31 Tuition-Free Colleges In The United States (2023 Updated)
College and university tuitions and fees are a nightmare of every student and parent who is struggling with providing assets for education. However, there are ways to avoid tuition – partially or completely. It’s no secret that college tuitions and fees are hardly approachable for communities and families that come from the poverty-covered region. Additionally, many people don’t know they can attend college free of tuition. In this article, we’ve listed 30 tuition-free colleges you may find worth checking out.
It’s worth noting that all these colleges come with some conditions, in order to study for free. That said, some institutes work only for poverty-affected families with income lower than a certain threshold set by the university. Other students obtain free scholarships in exchange for working on campus or providing service after graduation.
Over the last 30 years, tuition and fees have increased 1,120% and they will continue rising in the future, surpassing the consumer-price index in a great matter.
Check out the colleges we listed below and find what works the best for you.
1. Alice Lloyd College (Kentucky)
Avg cost after aid: $13K
Graduation rate: 44%
Acceptance rate: 26%
Alice Lloyd College is a small educational institution in Kentucky that offers free tuition programs.
However, several conditions must be met. Students have to be residents of Kentucky, Ohio, Tennessee, Virginia or West Virginia.
They may meet requirements to study at the institutions but they’ll have to either participate in the on-campus labor or work through a student work programs. Students at the college will have to work in fields like community service, maintenance, and whatever else the college requires them to do.
https://www.alc.edu/admissions/financial-aid/appalachian-leaders-college-scholarship/
2. Berea College (Kentucky)
Avg cost after aid: $1358
Graduation rate: 64%
Acceptance rate: 35%
Berea College is a private college targeted towards students who want to graduate from the liberal arts major.
There are, however, degrees from 28 different fields.
The university was established in 1855 and enrolled 1500 undergraduate students from different states and roughly 600 countries.
It offers the tuition promise scholarship so students don’t have to pay anything other than the averagely $1,000 accommodation. Students need to work at student works for at least ten hours a week. Those mostly include campus jobs.
https://www.berea.edu/admissions/no-tuition/
3. Barclay College (Kansas)
Avg cost after aid: $21K
Graduation rate: 44%
Acceptance rate: 67%
Originally Quaker Bible school was originally founded in 1918.
Its program lasts four years and enrolls about 250 students. It’s worth noting that the school has a very liberal policy where it embraces people from all evangelical faiths.
The school has a focus on Pastoral Ministry, Sports and recreation, Leadership, business administration and more.
The school has over 60% admission rate. Students who are accepted to the program are required to live on-campus and participate in full-time education.
Enrolling students receive a $16,000 tuition cover. However, the scholarship doesn’t cover accommodation so students must work to pay for that.
https://www.barclaycollege.edu/tuition/
4. Webb Institute (New York)
Avg cost after aid: $20K
Graduation rate: ––
Acceptance rate: 35%
Students are required to work in the maritime industry and receive a salary during winter.
There are about 104 students enrolled with the student/faculty ratio at 9:1.
Students who are enrolled for free tuition receive full-tuition scholarships.
However, like with the aforementioned option, the costs are limited to the room, textbooks, and tools like software. The room and board cost about $15,000 which students can earn by working through different internships.
https://www.cnbc.com/2018/06/28/this-school-is-tuition-free-and-every-grad-gets-a-job-.html
5. Antioch College (Ohio)
Avg cost after aid: $19K
Graduation rate: ––
Acceptance rate: 97%
The students from this college founded in 1850 have a concentration towards law and social justice.
It requires a co-op program for all enrolling students.
There is a lot of practical work, which proves effective in assembling students to be effective in their future careers.
Although the school has extended its free tuition offer several times, now it provides full-tuition scholarships to all students who can get Federal Pell Grant.
https://www.huffpost.com/entry/antioch-tuition_n_4339146
6. Rice University (Texas)
Avg cost after aid: $20K
Graduation rate: 91%
Acceptance rate: 16%
Rice University was founded in 1891 with a mission to provide free or approachable tuition fees for students who come from poverty-affected regions and whose parents struggle to earn enough money to provide them acceptable education.
That said, students who have a family income below $65,000 the university will cover both tuition and accommodation.
The students whose families earn between $65,000 and $130,000 the university will provide full scholarships but no accommodation.
Lastly, students who have a family income higher than $130,000 but lower than $200,000 will get 50% coverage of the tuition.
Rice University is also featured in 3 Best Private Universities in Texas 2022: Best Of The Best
https://www.cnn.com/2018/09/18/health/rice-university-financial-aid-trnd/index.html
7. Texas A&M (Texas)
Avg cost after aid: $20K
Graduation rate: 79%
Acceptance rate: 71%
Thanks to the Aggie Assurance, students whose family has low income will be able to attend college free of charge, with the tuition being completely covered.
Of course, the student has to be the resident of Texas, and able to pay resident tuition.
That said, students whose family receives less than $60,000 will be awarded scholarships to cover tuition costs. However, they must pay for their accommodation.
https://www.star-telegram.com/latest-news/article3824314.html
8. Baltimore County Community College Promise in Baltimore, MD (Baltimore)
Avg cost after aid: $8,792
In-state tuition: $7,110
Students receive the scholarship for four semesters.
However, other requirements require them to gain at least a GPA of 2.5 in combination with family receiving less than $69,000 annually.
http://www.ccbcmd.edu/Collegepromise
9. College of the Ozarks (Missouri)
Avg cost after aid: $8,352
Graduation rate: 69%
Acceptance rate: 13%
College of the Ozarks is a private educational institution established in 1906.
It has a concentration on Christian liberal arts and has about 1,500 students enrolled at a 15:1 student-to-faculty ratio.
There are over 30 academic majors that students can choose among.
There are additional specialization and pre-professional programs as well as certifications that students can receive.
It offers free tuition to full-time students, although they have to work 15 hours a week on campus.
When the breaks come, students are required to perform 40-hour per week work.
The summer work program that school establishes also covers room and other fees.
https://www.cofo.edu/Page/Admissions/Graduate-Debt-Free.362.html
10. Curtis Institute of Music (Philadelphia)
Avg cost after aid: $16K
Graduation rate: ––
Acceptance rate: 3%
This program was founded in 1924 in Philadelphia. There are various studying programs focused on art, including Bachelor of Music, Master of Music in Opera or other studies.
It is one of the most popular conservatories of art in the world and helps educated musicians kickstart their professional careers.
The school has a low acceptance rate below 5%. The school offers full-tuition scholarships for all the students.
https://www.curtis.edu/admissions/financial-assistance/
11. Deep Springs College (California)
This private two-year alternative college in Deep Springs enrolls not more than 26 students.
They can select and obtain an associate’s degree, but most of the students move on to get a full bachelor’s degree.
It’s an alternative school institution with the most male population.
It was originally a male school that granted permission for females since 2013.
Each student gets full tuition covered and scholarship of $50,000 a year. However, students must work 20 hours a week.
https://www.deepsprings.edu/frequently-asked-questions/
12. The Apprentice School (Virginia)
The school is another one that focuses on engineering and shipbuilding.
It provides full-tuition fees under the condition that students are employed within the campus.
The apprenticeship can take between four and five years to complete, after which students receive a certificate.
It was among the first schools in the nation that focus on shipbuilding.
Instead of tuition, students are able to earn their own money after they complete the final term of the program.
https://www.as.edu/programs/adv/estimator/index.html
13. The United States Air Force Academy (Colorado)
Avg cost after aid: ––
Graduation rate: 79%
Acceptance rate: 12%
If you want to serve the air force of the United States, the United States Air Force Academy welcomes all aspiring students who want to serve the country.
The academy is located in Colorado. There are no tuitions for students, everything is provided free of charge. However, once they complete the program, graduates will have to serve the military.
https://www.academyadmissions.com/apply/commitment/
14. Macaulay Honors College at City University of New York
Macaulay Honors College in New York City was founded in 2001 and focuses on liberal arts but also experiments with different teaching and learning methodologies.
The students can enroll in up to eight CUNY colleges and participate in the Advising Program.
One of the greatest benefits of this college is that they can participate in abroad programs which last about one semester around the globe.
However, to get full tuition scholarships without fees students must work at least ten hours in community service.
https://macaulay.cuny.edu/admissions/tuition-and-merit-scholarship/
15. Princeton University (New Jersey)
Avg cost after aid: $10K
Graduation rate: 97%
Acceptance rate: 6%
One of the oldest universities, Princeton University was founded in 1746.
Students can enroll in different programs including liberal arts, natural sciences, social sciences, and engineering.
In order for students to be accepted for the tuition coverage, they need to submit the family income information with their application.
There are many benefits of studying at Princeton University, one of which is accepting credits from over 100 different programs.
https://admission.princeton.edu/cost-aid/how-princetons-aid-program-works
16. Brown University (Rhode Island)
Avg cost after aid: $30K
Graduation rate: 96%
Acceptance rate: 8%
Brown University in Rhode Island is an Ivy League standard education and research institution.
It’s one of the colleges with a reputation founded before the Revolutionary Wars. It has a large alumni community with a plethora of successful students from the past.
However, being so distinguished and popular, it has a low acceptance rate. However, it provides tuition-free programs for students whose families have low income, lower than $60,000 annually.
Brown University is attended only by the best students and if you fall under that category, under certain conditions they’ll provide you all the necessary means to be a successful student.
https://www.brown.edu/admission/undergraduate/tuition-aid
17. Columbia University (New York)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q7mPgfTPx6c
Avg cost after aid: $24K
Graduation rate: 96%
Acceptance rate: 7%
This is another high-reputation university and the establisher of the Pulitzer Prize.
The university birthed a lot of successful students and researchers who excel in their field.
There is a special program for students whose family makes less than $60,000 annually.
Those students can get free tuition from the university. There are a lot of undergraduate and graduate programs for students who choose to study at Columbia University, as well as various fields to choose from.
There are widespread programs from technology, medical field, athletics, and an extensive library. There are also a lot of academic events where Columbia University excels.
18. Duke University (North Carolina)
Avg cost after aid: $36K
Graduation rate: 96%
Acceptance rate: 10%
Duke University may be a private institution but it’s one of the most prestigious educational institutes in the nation.
It has a rich reputation through difficult educational fields.
However, its medical program is the one that makes it a top-tier university.
It’s well equipped and approachable in a way that students have the best conditions of studying. Additionally, it has a large research center that will help you kickstart your researching career.
Its only requirement to be freed of tuition is your family to earn less than $60,000 a year, similarly to the previously mentioned schools.
Given its high reputation, it only accepts 10% of the applicants who want to enroll.
Nevertheless, the best among the best under certain circumstances will be granted tuition.
It’s important to note that the school expects first year student to provide a minimum contribution from $2,600. That amount is regardless of student or family income.
https://financialaid.duke.edu/undergraduate-applicants/cost
Read More: 3 Best Ivy League Schools for Medicine
19. Harvard University (Massachusetts)
Avg cost after aid: $14K
Graduation rate: 98%
Acceptance rate: 5%
Harvard University is the epitome of sophistication and prestige.
Only the most fortunate and academically successful students get to enjoy the beauties of this university, often praised in the movies, TV shows, and boasted about in the scientific news.
However, only those who have enough assets to go can enjoy such prestige.
Still, students who have family that earns less than $65,000 annually, are permitted to go completely free of charge.
Their tuition, room, classes and other fees are completely paid off – once you get accepted. It’s no secret that Harvard is one of the most competitive universities, not just in the states, but in the entire world.
Because of that, it must maintain a high level and reputation which it achieves thanks to the hardworking and dedicated students.
https://college.harvard.edu/admissions/why-harvard/affordability
20. Massachusetts Institute of Technology – MIT (Massachusetts)
Avg cost after aid: $21K
Graduation rate: 90%
Acceptance rate: 7%
It’s no secret that the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) graduates are distinguished at various technical assets.
They participate in great research which often leads to the most prestigious scientific reward – Nobel Prize.
MIT is the best place to kickstart your tech career. It’s honorable to be their student, but it’s not for everyone.
You have to qualify with the accomplishments you made at high school, win competitions and interviews.
More importantly, to study for free your parents or caregivers need to make less than $90,000 a year.
MIT is the core of the innovation, experiments, inventions, visions. That said, it’s likely that the admitting process will be extremely challenging.
https://web.mit.edu/facts/tuition.html
21. Yale University (Connecticut)
Avg cost after aid: $19K
Graduation rate: 97%
Acceptance rate: 7%
Yale University is another in the Ivy League which makes it top-tier and prestigious.
However, there is a way for students to apply for free.
If they get accepted, under the same criteria as all other students that apply, if your family makes less than $75,000 a year, they can go for free.
It’s no secret that Yale has a successful and respectable alumni record.
It was attended by CEOS, presidents, vice presidents, and other figures. Graduation at Yale will help students kick start their career, especially if they were able to attend it free of charges.
https://admissions.yale.edu/affordability-details
22. Vanderbilt University (Tennesee)
Avg cost after aid: $20K
Graduation rate: 92%
Acceptance rate: 11%
Vanderbilt University may not be the most well-known university, but its educational programs, professors and fields have been widely recognized.
It has a large alumni body which is just a testament to its success.
The university has a mission to provide university degrees to students living in the south (being built in the North) following the Civil War.
Their financial aid is kind of difficult to explain.
However, the university will choose the best students that meet certain criteria to get accepted and cover all their tuition and fees.
This comes in handy to students who don’t come from the best standing conditions and more.
https://www.vanderbilt.edu/datascience/academics/msprogram/tuition-fees-and-financials/
23. The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (North Carolina)
Avg cost after aid: $14K
Graduation rate: 90%
Acceptance rate: 24%
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is a public research institution with a lot of educational programs and courses.
It has a large and respectable alumnus, a lot of research departments and students who can be praised with respectable rewards and results. This university, among others, offers great opportunities for low-income students who are under the Carolina Covenant.
The students who meet the requirements can attend full-time education free of charge.
They won’t have to pay the debt for that, they’ll receive a free tuition program, which serves to motivate students to be high achievers and build a successful career.
https://admissions.unc.edu/afford/cost-of-attendance/
24. Stanford University (California)
Avg cost after aid: $13K
Graduation rate: 94%
Acceptance rate: 5%
Saying that getting at Stanford University in California is easy would be an understatement.
Not only is it an extremely challenging university, but students also have trouble getting in.
After all, most of the graduates from there are responsible for bringing Silicon Valley to life.
It also has a program for students who make less than $65,000 annually.
The students with such low-income family situations can study free of charge. However, they need to make sure that they are committed, dedicated and high-achieving.
https://www.stanford.edu/admission/
25. Cornell University (New York)
Avg cost after aid: $31K
Graduation rate: 94%
Acceptance rate: 13%
Cornell University is among the most popular institutes in NY.
It’s surrounded by beautiful scenery, azure lakes, large forests, hills and valleys and a lot of dedicated students who want to make a great future and build respectable career paths.
Being a prestigious university, Cornell isn’t available or affordable to everyone. However, if your family makes less than $60,000 annually, you may be able to get accepted if you meet the requirements free of tuition charges.
https://finaid.cornell.edu/apply-for-aid
26. Cooper Union (New York)
Avg cost after aid: $15K
Graduation rate: 83%
Acceptance rate: 13%
Cooper Union is a small private university established by an inventor, industrialist and philanthropist Peter Cooper back in 1859.
It is a joint project of scientific and artistic disciplines that provide students a great variety of degrees, including engineering, art, architecture, social sciences, and liberal arts.
The university used to be completely free of charge. However, due to a financial crisis, some students still need to pay half of the scholarship, while other students still get a complete price cut.
https://www.cnbc.com/2018/08/03/cooper-union-college-plans-to-bring-back-free-tuition.html
27. Williamson Free School of Mechanical Trades (Pennsylvania)
This is one of the most approachable schools for students from Pennsylvania.
It is a system of its own based on the system of the Judeo-Christian perspective and teaches students to believe in integrity, faith and service. Students get to learn about carpentry, horticulture, landscaping, machine tools, painting and how power plant technologies work. Upon graduation, they receive an Associate’s degree.
To enroll in the programs students shouldn’t be older than 20, and shouldn’t have married before.
Students must live on-campus and attend full time. There is also a special dress code to be followed and a chapel service to attend. The program entirely covers students’ tuitions, fees, textbooks, rooms, and boards.
https://www.williamson.edu/admissions/financial-aid/
28. Blackburn College (Illinois)
Avg cost after aid: $12K
Graduation rate: 42%
Acceptance rate: 60%
Founded in 1837, Carlinville-based Blackburn College aims to provide quality education for students, as well as on campus.
The student-to-faculty ratio at this college is 11:1. There are a lot of buildings in the college, with a large and respectable on-campus work program that helps students pay their fees.
To justify free tuitions, students must work 160 hours per semester. Some students receive partial tuition decrease, but many students get 100% free scholarship.
https://blackburn.edu/why-blackburn/work-program/
29. United States Naval Academy (Maryland)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CkL_U_fbrdE
Avg cost after aid: ––
Graduation rate: 86%
Acceptance rate: 8%
If your dream has been to become a U.S. Navy, the academy in Maryland may be a place to start.
Students at the academy can become either ensign in the Navy or lieutenants in the Marines.
It’s hard to get accepted. However, if your congressional recommendation is strong enough, you may get full scholarship including room, board and ride. You, however, must dedicate yourself to fully service the nation upon graduation.
30. United States Military Academy at West Point (New York)
Avg cost after aid: ––
Graduation rate: 84%
Acceptance rate: 10%
West Point Academy is one of the oldest military academies with a respectable reputation.
Many of the contributors to American history, politics and military have gone to this academy with a rigorous, strict and ambitious program. Students can also enroll in the civil engineering program.
Most graduates of the academy will become a second lieutenant. If you get accepted, you’ll also accept the full scholarship you’ll exchange for your full dedication after you graduate.
31. The United States Merchant Marine Academy (New York)
Avg cost after aid: $6,796
Graduation rate: 97%
Acceptance rate: 22%
Known by its location King’s Point, the US Merchant Marine Academy trains aspiring students to join the U.S. Army, providing much more skills and assets than other military academies.
Similarly to other academies, King’s Point can be attended free of costs if you meet the requirements like age and citizenship. Also, you need to get a congressional recommendation.
https://www.usmma.edu/admissions/financial-aid
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