The college years can be some of the best years of your life. But they can also be a time of great financial stress. The costs of tuition, room and board, and other expenses can quickly add up.
Thankfully, there are a number of colleges and universities that offer free tuition. These schools typically have low student-to-faculty ratios and offer a variety of academic programs.
If you’re looking for a tuition-free college, be sure to check out our list of the best schools. With a little research, you can find the perfect school for you and your budget.
Campus Based Tuition Free Colleges
1. Berea College
Berea College, located in Berea, Kentucky, is one of the top tuition-free colleges in the United States. Founded in 1855, Berea was the first interracial and coeducational college in the South. The college’s mission is to “provide for the education of promising students from low-income families who have great potential but little opportunity.”
Berea College students have the opportunity to participate in a variety of academic and extracurricular activities. The college offers over 30 majors and 50 minors, as well as a number of pre-professional programs. In addition to academics, students can participate in athletics, music, theatre, and a variety of other extracurricular activities.
2. College of the Ozarks
If you’re looking for a tuition-free college experience in the United States, the College of the Ozarks is hard to beat. Nestled in the Ozarks Mountains of southwest Missouri, this unique college has been tuition-free since it was founded in 1907.
Students at the College of the Ozarks pay no tuition, but they do have to work 15 hours per week in one of the college’s on-campus jobs. In addition to their regular coursework, students also take classes in topics like Christian Values, Western Heritage, and Patriotic Education. With a student-to-faculty ratio of just 12:1, the College of the Ozarks offers a personal education experience that is hard to find at other
3. Deep Springs College
Deep Springs College is one of the top 10 tuition-free colleges in the United States. It is located in Deep Springs, California and was founded in 1917. The college has an enrollment of about 26 students, all of whom are male.
The college offers a two-year course of study that combines academic and vocational training. Deep Springs College is accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges.
4. Excelsior College
Excelsior College is located in Albany, New York and was founded in 1971. The college specializes in distance learning and adult education, and is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. Excelsior College does not charge tuition for any of its programs, making it one of the top tuition-free colleges in the United States.
The college offers over 60 degree and certificate programs, as well as a number of professional development courses. Excelsior College is a great option for adult learners who are looking to further their education without incurring any tuition costs.
5. George Mason University
George Mason University, located in Fairfax, Virginia, is a public research university with over 33,000 students. The university was founded in 1957 and is named after George Mason, a Virginian planter and statesman who was a delegate to the U.S. Constitutional Convention. The university is classified as a research university with “high research activity” by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education.
The university offers over 200 degree programs through its 11 schools and colleges. The school of business is the largest, with over 6,000 students. Other popular majors include nursing, psychology, and computer science.
George Mason University is a tuition-free college for Virginia residents.
Tuition Free Online Colleges
1.Alice Lloyd College Alice Lloyd College is a small, Christian liberal arts college located in Pippa Passes, Kentucky, about 15 miles from the Virginia border. The college was founded in 1926 by the Presbyterian Church and currently serves around 800 students. The college offers a traditional liberal arts education with majors in areas such as English, history, political science, economics, and philosophy.
2.Arizona State University Arizona State University is a public research university located in Tempe, Arizona, about 15 miles east of Phoenix. The university was founded in 1885 as the Tucson School District. It was later renamed as the Arizona State School of Science and Letters, then as Arizona State College in 1928, and finally as Arizona State University in 2012.
3.Brown University Brown University is a private research university located in Providence, Rhode Island. The school was founded in 1764 and is the third-oldest institution of higher education in the United States. The university is ranked 22nd among national universities by the TIME and is listed 29th by US News & World Report.
4.City College of San Francisco City College of San Francisco, also known as City College, is a two-year community college located in San Francisco, California. The school was founded in 1929 and serves around 44,000 students each semester. The college is renowned for its liberal arts for transfer programs and its science, technology, engineering, and mathematics programs.
5. College of the Ozarks
The College of the Ozarks, often simply referred to as CO, is a private, liberal arts college located near the Buffalo River in Point Lookout, Missouri. The college was founded in 1925 by Clinton E. Norwood in order to teach students in a rural environment without charge. The college motto is Learning for Life.
Do Military Colleges Charge Tuition?
Students who attend the U.S. Military Academy, U.S. Air Force Academy, U.S. Naval Academy, U.S. Coast Guard Academy, and U.S. Merchant Marine Academy get a full tuition-free education.
Who Should Consider A Tuition Free Education?
If you are looking to save money on college tuition then a community college may be the way to go. These schools are usually located in or very near major cities and offer lower tuition as well as the same credits accepted at other four-year institutions.
You might also consider one of the colleges and university on our list including a tuition free campus based education, or an online alternative.
Featured Resources: What Is A Pell Grant?