17 Tuition-Free Colleges
Some schools don't charge tuition.
Want to go to college but wish you could avoid paying tuition? It's possible. Schools throughout the country offer free tuition to admitted students. But read the fine print. Students may have to hail from a certain state or region or come from a low-income background. Some schools require on-campus work or service after graduation. Pamela Rambo, founder of the education-focused Rambo Research and Consulting firm in Virginia, says most still charge room, board and other fees, so they may not be completely free. "It is a big savings, but it's not for everybody," she says. "There are lots of ways to look at going to college for less money." See 17 of these tuition-free colleges, listed in alphabetical order, by clicking through this slideshow. This list does not include community colleges, institutions that temporarily eliminated tuition costs due to the coronavirus pandemic or those experimenting with tuition-free models for a small cohort of students.
Alice Lloyd College (KY)
This small school in 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 for Alice Lloyd College's free tuition program. All students take jobs through the student work program. Tasks include maintenance, food preparation, office administrative work and other duties.
U.S. News rank: 31 (tie), Regional Colleges (South)
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 $18.87 an hour in the first term of the program and up to $29.73 an hour upon completing the final term. A typical apprenticeship lasts four to five years. Upon completion, students receive a certificate.
Since it is a trade school, U.S. News does not rank The Apprentice School.
Barclay College (KS)
Students at this private Christian college in Kansas attend tuition-free if they live on campus. All full-time students at Barclay College who live on campus 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.
U.S. News does not calculate overall rankings for faith-related schools, including Barclay College.
Berea College (KY)
At Kentucky's Berea College, no student pays tuition. The Tuition Promise Scholarship pays off any remaining tuition costs for all admitted students after the use of other state, federal and institutional aid. The scholarship amounts to nearly $200,000 over four years. Students must work at least 10 hours per week on campus, and they earn roughly $5.60 to $6.80 hourly -- though higher wages are available for certain jobs. Earnings can be used to pay for room, board and books, but students can use up to $1,000 in outside scholarships to pay for books.
U.S. News rank: 30 (tie), National Liberal Arts Colleges
College of the Ozarks (MO)
Full-time students at the College of the Ozarks in Missouri pay no tuition, but part-time students shell out $310 per credit hour. For those attending full time, the tuition waiver requires they work 15 hours a week, plus two 40-hour weeks during the academic year. Both full-time and part-time students pay a $230 health/technology/services fee every semester. The college uses the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, known as the FAFSA, to determine financial need, an admissions requirement for all students. Students can also use Pell Grants -- if they are eligible, as determined by the FAFSA -- to cover additional costs.
U.S. News rank: 1 (tie), Regional Colleges (Midwest)
Curtis Institute of Music (PA)
Prospective students must audition for enrollment into Philadelphia's Curtis Institute of Music, which has offered full-tuition scholarships to all of its undergraduate and graduate students since 1928. A financial aid application is not required but can be filled out to receive additional assistance. While the music school does not charge tuition, Curtis does have annual fees. New and returning students pay a $1,750 comprehensive fee, along with other charges for health services and health care insurance. For the 2021-2022 academic year, the school introduced a $2,000 COVID-19 fee to finance health and safety measures on campus such as on-site testing and personal protective equipment.
U.S. News does not calculate overall rankings for arts schools, including the Curtis Institute.
Deep Springs College (CA)
Students enrolled at California's Deep Springs College don't pay any tuition, although they are expected to provide a small damage deposit and pay for books, travel, health insurance and incidental expenses. In instances of demonstrated financial need, these additional costs can be subsidized as well. The scholarship covers tuition and, unlike many of these tuition-free schools, includes room and board. At Deep Springs, 12-15 students are accepted per year to receive a two-year liberal arts education while working on the school's cattle ranch and alfalfa farm. The school began to enroll women for the first time in 2018 after the California Supreme Court ruled the prior year that the institution could end its male-only admissions policy.
The small school is a two-year liberal arts institution, so it is not included in the U.S. News Best Colleges rankings.
Haskell Indian Nations University (KS)
The Kansas-based tribal university offers 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 living to $715 for those on campus. Each tribe saves around $20,000 per year in tuition and fees for every member sent to Haskell Indian Nations University, according to the school's website.
U.S. News does not calculate overall rankings for tribal colleges and universities, including Haskell Indian Nations University.
United States Air Force Academy (CO)
No tuition or room and board are charged at the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado. After graduation, cadets are required to serve in the U.S. Air Force or U.S. Space Force for at least eight years, with some exceptions. Graduates with flight training, for example, are committed to a minimum of 10 years.
U.S. News rank: 22 (tie), National Liberal Arts Colleges
United States Coast Guard Academy (CT)
Students are also known as cadets at the United States Coast Guard Academy, where tuition and room and board are free, and postgraduate service for five years is required. While saving money on college-related costs, enrolled cadets also earn a salary. Located in Connecticut, the academy overlooks the Thames River.
U.S. News rank: 1, Regional Colleges (North)
United States Merchant Marine Academy (NY)
Students at the United States Merchant Marine Academy in New York, who are referred to as midshipmen, don't pay tuition in exchange for service after graduation. The cost of textbooks, room and board and uniforms are also alleviated. Midshipmen spend a "Sea Year" during college, visiting many countries aboard commercial vessels while receiving hands-on training.
U.S. News rank: 3, Regional Colleges (North)
United States Military Academy (NY)
Tuition and room and board are covered for students, also known as cadets, at West Point in New York. In addition to required military service after graduation, cadets at the United States Military Academy must play on a sports team each semester. With the motto of "every cadet is an athlete," West Point offers intramural, club and NCAA Division I and II teams.
U.S. News rank: 11 (tie), National Liberal Arts Colleges
United States Naval Academy (MD)
By pledging to serve in the U.S. Navy for five years after graduation, enrollees at the United States Naval Academy receive free tuition and room and board. Students at the Annapolis, Maryland, institution, who are known as midshipmen, receive $1,087.80 per month to use toward additional costs like laundry and activity fees.
U.S. News rank: 6 (tie), National Liberal Arts Colleges
University of New Hampshire
Launched in 2017, the Granite Guarantee program at the University of New Hampshire provides full tuition to qualified state residents for up to four years. This is limited to full-time, first-year students who are eligible for the federal Pell Grant, which is awarded to students who demonstrate exceptional financial need. Pell-eligible graduates from the Community College System of New Hampshire who immediately transfer to UNH also qualify for two years of free tuition.
U.S. News rank: 136 (tie), National Universities
Warren Wilson College (NC)
Since fall 2018, this North Carolina work college has provided 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 at Warren Wilson College are required to work between 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 students.
U.S. News rank: 168-222, National Liberal Arts Colleges
Webb Institute (NY)
Webb Institute, a small engineering school in New York state, gives full-tuition scholarships to all students who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents. But international students pay tuition and fees. For the 2020-2021 school year, Webb enrolled 101 students. The school offers one course of study: a dual bachelor's degree in naval architecture and marine engineering. Students can apply for federal loans and grants to cover their room, board and other expenses.
U.S. News does not calculate overall rankings for specialty engineering schools, including Webb Institute.
Williamson College of the Trades (PA)
This faith-based, all-male career college grants associate degrees and teaches trades like masonry, carpentry and horticulture. All students who qualify for need-based aid receive the Williamson scholarship, which could be as high as $33,180 in 2021-2022, exceeding the cost of the school's tuition.
As a trade school, Williamson is not included in the U.S. News Best Colleges rankings.
Other ways to pay less for college
If one of these colleges isn't the school for you, research our 2022 Best Colleges rankings. Follow U.S. News Education on Facebook and Twitter to join the conversation and stay informed about the latest tips and advice on paying for college.
These institutions provide free college tuition.
-- Alice Lloyd College
-- The Apprentice School
-- Barclay College
-- Berea College
-- College of the Ozarks
-- Curtis Institute of Music
-- Deep Springs College
-- Haskell Indian Nations University
-- United States Air Force Academy
-- United States Coast Guard Academy
-- United States Merchant Marine Academy
-- United States Military Academy
-- United States Naval Academy
-- University of New Hampshire
-- Warren Wilson College
-- Webb Institute
-- Williamson College of the Trades
