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Tuition Free Universities In USA: Colleges Offering Free Tuition

  • Danielle Slauter
  • Mar 5
  • 9 min read
university of minnesota gate- free college tuition


Student debt is no joke.


According to the College Board, the average debt among students was $29,300 (for those who graduated 2022-2023).


While that's typical for many college graduates, it still sucks having to go out into the "real world" with debt and no financial freedom. School shouldn't be a burden!


Luckily, there are many ways to get funding for your time at college, such as student grants and FAFSA. And there are colleges that offer free college tuition, too.


Below we've got the tuition free universities in the USA. Don't say we never help ya.

Keen to travel while studying? Semester at sea might be something to consider.


In this article:

  • Free tuition colleges

  • Colleges that offer free tuition for low-income

  • Texas colleges that offer free tuition for low-income

  • What colleges offer free tuition for Native American students?

  • Cheapest Ivy League school


Free tuition colleges



Situated in Pippa Passes, Kentucky, Alice Lloyd College is a four-year arts college that dedicates itself to improving higher education to students from the Appalachian area. The college offers undergraduate programs in many fields such as business, humanities, education, natural sciences, and social sciences.


Eligibility for free college tuition:



The Apprentice School is a four to eight-year apprenticeship school that provides hands-on education in shipbuilding trades, leadership, and maritime technology. The college combines practical training and classroom instruction in disciplines like marine engineering, electrical work, and naval architecture.


Eligibility for free college tuition:


  • All students (aged 18 or over)



Barclay College is a Christian liberal arts college located in Haviland, Kansas. The college is dedicated to Christ-centered education and offers undergraduate, as well as graduate, programs in business administration, biblical studies,worship arts, and pastoral ministry.


Eligibility for free college tuition:


  • Student must live in on-campus housing

  • Student must be full-time


Find out what is grad school and if higher education is for you.


Berea College (Kentucky)


Berea College is a private, liberal arts college that is known for its tuition free education. The college was founded in 1855 as the first interracial and coeducational college in the South. Programs on offer at the college include health sciences, humanities, business, and STEM disciplines. Students must work on the campus, gaining hands-on experience in return for free college tuition.


Eligibility for free college tuition:


  • Available to all students



Located in Point Lookout, Missouri, College of the Ozarks is a Christian liberal arts college, with a strong emphasis on faith, service, and character. Students have to work on campus in order to receive free college tuition. Undergraduate programs on offer include: agriculture, business, education, health sciences, and humanities.


Eligibility for free college tuition:


  • Available to all students

  • Must be employed on-campus for 15 hours per week and two 40-hour workweeks per school year.



Students will have to audition to get into the Curtis Institute of Music, one of the most prestigious conservatories. Programs available include: piano, composition, conducting, voice, opera, and orchestral instruments. All students admitted to the college will receive free college tuition.


Eligibility for free college tuition:


  • Available to all students

  • Students must audition to get into the college



Deep Springs College is a two-year liberal arts college with an emphasis on labor, academics, and self-governance. Their curriculum spans areas like social sciences, natural sciences, and humanities, while preparing students for four-year institutions. Only up to 30 students are admitted at a time, so the learning experience is super focused. All students are required to work on the colleges' ranch and alfalfa farm.


Eligibility for free college tuition:


  • Available to all students


Webb Institute (New York)


Webb Institute is an engineering college in Glen Cove, New York. It specializes in marine engineering and naval architecture, and combines hands-on experience with rigorous learning. The student-teacher ratio is low, providing an intimate and high-quality education.


Eligibility for free college tuition:


  • Available only for US citizens and permanent residents


If you're keen to study in New York, we've got the top 10 best universities in New York for you to choose from.



Williamson College of the Trades is male-only and provides students with hands-on education in skilled trades. The college offers degrees and certificates in areas like carpentry, masonry, machine tool technology, power plant technology, and horticulture. The college has strong Christian values and follows a structured and disciplined environment.


Eligibility for free college tuition:


  • Available for all students



Colleges that offer free tuition for low-income



Arkansas State University is a public research university founded in 1909. The college offers undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs in fields like business, engineering, health sciences, agriculture, and humanities.


Eligibility for free college tuition:


  • Arkansas Resident and US citizen

  • 19+ ACT superscore or 990-1010 SAT and 3.00 HS GPA

  • Household income under $70K AGI (Adjusted Gross Income)


Engineering is considered one of the hardest college majors. If that scares you, check out the easiest and hardest college majors so you know what you're getting into.



The University of California is known for its academic excellence and innovation. The college has a wide range of undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs in areas like science, engineering, health sciences, and business. The school also puts an emphasis on cutting-edge research, diversity, and public service.


Eligibility for free college tuition:


  • California resident or have AB 540 status

  • Demonstrate total family income below $80,000 and financial need

  • Be in your first four years as a UC undergraduate (first two for transfer students)

  • Meet other campus basic requirements for UC grant aid (for example, be enrolled at least half-time during the academic year, meet campus academic progress standards, not be in default on student loans, etc.)



The public University of Central Arkansas is known for its strong academic programs and commitment to student success. Offering undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degrees, the university has a lot to offer. Fields include: STEM disciplines, liberal arts, business, and health sciences. It also has top-notch nursing programs and places emphasis on research, leadership, and community engagement.


Eligibility for free college tuition:


  • Be an Arkansas resident

  • Have a household income of $100,000 or less per year

  • Be eligible for Pell grants

  • Apply for the Arkansas Academic Challenge Scholarship



The public research university is located in Durham, New Hampshire. The college offers a wide range of undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs across fields such as engineering, social sciences, natural sciences, and humanities.


Eligibility for free college tuition:


  • First-time, first-year New Hampshire students who are eligible for Federal Pell Grants

  • Pell-eligible transfer students who graduated from the Community College System of New Hampshire


Stanford University (California)


Stanford University is a world-renowned private research university, known for its academic excellence. Since its founding in 1885, Stanford offers undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs across a range of disciplines. The college is consistently ranked as one of the top universities in the world and is home to groundbreaking research and influential alumni.


Eligibility for free college tuition:


  • Undergraduate students from families making under $150,000 per year



Located in Los Angeles, the University of Southern California is a prestigious, private research university offering a broad range of undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs over a range of disciplines. The college is known for its environment of creativity, with a vibrant campus life and state-of-the-art facilities.


Eligibility for free college tuition:


  • Students from U.S. families making $80,000 or less per year


Public vs private college, check out which is right for you.


Warren Wilson College (North Carolina)


Warren Wilson College, based in Asheville, North Carolina, is a liberal arts college known for its commitment to service, sustainability, and work-study opportunities. Offering undergraduate programs in environmental studies, social work, sciences, and creative writing, Warren Wilson College uses a triad approach (work, service, and academics) to create a well-rounded, hands-on education.


Eligibility for free college tuition:


  • In-state students qualifying for federal or state financial aid

  • Twenty-five full-time, first-year or transfer students with a total family income equal to or less than $150,000

  • North Carolina Free Tuition Program students must live on campus and participate in the WWC work program.


Texas colleges that offer free tuition for low-income



The Austin Community College District is known for its high-quality education and diverse range of academic programs. Offering associate degrees, certificates, and continuing education in fields like health sciences, liberal arts, and technology. With a focus on accessibility and student success, the college provides flexible learning options, including online courses, evening classes, and workforce training programs.


Eligibility for free college tuition:


  • You graduate from a high school in the ACC service area (public or private) between spring 2024 and August 2028

  • You graduate from a homeschool program between spring 2024 and August 2028

  • You earned your TX GED® between July 1, 2023 and August 31, 2028

  • You qualify as a Texas resident. The program is not available to out-of-state and international students at this time



The University of Houston provides students with opportunities to gain real-world experience through internships, research projects, and service-learning. The college is also known for its strong athletic programs and offers studies across disciplines like business, engineering, law, social sciences, and the arts.


Eligibility for free college tuition:


  • In-state, first-time, first-year students from families making $65,000 or less per year

Thinking about postgraduate study after your undergraduate but wondering how long does it take to get a master's degree?


Rice University (Houston)


Rice University in Houston, Texas, offers a range of undergraduate and graduate programs in science, engineering, humanities, social sciences, the arts, and business. The college puts a strong emphasis on interdisciplinary learning, innovation, and research opportunities. With an intimate student-teacher ratio, students will receive close mentorship and collaboration from their education.


Eligibility for free college tuition:


  • Undergraduate students from families earning $140,000 or less per year with typical assets



Founded in 1876, Texas A&M University is known for its commitment to public service and academic excellence. Offering a wide range of disciplines such as agriculture, humanities, and social sciences, it puts an emphasis on research and innovation, as well as boasting a proud military tradition and a strong athletics program.


Eligibility for free college tuition:


  • In-state students from families making $60,000 or less per year



What colleges offer free tuition for Native American students?



The University of Arizona puts emphasis on community engagement, global impact, and student success. It's known for its strong academic programs and diverse campus community. Fields of study include engineering, business, space science, and the arts.


Eligibility for free college tuition:


  • In-state undergraduate students enrolled and verified in one of the 22 federally recognized Arizona tribes

  • Hold Arizona residency for tuition purposes

  • Be a domestic, first-year student

  • Hold a minimum 2.5 core unweighted high school GPA through your sixth semester (from an Arizona high school)

  • Enroll full-time (12 + units) at the University of Arizona's main campus



Haskell Indian Nations University is a federally-funded tribal university that provides higher education to Native American students across the US. It's dedicated to preserving and promoting Native American culture, history, and traditions, while providing students with strong academic foundations.


Eligibility for free college tuition:


  • Native American Indian and Alaskan Native students of federally recognized tribes



The University of Oregon, situated in Eugene, is a public research university with a strong commitment to sustainability. It also places high value on research, innovation, and environmental stewardship. Disciplines on offer include business, law, engineering, the arts, and humanities.


Eligibility for free college tuition:


  • In-state, full-time undergraduate students from a federally recognized tribe


University of Utah (Salt Lake City)


Based in Salt Lake City, the University of Utah is known for its academic rigor and strong research programs in areas like engineering, medicine, and computer science. The college provides students with opportunities for hands-on learning and internships. Undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs are available in health sciences, business, humanities, social sciences, and the arts.


Eligibility for free college tuition:


  • Full-time undergraduate students who qualify for resident tuition who are from one of the federally recognized Utah tribes



The public research university Utah State places a strong emphasis on agriculture, natural resources, sciences, and engineering. Students are offered unique opportunities for internships, fieldwork, and community-based projects within a dynamic environment to thrive professionally and academically.


Eligibility for free college tuition:


  • Full-time students enrolled in a certificate, associate, or bachelor's degree program from a federally recognized tribe in and around Utah



Cheapest Ivy League school


Ivy League schools are some of the most prestigious in the country, and with that kind of title comes a fairly hefty price tag.


Below is a table displaying the cost of tuition at each Ivy League school and the total price (tuition, room, board, fees, etc included) for 2024-2025.


College

Cost of tuition

Total cost

Brown University

$65,656

$88,948

Columbia University

$71,170

$93,417

Cornell University

$68,380

$92,150

Dartmouth College

$66,123

$91,312

Harvard University

$56,550

$86,366

Princeton University

$62,400

$87,750

University of Pennsylvania

$60,920

$92,288

Yale University

$67,250

$90,975



The cheapest Ivy League school, according to the data above, is Harvard University, followed closely by Princeton University.


However, don't let the costs sway you from applying to an Ivy League College, there are many different financial aid options available if you're eligible for financial help.



Unlock even more with Student Beans


All your favorite brands at your fingertips, from fashion and beauty to food and drink, available to college students aged 16 and over. Dive into our blog to find tips and advice to help you navigate student life, from applying to college to life after you graduate.


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