Studying in the USA without IELTS & SAT is a topic of great interest for international and Vietnamese students. This article shares the “Top 7 Universities in the USA that Don’t Require IELTS and SAT – The Most Affordable” to help you get closer to your dream of studying in the USA.
Below is a list of the most affordable universities in the USA that don’t require IELTS & SAT, specifically for international students looking for study opportunities in the United States.
| NAME | LOCATION | NOTABLE RANKING |
| Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) | Manchester, New Hampshire, USA | #131-#171 in Regional Universities North |
| University of Central Florida | Orlando, Florida, USA | #148 in National Universities |
| University of Kansas | Lawrence, Kansas, USA | #122 in National Universities |
| Cleveland State University | Cleveland, Ohio, USA | #299-#391 in National Universities |
| Auburn University at Montgomery | Montgomery, Alabama, USA | #70 in Regional Universities South |
| San Francisco State University | San Francisco, California, USA | #29 in Regional Universities West |
| University of Mississippi | Oxford, Mississippi, USA | #148 in National Universities |
Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) is a private university founded in 1932 in Manchester, just an hour’s drive from Boston. Manchester is one of the seven most livable cities in the USA, according to Forbes magazine, and ranks in the TOP 3 safest cities in the country. This is a university in the USA that doesn’t require IELTS.
Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) is also ranked among the TOP 50 World’s Most Innovative Organizations, alongside globally renowned companies like Apple, Google, HBO, etc.
SNHU has received multiple “Best of Business” awards for its MBA program and its best online business programs. The university’s community economic development program has also been honored with the New England Higher Education Excellent Award and the Robert J. McKenna Award.
| RANKING | ANNUAL COST (USD) |
| #TOP 75 Regional Universities North
#TOP 1 Most Innovative Schools #TOP 86 Best Colleges of Regional Universities North |
Tuition: 15,000 USD
Room & Board: 13,000 USD => Total: 28,000 USD/year |
Additionally, SNHU offers scholarships of up to 4,000 USD for a total of 4 years (i.e., 1,000 USD/year). Therefore, the total cost after applying the scholarship is 27,000 USD/year.
Learn more about Southern New Hampshire University
The University of Central Florida (UCF) is located in Orlando, Florida – voted the most attractive tourist destination in the world. UCF is also one of the universities in the USA that doesn’t require IELTS.
UCF ranks 5th globally for its hospitality management program (CEO Magazine, 2019). Every year, UCF organizes two job fairs specifically for students in hospitality management. Students in this field have the opportunity to secure internships and job placements with over 800 recruitment partners of the university.
Ranked among the TOP 25 public research universities (alongside MIT, Stanford, and John Hopkins) based on the number of patents issued in 2016. Central Florida Research Park, the 7th largest research park in the USA, is managed by UCF and Orange County and hosts over 120 companies with 10,000 employees. The university is recognized by the Department of Homeland Security and the National Security Agency as a national center of excellence in cybersecurity education.
Major corporations such as Lockheed Martin, Harris Corporation, and Siemens hire more UCF graduates than those from any other school in the USA.
| RANKING | ANNUAL COST (USD) |
| #TOP 160 National Universities
#TOP 77 Public Schools #TOP 71 Computer Science #TOP 79 Engineering programs #TOP 116 Business programs |
Tuition: 22,500 USD
Room & Board: 10,500 USD => Total: 33,000 USD/year |
Learn more about University of Central Florida here!
Ranked among the TOP 25 best universities globally (Center for World University Rankings, 2018-2019). Alongside MIT, Harvard, and Yale, the University of Kansas is a member of the American Association of Universities (AAU), an organization comprising 62 of the most prestigious research universities in the USA.
The university is one of the best in the world for training in aerospace design, engines, and aeronautical engineering. It has nurtured 7 Pulitzer Prize winners in journalism, 1 Nobel Prize in Economics, 1 Nobel Peace Prize, and 4 NASA astronauts.
The university partners with over 10,000 companies both domestically and internationally, including big names like Garmin, Coca Cola, General Motors, Bayer, Cerner, Sprint, Amazon, Google, and PwC. The University of Kansas is one of the universities in the USA that doesn’t require IELTS.
| RANKING | ANNUAL COST (USD) |
| #TOP 124 National Universities
#TOP 60 Public Schools #TOP 21 Pharmacy #TOP 67 Business programs #TOP 87 Computer Science #TOP 90 Engineering programs |
Tuition: 32,500 USD
Room & Board: 112,500 USD => Total: 45,000 USD/year |
Additionally, the University of Kansas offers scholarships up to 36,000 USD for a total of 4 years (i.e., 9,000 USD/year). Therefore, the total cost after applying the scholarship is 36,000 USD/year.
Average GPA from grades 9 to 11
IELTS >= 6.5 (if you belong to the category of students not requiring IELTS for USA study, you can take the university’s online English test)
Interview with the university to secure scholarships
No SAT required
>> Learn more about University of Kansas!
Cleveland State University is located in Cleveland, the second-largest city in Ohio, ranked 16th in the USA for the most affordable cities to live in (Niche, 2019). It is also home to many Fortune 500 companies.
Cleveland State University ranks in the TOP 181 engineering programs in the USA and is ranked first in the nation for research funding increases (according to the National Science Foundation). This is the only university in Ohio with a School of Film and Media Arts, and it doesn’t require IELTS for international students.
Each year, Cleveland State University provides over 3,000 internship and co-op opportunities for its students.
| RANKING | ANNUAL COST (USD) |
| #TOP 154 Public Schools
#TOP 181 Engineering programs #TOP 273 Business programs |
Tuition: 17,000 USD
Room & Board: 14,000 USD => Total: 31,000 USD/year |
Auburn University at Montgomery ranks in the TOP 31 public universities in the USA and the TOP 15 universities for best teaching methods. The small class sizes ensure that students receive personalized attention and support from their professors.
Auburn University at Montgomery is in the TOP 1% of the world’s best business schools. Over 80% of business graduates are employed or pursue a master’s degree after graduation. Additionally, 97% of nursing students are employed within 3 months of graduation. Auburn University at Montgomery doesn’t require IELTS for international students.
| RANKING | ANNUAL COST (USD) |
| #TOP 73 Regional Universities South
#TOP 31 Public Schools #TOP 15 Best Teaching #TOP 235 Business Program |
Tuition: 20,500 USD
Room & Board: 19,500 USD => Total: 31,000 USD/year |
Established in 1899, San Francisco State University (SFSU) is a public university that is part of the California State University system, which includes 23 campuses. The university is located in the famous city of San Francisco, California.
SFSU ranks in the TOP 11 public universities in the USA, with its engineering program ranked 46th in the country and its business program ranked 8th out of 301 business schools in the USA. For graduate programs, SFSU is also ranked in the TOP 50 best master’s programs in the western USA.
Notably, SFSU is one of the most affordable universities in California, thanks to financial support from the US government. SFSU is proud to offer quality education to over 30,000 students annually at an affordable cost.
The university also offers numerous internship opportunities with over 500 courses linked to organizations in the local and surrounding areas, providing students with valuable practical experience.
| RANKING | ANNUAL COST (USD) |
| #TOP 29 Regional Universities West
#TOP 11 Public Schools #TOP 17 Best Teaching #TOP 46 Engineering programs |
Tuition: 19,300 USD
Room & Board: 15,000 USD => Total: 34,300 USD/year |
The University of Mississippi has been voted the most beautiful campus in the USA (Reader’s Choice, USA Today). It is also one of the universities in the USA that doesn’t require IELTS.
For many years, the university has ranked in the TOP 100 universities in the USA for business programs, with its Integrated Marketing program ranked in the TOP 12 nationwide. The university’s MBA program is ranked in the TOP 50 in the USA (according to Bloomberg Businessweek).
| RANKING | ANNUAL COST (USD) |
| #TOP 160 National Universities
#TOP 77 Public Schools #TOP 97 Business programs #TOP 154 Computer Science #TOP 161 Engineering programs |
Tuition: 25,500 USD
Room & Board: 14,500 USD => Total: 40,000 USD/year |
Additionally, the University of Mississippi offers scholarships up to 12,000 USD for a total of 4 years (i.e., 3,000 USD/year). Therefore, the total cost after applying the scholarship is 37,000 USD/year.
The above is a list of the most affordable universities in the USA that don’t require IELTS and SAT. Hopefully, it will help you make the right choices in your study abroad journey.
NEEC is a reputable study abroad consulting organization that supports and advises students on the detailed process of applying to top universities in the USA. Chat with us, or leave your information for detailed consultation.
