The Cheapest Ivy League School for International Students in 2024

When considering an Ivy League education, the cost is often a significant factor. The Ivy League schools are known for being among the best universities in the US, but they also come with high tuition fees. However, it's essential to note that the total cost of attendance can vary widely depending on the institution, financial aid availability, and whether you're a domestic or international student. 

Tuition fees in Ivy League schools 

Here is a breakdown of the tuition fees for Bachelor’s and Master’s programmes for international students at each Ivy League school: 

• Undergraduate degrees: starting from $56,000 per year 

• Master’s degrees: starting from $11,000 per year 

• Undergraduate degrees: starting from $62,000 

• Master’s degrees: starting from $59,000 

• Undergraduate degrees: starting from $67,000 

• Master’s degrees: starting from 30,000 

• Undergraduate degrees: starting from $65,000 

• Master’s degrees: starting from $23,000 

• Undergraduate degrees: starting from $60,000 

• Master’s degrees: starting from $27,000 

• Undergraduate degrees: starting from $63,000 

• Master’s degrees: starting from $20,000 

• Undergraduate degrees: starting from $66,000 

• Master’s degrees: starting from $25,000 

• Undergraduate degrees: starting from $68,000 

• Master’s degrees: starting from $117,000 

According to data available on our portals, Harvard University is the cheapest Ivy League school for both Bachelor’s and Master’s studies. The University of Pennsylvania and Princeton University also have lower tuition fees for undergraduates, while Cornell University and Columbia University have cheaper fees for Master’s students.  

Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA

Financial Aid Options 

Despite the high tuition fees, Ivy League schools are renowned for their robust financial aid programmes, which can significantly reduce the cost for students: 

• Princeton University has the most generous financial aid packages, covering up to 100% of demonstrated need without requiring loans. For the 2022-2023 academic year, the average grant aid for Princeton students was around $62,079, covering over 90% of the tuition for most students. 

• Yale University offers substantial aid as well, with an average grant amount of $63,523. Yale also commits to meeting 100% of demonstrated financial need. 

• Harvard University provides considerable financial aid, with an average grant of $61,801. About 55% of Harvard students receive some form of financial assistance. 

• Cornell University and Columbia University also offer strong financial aid packages, though the average grant amounts are slightly lower than those at Princeton and Yale. 

Comparison of financial aid at Harvard and Princeton Universities 

Harvard has the lowest tuition fees overall and Princeton has the third lowest tuition for undergraduates plus the most generous financial aid package. Both are two of the only three Ivy Leagues that offer need-blind admission for international students (meaning, they don’t take your ability to pay for your studies into consideration when considering your application). Arguably, they qualify as the most affordable of Public Ivies. So, let’s see a comparison of the financial support offered by these two universities. 

Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey, USA

Undergraduate financial aid 

How It works: 

• Harvard: Harvard College offers a need-based financial aid programme. The university commits to meeting 100% of demonstrated financial need without requiring loans. This ensures that students can afford Harvard based on their financial situation, not their ability to pay. 
• Princeton: Similarly, Princeton provides a need-based financial aid program. Princeton was the first university in the US to eliminate loans from its financial aid packages, replacing them with grants that do not need to be repaid. This no-loan policy means that Princeton meets 100% of demonstrated financial need for all admitted students. 

How much you can get: 

• Harvard: Over 55% of Harvard undergraduates receive some form of need-based scholarship. The financial aid packages are designed to ensure that 24% of students pay nothing at all, with the average parent contribution of around $13,000.  
• Princeton: Princeton's financial aid is similarly generous. About 61% of undergraduates receive financial aid, with the average grant covering most of the tuition cost. The typical aid package at Princeton fully covers tuition, room, and board for families earning up to $65,000 annually.

Who is it for? 

• Harvard: Financial aid at Harvard is available to both domestic and international students, with the same need-based criteria applied to all​. 
• Princeton: Princeton’s financial aid is equally available to domestic and international students, and the university applies the same need-based policy across the board​. 

Graduate financial aid 

How it works: 

• Harvard: Each of Harvard’s graduate schools administers its own financial aid. For Ph.D. students, Harvard typically offers full funding, which includes tuition, fees, and a living stipend for the duration of the programme. Master's students may receive a combination of scholarships, fellowships, and loans, with the specifics varying by programme. 
• Princeton: Princeton guarantees full funding for all Ph.D. students, covering tuition, fees, and a stipend for living expenses for the entire duration of the programme. Master's students at Princeton may receive partial or full funding depending on their department and program​me. 

How much you can get: 

• Harvard: Ph.D. students typically receive full funding, which covers tuition and living expenses. For master's students, the amount of aid varies by programme, but many receive substantial support​. 
• Princeton: Princeton’s Ph.D. students receive full funding, including a stipend for living expenses. Master's students may receive different levels of funding, with some programmes offering full support​. 

Who is it for? 

• Harvard: Financial aid at the graduate level is available to both domestic and international students. However, international students are not eligible for certain federal loans.​ 
• Princeton: Princeton offers financial aid to all graduate students, regardless of nationality. Both domestic and international students are eligible for the same funding opportunities.​ 

In summary, both Harvard and Princeton provide extensive financial aid to ensure that students can pursue their education without financial barriers. While their programs share many similarities, each university has unique aspects that may influence a student’s choice depending on their specific financial needs and academic goals. 

Conclusion 

Choosing the most affordable Ivy League school for international students requires careful consideration of both tuition fees and the availability of financial aid. According to our data, Harvard University emerges as the most affordable Ivy League option for both undergraduate and graduate studies due to its lower tuition fees and robust financial aid packages. Additionally, Harvard, along with Yale and Princeton, offers need-blind admissions for international students, ensuring that financial need does not affect admission decisions. 

Additional Resources 

• What are Ivy League universities 
• Your guide to the best Ivy League essay  
• American universities that are not Ivy League but are still very good (800 words) 
• How to apply to an Ivy League university 
• Find affordable Master’s degrees in the US 

Frequently Asked Questions 

1. Which Ivy League schools offer need-blind admissions for international students? 

Harvard, Yale, and Princeton are the only Ivy League schools that offer need-blind admissions for international students. This means that these schools do not consider a student’s financial situation when making admission decisions, ensuring equal opportunities for all applicants. 

2. What is the most affordable Ivy League school for international students? 

Based on tuition fees and financial aid availability, Harvard University is the most affordable Ivy League school for international students. Harvard offers lower tuition fees for both undergraduate and graduate programmes compared to other Ivy League schools and provides generous financial aid packages. 

3. Do all Ivy League schools offer full funding for PhD students? 

Most Ivy League schools offer fully funded PhD programmes, covering tuition, fees, and providing a stipend for living expenses. This funding is available to both domestic and international students, ensuring that financial constraints do not hinder academic pursuits at the doctoral level. 

4. Which universities in the US offer affordable tuition for international students? 

There are several universities in the US that offer quality education at more affordable rates. You can have a look at public universities, community colleges, liberal arts colleges, or even private universities with strong financial aid packages. Check out Mastersportal to find affordable Master’s programmes in the US and, why not, look for affordable Master’s worldwide if you’re not bound by location.