10 Colleges and Universities with $0 Tuition

About this article
Attending a college or university doesn't have to be expensive. There are a number of schools, including both online and traditional institutions, that offer free tuition or low-cost learning options. Here is a list of 10 colleges and universities that fall into one of these two categories.
View available schools

grad

Where to Find Free and Low-Cost College Tuition

1. Berea College

Every student who attends Kentucky's Berea College receives a full-tuition scholarship worth more than $25,000. Berea also helps students with other costs, such as food, room and board, by providing a work study program. Students also receive a free laptop to use while they are in school. Berea offers the opportunity to major in many different subjects. The most popular majors are business, manufacturing, family studies and human development.

2. Alice Lloyd College

U.S. News and World Report ranks Alice Lloyd College among the best U.S. colleges for graduating with the least amount of debt. This Kentucky school offers guaranteed tuition to any student in the college's 108-county Central Appalachian service area. Students work 10-20 hours each week to pay their way. Alice Lloyd offers degrees in a wide range of fields, as well as pre-professional programs.

3. Webb Institute

The Princeton Review ranks Webb Institute among the Best Value Colleges in America. The school is known for providing a top-notch engineering education along with full-tuition scholarships to anyone who attends. Students live in a mansion while they attend school and participate in paid internships for extra cash.

4. College of the Ozarks

Located in Missouri, the College of the Ozarks is a conservative Christian school that cheerfully discourages student debt. The school has been nicknamed 'Hardwork U' because students work 15 hours each week to graduate tuition-free. The College of the Ozarks favors applicants who are financially needy. Popular majors include business, teaching, education and criminal justice.

5. Curtis Institute of Music

The Curtis Institute of Music offers full-tuition scholarships to everyone who gains admission. The school is very particular when it comes to applicants, accepting only 160 new students each year. Those who do get in can expect to receive an excellent education from one of the best music conservatories in the world.

6. CUNY Teacher Academy

The City University of New York offers full-tuition scholarships to students who enroll in their Teacher Academy. Every student who enrolls is eligible. Students also receive a full-time teaching position in a New York school upon graduation.

7. U.S. Academies

Students who attend any of these U.S. academies receive a full ride. They also receive a monthly stipend in return for service. Although each program is different, most require applicants to obtain a congressional nomination from their state congressional delegation. Applicants must also pass a physical fitness test and meet other requirements.

8. State of Washington Universities

Both the University of Washington and Washington State University offer need-based programs that pay full-tuition and fees. The programs are available to in-state residents who meet State Need Grant or Pell Grant requirements. Special scholarships are also available to out-of-state students who need help covering the cost of tuition.

9. Franklin W. Olin College of Engineering

At one point, the Franklin W. Olin College of Engineering offered a full-tuition scholarship to anyone who attends. The school has since reduced the scholarship policy by 50 percent. Even so, Franklin W. Olin College still offers one of the largest merit scholarship programs in the country to all admitted students.

10. Deep Springs College

Located in Big Pine, California, this accredited two-year college offers full scholarships for each student, valued around $50,000. Students work for these scholarships: they're employed on the school's cattle ranch and alfalfa farm to pay for tuition, room and board and other expenses. The majority of the students from Deep Springs College transfer on to a four-year institution where they complete their bachelor's degree. As of January 2014, Deep Springs College was a men's college; however, the school is pursuing a transition to coeducation.

Popular Schools

  • Online Programs Available
    1. Florida Tech

    Program Options

    Bachelor's
      • BA in Applied Psychology
      • BA in Business Administration/Management
      • BA in Accounting
      • BA in Applied Psychology/Child Advocacy
      • BA in Applied Psychology/Clinical Psychology
      • BA in Applied Psychology/Forensic Psychology
    Associate's
      • AA in Applied Psychology
      • AA in Business Administration
      • AA in Management
      • AA in Marketing
  • Online Programs Available
    2. Grand Canyon University

    Program Options

    Doctorate
      • Ed.D in Teaching and Learning with an Emphasis in Adult Learning - Qualitative Research
      • Ed.D in Teaching and Learning with an Emphasis in Adult Learning - Quantitative Research
      • Doctor of Philosophy in General Psychology: Performance Psychology (Qualitative Research)
      • Doctor of Philosophy in General Psychology: Performance Psychology (Quantitative Research)
      • Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
      • Education Specialist in Teaching and Learning
    Master's
      • M.S. Psychology with an Emphasis in Gerontology
      • M.S. in Psychology with an Emphasis in Human Factors
      • MA in Curriculum and Instruction
      • MS in Psychology: General Psychology
      • M.A. in Communication with an Emphasis in Education
      • M.Ed. in Secondary Education with an Emphasis in Humanities (ITL)
    Bachelor's
      • BS in Psychology
      • B.S. in Psychology with an Emphasis in Performance and Sports Psychology
      • Bachelor of Arts in Communications with an Emphasis in Interpersonal Communication and Human Relationships
      • Bachelor: Business Admin
      • BA in Digital Film - Screenwriting
      • Bachelor: Accounting
  • Online Programs Available
    3. Bryant & Stratton College

    Program Options

    Bachelor's
      • BA - General Management
      • BBA Human Resources Management
      • BBA Medical Services Management
      • BS Human & Social Services
      • General Management (GM) - BBA
      • Health Services Administration - BS
    Associate's
      • Criminal Justice Studies - AAS
      • AS - Business
      • AS - Criminal Justice
      • AS - Accounting
      • AS - Human Resources Specialist
      • AS - IT Networking
    Certificate
      • Business Assistant Diploma
      • Criminal Justice and Security Services Diploma
      • Business - AAS
      • Business Assistant - Diploma
      • Criminal Justice and Security Svcs. - Diploma
      • Accounting Assistant Diploma
  • Online Programs Available
    4. Syracuse University

    Program Options

    Master's
      • Masters of Communications
      • Masters of Science in Computer Science
      • Masters in Accounting
      • Masters in Business Administration
      • Masters in Public Administration
      • Masters of Library and Information Science
  • Online Programs Available
    5. Liberty University

    Program Options

    Doctorate
      • DME: Doctor of Music Education
      • LLM: International Legal Studies
      • EDD: Curriculum and Instruction
      • EDD: Curriculum and Instruction/Elementary Education
      • EDD: Curriculum and Instruction/Middle Grades Education
      • EDD: Curriculum and Instruction/Secondary Education
    Bachelor's
      • Bachelor of Science in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics
    Certificate
      • CTG: Communication
      • CTG: Criminal Justice
      • CTG: Curriculum and Instruction
      • CTG: Higher Education Administration
      • CTG: Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
      • CTG: Psychology
  • Online Programs Available
    6. Pepperdine University Graduate School of Education and Psychology

    Program Options

    Master's
      • Masters in Psychology
      • Masters in Dispute Resolution
      • Masters in Legal Studies
      • Masters in Human Resources
      • Masters in Business Administration
      • Masters in Applied Behavior Analysis
  • Online Programs Available
    7. Penn Foster High School

    Program Options

    High School Diploma
      • HS Diploma
  • Campus and Online Programs
    8. Full Sail University

    Program Options

    Master's
      • Master of Science - Film Production
      • MS - Entertainment Business (Campus)
      • MS - Game Design (Campus)
      • Entertainment Business MS (Campus)
      • Computer Science Masters - Online
      • M.S. - Entertainment Business
    Bachelor's
      • BS - Sportscasting (Campus)
      • Bachelor of Science - Software Development
      • BS - Creative Writing Bachelors (Campus)
      • BS - Film (Campus)
      • BS - Media Communications (Campus)
      • BS - Computer Animation (Campus)
    Certificate
      • Business Certificate (Campus)
      • Computer Science Certificate (Campus)
      • Visual Design Certificate (Campus)
      • Creative Writing Certificate (Campus)
      • Marketing Certificate (Campus)
      • Application Development Fundamentals Certificate (Campus)
  • Campus and Online Programs
    9. The Chicago School

    Program Options

    Master's
      • Dual Degree: MA Counseling Psychology and MS Applied Behavior Analysis
      • M.A. Counseling Psychology
      • M.A. Psychology
      • M.A. Behavioral Economics
      • M.A. Clinical Mental Health Counseling
      • M.A. Forensic Psychology
    Certificate
      • Suicide and Cyberbullying Prevention Certificate
      • Graduate Certificate in Online Teaching and Learning
      • Certificate in Forensic Psychology - M.A. Non-Licensure Track to Licensure Bridge Program
      • Certificate in Behavioral Economics
      • Graduate Certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis
      • Certificate in Organizational Leadership
  • Online Programs Available
    10. Penn Foster

    Program Options

    Certificate
      • Career Diploma - Dental Assistant
      • Career Diploma - Motorcycle Repair Technician
      • Career Diploma - Payroll Clerk
      • Career Diploma - Diesel Mechanics/Heavy Truck Maintenance
      • Career Diploma - Home Remodeling and Repair
      • Career Diploma - Medical Billing and Coding

Featured Schools

The schools and programs listed below are popular educational options, and tuition varies based on program and location

Florida Tech

  • BA in Applied Psychology
  • BA in Business Administration/Management
  • AA in Applied Psychology
  • AA in Business Administration

What is your highest level of education completed?

Grand Canyon University

  • Ed.D in Teaching and Learning with an Emphasis in Adult Learning - Qualitative Research
  • M.S. Psychology with an Emphasis in Gerontology
  • BS in Psychology

What is your highest level of education?

Bryant & Stratton College

  • BA - General Management
  • Criminal Justice Studies - AAS
  • Business Assistant Diploma

What is your high school graduation status?

Syracuse University

  • Masters of Communications
  • Masters of Science in Computer Science
  • Masters in Accounting

What is your highest level of education completed?

Liberty University

  • DME: Doctor of Music Education
  • Bachelor of Science in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics
  • CTG: Communication

What is your highest level of education?

Pepperdine University Graduate School of Education and Psychology

  • Masters in Psychology
  • Masters in Dispute Resolution
  • Masters in Legal Studies

What is your highest level of education completed?

Penn Foster High School

  • HS Diploma

What is your age?

Full Sail University

  • Master of Science - Film Production
  • BS - Sportscasting (Campus)
  • Business Certificate (Campus)

What is your highest level of education?