There are a handful of colleges or programs that are tuition-free. I realize that there is a lot of competition for some of these, red tape for others, and some that mean moving across the country….but for the highly motivated student, this could make the difference between a burden of student loan debt and financial freedom.
Arizona State University
*NOT COMPETITIVE*
Arizona State University is a public research university with campuses throughout the Phoenix metro area and has over 300 online degree options. Students can study full-time, part-time, or through accelerated online degree programs. Online degrees are available in various fields, and some are tuition-free.
ASU provides free tuition to a specific set of students through the Starbucks College Achievement Plan, a 100% tuition coverage offered to all benefits-eligible Starbucks employees. It can be applied to online programs. Students only need to pay for class fees and books.
Cooper Union
*VERY COMPETITIVE*
Cooper Union comprises three schools: School of Art, Irwin S. Chanin School of Architecture, and Albert Nerken School of Engineering. Each school offers undergraduate and graduate degrees. Its acceptance rate is 13%, the retention rate is 96%, and the student-faculty ratio is 9:1. All enrolled undergraduate and graduate students get free tuition. CooperUnion
Curtis Institute of Music
*VERY COMPETITIVE*
Curtis Institute of Music, one of the world’s leading conservatories, prepares exceptional young musicians for careers as professional performers. The institute offers free online courses via Coursera. It is MSCHE accredited and has a 4% acceptance rate, and students are chosen based on merit. The institute has no age restrictions, and every student receives full tuition. Prospective students must audition for enrollment in Philadelphia’s Curtis Institute of Music, which has offered full-tuition scholarships to every undergraduate and graduate student since 1928. While the music school does not charge tuition, it has annual fees. New and returning students pay a $3,500 comprehensive fee – which covers the cost of textbooks, internet, recording fees, wellness services and the use of facilities – along with other charges for health services and health care insurance.
Deep Springs College
*VERY COMPETITIVE*
The school offers a full scholarship worth over $50,000 that covers tuition, room, and board. While students are responsible for their own books, medical insurance, and other expenses, the institution covers the large tuition bill. Smaller bills can be covered by additional scholarship funds in cases of extreme financial hardship. Most students enroll full-time on-campus, so online courses are limited but are nevertheless available given the current changes in education setup post-pandemic. Students enrolled at California’s Deep Springs College don’t pay tuition, though they are expected to provide a damage deposit and pay for books, travel, health insurance and incidental expenses. In instances of demonstrated financial need, these additional costs also can be subsidized. The college covers tuition and, unlike many tuition-free schools, includes room and board. Deep Springs accepts between 12 and 15 students each year to receive a two-year liberal arts education while working on the school’s cattle ranch and alfalfa farm.Deep Springs
University of the People
*NOT COMPETITIVE*
University of the People(UoPeople) is an online university that is not currently regionally accredited but is in the process of becoming RA. It offers associate, bachelor, and MBA degrees in computer and health science. It is accredited by the Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC).
Admission requirements vary by program, and while UoPeople offers free tuition, each applicant must still pay $60 for application, $240 for end-of-course assessment, and $17 for transfer credit. To take exams, students must pay $100 each. The Associate’s Degree requires 20 exams, and the Bachelor’s Degree requires 40. Those who cannot afford the exams can apply for a scholarship from UoPeople. (Bachelor’s degree requires 40 courses, so you’ll have 40 exams @$100 each = $4,000)
Williamson College of the Trades
*VERY COMPETITIVE*
Williamson College of the Tradeswas founded in 1888 and is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC). This faith-based, all-male career college grants associate degrees and offers six trade programs, including masonry, carpentry, landscaping, power plant technology, machinery and construction technology with an electrical emphasis. All students who qualify for need-based aid receive the Williamson scholarship, which exceeds the cost of the school’s tuition and room and board. Students are responsible for additional fees and paying for books and supplies. All admitted students are on full scholarships covering tuition, room and board, and books. Students are required to pay entrance fees, charges for personal items, and annual breakage fees, but for the most part, students attend college for free. While Williamson College does provide online courses and programs, most of them lead to associate degrees in trade programs.
Alice Lloyd College (KY)
This small rural school in Pippa Passes, Kentucky, guarantees free tuition to students who live in the Central Appalachian service area. Residents of 108 counties in Kentucky, Ohio, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia may qualify forAlice Lloyd College‘s Appalachian Leaders Scholarship, which covers the cost of tuition for up to 10 semesters. All students take jobsthroughthe student work program and work at least 10 hours a week in areas such as maintenance, food preparation and office administrative work.
Antioch College (OH)
AtAntioch College, up to one-third of a student’s undergraduate experience is spent engaged in full-time work or research. As part of Antioch’s College Work program, allPell-eligiblenew and returning studentsreceive full tuition, last-dollar scholarships. The aid does not cover room and board costs, in some cases, and to remain eligible students must maintain at least a 2.0 GPA.
The Apprentice School (VA)
With a 100-plus-year history, The Apprentice School provides students with classes and full-time employment in various shipbuilding trades. There is no tuition at the Virginia school. Instead, students earn an hourly wage plus benefits. A typicalapprenticeshiplasts four to five years. Upon completion, students graduate with a certificate and an associate of applied science degree in their trade.
Barclay College (KS)
Students at this private Christian college in Kansas attend tuition-free if theylive on campus. All full-time students atBarclay Collegewho live in the school’s residential facilities qualify for the college’s full-tuition scholarship but are responsible for technology, room and board, and general fees. “It is the heart of Barclay College to see our students graduate with little to no debt,” the school’s website says.
Berea College (KY)
AtKentucky’sBerea College, no student pays tuition. The Tuition Promise Scholarship pays off any remaining tuition costs for all admitted students after the use of state, federal and institutional aid. Students mustwork at least 10 hours per week on campusin one of more than 130 departments andtypically earn between $6and $8 hourly – though higher wages are available for certain job classifications. Earnings can be used to pay for room, board and other educational expenses.
College of the Ozarks (MO)
Full-time students at theCollege of the Ozarksin Missouri pay no tuition, but part-time students shell out $310 per credit hour. For those attending full time, the tuition waiver requires 15 hours a week of work plus two 40-hour weeks during the academic year. All students pay a $245 health/technology/services fee every semester. The college uses the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, known as theFAFSA, to determine financial need, an admissions requirement for all students.
Haskell Indian Nations University (KS)
The Kansas-basedtribal universityoffers free tuition to American Indian and Alaska Native students from federally recognized tribes. Additional fees, such as those related to technology, housing, athletics and activities, are not included and range from $240 per semester for off-campus students to $715 for those living on campus. Each tribe saves around $20,000 per year in tuition and fees for every member sent toHaskell Indian Nations University, according to the school’s website.
University of New Hampshire
Launched in 2017, the Granite Guarantee program at theUniversity of New Hampshireprovides full tuition for the fall and spring semesters to qualified state residents for up to four years. This is limited to full-time, first-year students who are eligible for the Pell Grant. Pell-eligible graduates from the Community College System of New Hampshire who immediately transfer to UNH also qualify.
Warren Wilson College (NC)
This North Carolina work college provides a tuition waiver in the form of a scholarship to all in-state residents who qualify for need-based aid and attend as first-time, full-time undergraduates. All students atWarren Wilson Collegeare required to work eight to 16 hours per week, depending on their year in school, and develop a craft. The college also offers Milepost One, a full-tuition scholarship for up to 25 students with a family income of or below $125,000 per year, including international andDeferred Action for Child Arrivalsprogram students.
Webb Institute (NY)
Webb Institute, a small engineering school on Long Island, gives full-tuition scholarships – valued at more than $200,000 over four years – to all incoming students who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents. The school, which has a total enrollment of about 100 students, offers one course of study:a dualbachelor’s degree in naval architecture and marine engineering. Students can apply forfederal loans and grants to cover their room, board and other expenses.
