Low-Cost STEM Programs, international students, OPT/CPT opportunities in Dakotas

(UNITED STATES) For many international students, the only way to afford U.S. education is to find STEM Programs that keep tuition and living costs as low as possible while still offering strong OPT/CPT opportunities and a real shot at long‑term careers. The universities below offer some of the cheapest STEM options in the country for 2026, while still giving access to STEM OPT, internships, and solid job outcomes.

How this ranking works

This Top 10 list is based on several factors combined:

• Lowest annual tuition for international students
• Affordable cost of living in the city or state
• Program reputation and academic strength
• Scholarship availability and campus jobs
• Graduate employability, including OPT and STEM OPT outcomes

The focus is on maximum return on investment (ROI) for students from India, the Middle East, Africa, Southeast Asia, and other regions who want U.S. degrees without crushing debt.

Snapshot — Top 10 affordable STEM universities (2026)

Detailed university highlights

1. Minot State University, North Dakota

Minot State offers some of the lowest tuition in the United States, around $8,000–$10,000 per year for international students. Popular STEM programs include Computer Science, Mathematics, and Biology, which support careers in software, analytics, health, and research.

North Dakota’s very low cost of living (rent, food, transport) keeps total yearly expenses close to a typical middle‑class budget in many home countries. The smaller classes and quieter town setting help students focus on grades, projects, and later OPT applications, instead of constant financial pressure.

2. South Dakota State University

With tuition around $12,000 per year, South Dakota State University remains far below many American engineering schools. It offers STEM programs in Engineering, Data Science, Agriculture Technology, and Biology.

The university features a strong research environment with labs and projects tied to industry needs in manufacturing, agriculture, and analytics. Those industry links often translate into CPT internships and later STEM OPT roles (process engineering, data analysis, agri‑tech).

Housing and daily expenses stay relatively low, making it easier to fund a full degree without excessive loans.

3. Eastern New Mexico University

Eastern New Mexico University charges roughly $8,500 per year, making it one of the best‑priced STEM options. Key programs include Computer Science, Electronics Engineering, and Chemistry.

The campus is known as safe and friendly, with smaller class sizes that provide more personal attention from professors. That closeness helps when asking for recommendation letters for internships, CPT, and later OPT jobs. Low local housing costs and apartment‑sharing make a four‑year U.S. bachelor’s more affordable.

4. Arkansas State University

Arkansas State keeps tuition around $11,000 per year and offers STEM programs in Engineering, Computer Science, and Biotechnology.

Notable points:

• Internship and co‑op support
• Ties with local and regional employers
• A campus climate welcoming to international students

Because Arkansas has low rent and living costs, yearly budgets often stay far below private coastal universities. Students in in‑demand fields commonly find paths into CPT positions and later STEM OPT jobs.

5. Fort Hays State University, Kansas

Fort Hays State is one of the most affordable public universities, with tuition around $15,000 per year. Key STEM areas include Information Systems, Cybersecurity, and Mathematics.

The university offers online and on‑campus options, giving flexibility for working students and those planning co‑ops or internships that may lead to full‑time roles. Kansas living costs are moderate, and smaller‑city life usually means short commutes and safer neighborhoods.

For students focused on IT and cybersecurity, Fort Hays provides career‑oriented courses that can lead directly into OPT roles and potential longer‑term pathways such as H‑1B.

6. University of Central Arkansas

With tuition near $11,000 per year, the University of Central Arkansas provides a balanced mix of cost and quality. STEM programs include Computer Science, Data Analytics, Biology, and Chemistry.

Departments are known for strong academic support and project‑based learning. Many classes use real‑world case studies, helping students build portfolios that matter when applying for internships, CPT, and OPT roles. The town offers affordable housing and a visible international student community, which helps new students cut costs and adapt.

7. Bemidji State University, Minnesota

Bemidji State charges about $10,000 per year and offers STEM programs in Computer Science, Environmental Science, and Engineering Technology.

The campus sits in a scenic, quiet town with low crime and easy access to nature. Students receive hands‑on research exposure through small labs and faculty‑led projects, useful for CPT and later STEM OPT roles in environmental tech, GIS, and software. Minnesota winters are cold, but the close student community and part‑time campus jobs help with expenses.

8. California State University (CSU) system

CSU tuition is higher than plains schools, at $17,000–$19,000 per year, but still affordable by California standards. CSU offers a wide range of STEM programs:

• Computer Engineering
• Software Engineering
• Data Science
• Biotechnology
• Electrical Engineering

CSU’s biggest strength is location. Many campuses are near Silicon Valley, Los Angeles, and San Diego, giving direct access to major tech markets. Internships and part‑time roles often lead to CPT, then OPT and STEM OPT positions at startups and major firms — a major draw for Indian IT and engineering students.

9. Northwest Missouri State University

Northwest Missouri State keeps tuition around $9,500 per year and offers STEM programs in Computer Science, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), and Nanoscience.

A standout benefit is the free laptop program, which removes a major upfront cost. The surrounding town is budget‑friendly with low rent and daily expenses. Computer Science graduates often use their OPT period to gain U.S. experience and move into software development, testing, and data roles.

10. Metropolitan State University, Minnesota

Metropolitan State sits in an urban Minnesota area and charges roughly $10,000–$12,000 per year. STEM programs include Computer Science, Information Systems, and Mathematics.

Because the university serves many working adults, class schedules and advising accommodate students who hold part‑time jobs. Living costs are lower than New York or San Francisco, while still providing access to a strong regional tech and business job market. The applied focus helps students move quickly into software, IT support, or analytics roles via CPT and OPT.

STEM OPT, CPT, and key immigration steps

All degrees listed are STEM‑designated under U.S. rules, meaning F‑1 students who complete them can normally apply for:

1. 12 months of standard OPT (Optional Practical Training)
2. Then a 24‑month STEM OPT extension

Together, this can give up to three years of work authorization in the United States after graduation — a primary reason these programs attract many international students.

Official OPT and STEM OPT rules, including timelines and employer duties, are explained by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services at U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.

F‑1 students should stay in close contact with their university’s international office to keep their Form I‑20 updated and to handle work authorization filings correctly. Key forms include:

• Form I‑20 – the main student record issued by the school
• Form I‑765 – used to apply for OPT work authorization
• Form I‑983 – training plan required for the STEM OPT extension

According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, students who plan early for these steps and coordinate with school advisors usually transition more smoothly from study to paid work.

Key takeaway: Plan your immigration steps early, keep your paperwork current, and use campus international offices — these actions significantly improve chances of securing CPT, OPT, and STEM OPT opportunities.

How to decide which budget STEM option fits you

When comparing these universities, don’t look at tuition alone. Consider the following:

• What is the total yearly cost?
  Add tuition, fees, rent, food, transport, health insurance, and personal spending.

• How strong is the program in my field?
  Check for ABET accreditation for Engineering. For Computer Science and Data, ask about recent internship and job placement results.

• What are the real OPT/CPT opportunities?
  Ask each school how many international students actually get CPT during study and how many find jobs during OPT and STEM OPT.

• Are scholarships or campus jobs available?
  Many of these universities offer merit scholarships or departmental awards that can cut costs by several thousand dollars a year.

• Does the location fit my long‑term plan?
  Decide whether you aim to return home after OPT, move to another country (e.g., Canada 🇨🇦), or pursue a longer U.S. career. Tech hubs (California) provide more job options; smaller states give lower daily costs.

Choosing among these programs is not only about chasing the lowest price. It’s about finding a realistic balance between tuition, living costs, academic quality, and future work options.

For many price‑sensitive families, these 10 universities offer a rare mix of affordable U.S. education, strong STEM programs, and meaningful OPT/CPT opportunities that can open doors for years to come.