While an undergraduate degree represents a major financial investment that can lead to fulfilling careers and high salaries, paying for school can be a challenge. The main issue is that the average cost of college in the United States is about $35,720 per student per year. And, it's not getting any cheaper, either. The cost of higher education has actually tripled in 20 years and has an annual growth rate of about 6.8%. As college costs continue to rise, many budget-conscious students consider affordability a major factor in choosing a school.
Fortunately, many colleges and universities understand that today's students are looking for a quality educational experience without having to worry about the price tag. A diploma from a top-notch school should not saddle you with long-term debt, and the cheapest bachelor's degrees do not have to result in an inferior academic experience.
Many of the cheapest colleges for bachelor degrees are also some of the best schools, offering a full range of programs that fit your needs, as well as reasonable tuition and financial aid opportunities. By pursuing one of these cheap college degrees, you not only access one of the cheapest ways to get a bachelor's degree, but can achieve your educational goals without breaking the bank or taking on debt that follows you for many years after graduation.
Featured Online Programs
Figuring out where to apply? These top, accredited schools offer a variety of online degrees. Consider one of these accredited programs, and discover their value today.
The 10 Cheapest Bachelor's Degrees in the United States of 2021
Degree Requirements
Admissions requirements vary from school to school and program to program. Some departments, like engineering or English literature, may have specific admissions requirements you have to meet on top of the general admissions requirements for the college. That said, you will typically need to provide your high school transcripts, any official college transcripts, an essay, SAT or ACT scores, and an application to be considered for admission to most programs.
As with admissions, each degree has its own unique requirements to graduate. In general, though, you'll need to complete about 120 credit hours to graduate with a bachelor's degree. Most programs will require you to keep at least a 2.0 to 2.5 GPA to graduate, though that requirement will vary from program to program. Some programs or schools are more competitive than others, which may translate to higher GPA requirements.
Some programs will also require you to complete an internship or capstone project to graduate. For example, those pursuing teaching degrees will need to complete student teaching requirements in nearly any state. Those pursuing social work degrees will also have requirements for supervised hours. Whether or not you are required to meet similar requirements will depend on what you're studying and the school you attend.
Job Outlook & Salary
The salary you earn after graduation depends almost entirely on what you study. Some fields, like human services, tend to offer lower salary ranges than other fields, like business or marketing. You should do your research prior to deciding on a major to understand what the general salary ranges are for your field of study and your chosen career path.
There are some interesting statistics related to salary to note, however. For example, employees with just a high school diploma typically earn about 62% of what the typical college graduate earns. As of 2019, the median income for recent graduates was about $44,000 a year for bachelor's degree holders in their early- to mid-20s. For high school graduates of the same age, the median earnings were about $30,000 per year.
Scholarships & Financial Aid
If you're looking for ways to finance your education, you may want to consider the scholarship options available to you. These include:
Student Loan Hero from LendingTree
Student Loan Hero by LendingTree gives away $1,000 each month to eligible applicants so you can worry less about college expenses and focus on your future. All eligible high school students, college students, student parents, and others can apply for this monthly giveaway.
Amount: $1,000
Deadline: Monthly
Education Matters Scholarship
The Education Matters Scholarship is open to applicants ages 13 or older who are legal residents of the U.S. and enrolled or enrolling no later than fall 2022 in an accredited post-secondary college.
Amount: $5,000
Deadline: November 30
Get Educated Online College Scholarship Program
Twice a year, the Get Educated online college grant fund awards $1,000 distance learning scholarships to students attending accredited online university degree programs. Applicants must be U.S. citizens enrolled in an accredited online degree program located in the USA with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher.
Amount: $1,000
Deadline: Varies
Unigo $10k Scholarship
This award is for U.S. students. Applicants must be legal U.S. residents, must reside in the 50 United States or the District of Columbia, and must be 14 years of age or older to apply.
Amount: $10,000
Deadline: December 31
