fees, the school also offers financial aid, depending on your circumstances. These include grants, scholarships, loans, work-study opportunities, student employment, and emergency funding.
5. Seattle Pacific University
Seattle Pacific University is a privately owned Christian university established in 1891. It is a member of the Christian College Consortium. The university recently enrolled over 2,600 students across its six schools: the College of Arts and Sciences, the School of Business, Government, and Economics, the School of Education, the School of Theology, the School of Health Sciences, and the School of Psychology, Family, & Community.
Its 43-acre campus is excellent for students to develop in every dimension. It offers undergraduate courses in art history, biology, apparel design, music, business administration, economics, English, physiology, etc. The university charges the same tuition fees for all students.
While the total tuition fee is the same, the total expenses may differ due to student housing and personal expenses. Moreover, it’s important to note that international students must pay for medical insurance, while American residents don’t.
Seattle is an excellent educational hub for all national and international students, as its proximity to the country’s capital and rich history gives it a lively and vibrant image. The universities listed above are some of the best yet the most reasonable in Seattle, primarily because they are non-profit institutions built to develop tomorrow’s young minds. So be sure to pick what suits you best!
We hope this article on the cheapest universities in Seattle was helpful. Make sure also to check out the Study in the USA page and the Available Programs for International Students in the USA for more programs and learning opportunities in the United States!
