Hi @Aiden3352 & welcome to the forums 
I’d suggest reading through this topic to see what others are using:
“Expensive” is a relative term - $500 is nothing to a millionaire, but perhaps 6 months-worth of discretionary spending money to a student! Could you give us a $$ range that you would be comfortable spending?
Here are a few links, in no particular order, that I’ve saved for review whenever I decide to upgrade my current controller hardware. Also, just searching on the terms “controller”, “joystick”, “yoke” etc. will bring up many topics. You’ll be able to ignore some by just their titles, but others may give you some ideas.
Controller Links
List of Force Feedback hardware
Yoke or Stick? - #11 by MagicQuasar1176
Thrustmaster Sidestick Airbus Edition - Drift - #9 by CasualClick
Desk joystick for helicopters, aircraft - #23 by RagingWombat839
VelocityOne Flight Universal Control System - Turtle Beach - #1064 by TenNight5500570
VelocityOne Flight Universal Control System - Turtle Beach - #1066 by PilotMonster126
Why do I have Duplicate Rudders and Touch Device that doesn't exist - #50 by TONYDARKZERO
Desk joystick for helicopters, aircraft - #14 by MagicQuasar1176
What throttle and joystick or yoke, do you guys use in MSFS? - #42 by RagingWombat839
Yoke and pedals - #10 by Patirish2