The United States has remained one of the top countries international students intend to study, however, it remains one of the most expensive. Students aspiring to become world-class architects are in desperate desire of the best place to acquire the necessary knowledge or advance their knowledge.
Because a degree in Architecture, especially a master’s program yields lots of benefits with a high salary and a very low unemployment rate. But we won’t sweep away the cost, especially as international students where we mostly see students pay more than double what the U.S. citizens or permanent residents pay.
Fortunately, there are a handful of the cheapest architecture universities in USA for international students that still maintain quality education for aspiring students.
Moreover, some Community colleges in New York, Virginia, California, etc., also provide very affordable programs for international students including architectural programs.
In this blog, we’ll be providing schools that provide low-cost tuition for both their citizens and more especially international students which also maintain quality education. Let’s get started
Cheapest Architecture Universities in USA for International Students
10. University of Houston
| Texas Residents | $5,617 Per Semester (Undergraduate)
$3,785 Per Semester (Graduate) |
| Out of State Tuition and International Students | $13,417 Per Semester (Undergraduate)
$9,734 Per Semester (Graduate) |
The University of Houston is among the most affordable architecture universities in the United States for international students that provides scholarships to help reduce students’ fees even further. Moreover, College Factual considers them as the 4th best value architecture school in the US and the 31st among the 467 best architecture schools in the US (Architecture Colleges Rankings).
So their affordability doesn’t encourage poor education. They provide a 5-year Bachelor of Architecture, 2- and 3-year Master of Architecture, and Master of Science in Industrial Design.
9. California Polytechnic University
| California Residents | $6,102 Per Semester (Undergraduate)
$6,819 Per Semester (Graduate) |
| Out of State Tuition and International Students | $12,040 Per Semester (Undergraduate)
$8,403 Per Semester (Graduate) |
Cal Poly University is one of the cheapest architecture universities in USA for international students with a reputation for excellence. It has also made acceptance to their Architecture program very competitive and you need to bring your best game, especially as an international student.
They provide Bachelor of Architecture (BARCH), Master of Science in Architecture (MS ARCH), and Bachelor of Landscape Architecture.
8. Texas Tech University – Huckabee College of Architecture
| Texas Residents | $5,927 Per Semester (Undergraduate)
$4,759 Per Semester (Graduate) |
| Out of State Tuition and International Students | $12,040 Per Semester (Undergraduate)
$8,859 Per Semester (Graduate) |
Through their 4-year Bachelor of Science in Architecture, you’ll be prepared for a career in architecture, the building industry, and related fields. They also provide a 5-year dual degree in architecture and civil engineering.
At their graduate programs, you can either choose a Master of Architecture (M Arch), Dual Degree (M Arch/MBA), or Master of Science in Architecture (MS Arch).
7. South Dakota State University
| South Dakota Residents | $8,504 Per Semester (Undergraduate)
$3,588 Per Semester (Graduate) |
| Out of State Tuition and International Students | $12,225 Per Semester (Undergraduate)
$5,886 Per Semester (Graduate) |
Besides the fact that SDState provides one of the most affordable architecture programs, they still maintain a small number of students; with at most 220 students. They provide both Bachelor of Fine Arts in Architecture (B.F.A.) and Master of Architecture (M.Arch.)
6. Florida International University
| Florida Residents | $3,084 Per Semester (Undergraduate)
$4,101 Per Semester (Graduate) |
| Out of State Tuition and International Students | $9,283 Per Semester (Undergraduate)
$9,015 Per Semester (Graduate) |
FIU is not just among the cheapest architecture universities in USA for international students but they are recognized among the best in providing Architecture education. In fact, FIU’s College of Communication, Architecture + The Arts is Ranked #17 in the World by QS World University Rankings by Subject.
They provide a NAAB accredited Master of Architecture (M. Arch), the advanced post-professional Doctor of Design (DDES), Master of Interior Architecture.
5. North Dakota State University
| North Dakota Residents | $6,192 Per Semester (Undergraduate)
$6,811 Per Semester (Graduate) |
| Out of State Tuition and International Students | $9,288 Per Semester (Undergraduate)
$11,919 Per Semester (Graduate) |
Besides the fact that NDSU is among the most affordable architecture universities in the U.S. for international students their almost 100 years of architectural teaching experience helps them to provide some of the best real-world design, principles, and skills. Through their department of Architecture, you can choose B.Sc in either Architecture or Interior Design or choose Master of Architecture.
There’s also the Master of Landscape Architecture (MLA) degree at their Landscape Architecture Department.
4. University of South Florida
| South Florida Residents | $3,205 Per Semester (Undergraduate)
$3,920 Per Semester (Graduate) |
| Out of State Tuition and International Students | $8,662 Per Semester (Undergraduate)
$7,932 Per Semester (Graduate) |
The School of Architecture & Community Design (SACD) at the University of South Florida is among the cheapest architecture universities in the USA that is very competitive to join. In fact, they only accept 45 students to their 4-year graduate program.
They provide a two-year undergraduate architecture program, followed by a rigorous four-year graduate comprehensive architecture education. They also provide a pre-architecture program to help students have a foundational understanding of what their Master of Architecture program is like.
3. The University of the District of Columbia
| Washington DC Residents | $3,888 Per Semester (Undergraduate)
$4,617 Per Semester (Graduate) |
| Out of State Tuition and International Students | $8,160 Per Semester (Undergraduate)
$8,874 Per Semester (Graduate) |
This school is not just a great choice for international students who want to study in a low-cost architecture university, but also one of the best choices for those who wish to dive into new solutions for sustainability in urban settings. They provide both Bachelor of Science in Architecture (B.Sc.Arch.) and Master of Architecture (M.Arch.)
2. CUNY City College
| New York State Residents | $3,465 Per Semester (Undergraduate)
$6,485 Per Semester (Graduate) |
| Out of State Tuition and International Students | $7,440 Per Semester (Undergraduate)
$11,340 Per Semester (Graduate) |
CUNY City College is home to the Bernard and Anne Spitzer School of Architecture where you can learn a lot at their 135,000 square-foot building with galleries, fabrication facilities, research center, etc.
You’ll have the option of choosing from their 6 degree programs which include Bachelor of Architecture, Master of Architecture, Master of Science in Architecture, Master of Landscape Architecture, etc.
1. Florida Atlantic University
| Florida Residents | $2,439 Per Semester (Undergraduate)
$8,662 Per Semester (Graduate) |
| Out of State Tuition and International Students | $4,461 Per Semester (Undergraduate)
$12,321 Per Semester (Graduate) |
Our list of cheapest architecture universities in USA for international students wouldn’t be complete without mentioning the Florida Atlantic University School of Architecture. Not just due to how affordable it is to international students but also because of how they mix both innovative research-based methods with professional practice conventions.
You can choose from their Foundation of Architecture Program, and their Professional Bachelor of Architecture Program.
Key Takeaway
One of the things I just love about these most affordable architecture universities in the United States for international students is that they didn’t sacrifice affordability for excellence. That means you have nothing to lose by enrolling here and you’ll still get the quality education you deserve.