To find the best tuition-free colleges, we looked at several key factors impacting the quality of education and student life, including the number of credits required to graduate, available delivery formats (i.e., online, on-campus, or both), and the programs offered. Using these factors, we assigned each college an Intelligent Score on a scale from 0 to 100.
We also made sure to carefully review each school’s accreditation. Our list consists of schools accredited by reputable organizations like the Council for Higher Education, the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, and the Western Association of Schools and Colleges. Institutions like these ensure that a given college meets certain standards, giving students confidence that the colleges on our list will provide a high quality education.
An important thing to keep in mind when applying to tuition-free colleges is that these programs typically do not cover expenses such as room and board, books, supplies, transportation, food, and other costs. Students should be prepared to cover these expenses via other sources of financial aid, including scholarships, federal loans, and grants. You should also consider checking to see if your chosen college offers student work programs to help with additional expenses.
You may be worried that attending a tuition-free college means you’ll receive a lower quality education, however, some of the nation’s most prestigious schools offer tuition-free programs for students who can demonstrate financial need. Harvard, for example, offers free tuition for all students whose families make less than $65,000 per year. Make sure to fill out your FAFSA application before applying to schools, as many universities use it to determine whether or not you qualify for financial aid.
Tuition-free programs vary by school. While Ivy League schools like Harvard offer free tuition to students with significant financial needs, others utilize work programs to give students the opportunity to offset the cost of their education. For example, the College of the Ozarks gives every student the opportunity to graduate debt-free through its student work program. Students earn credits by participating in the on-campus work program for 15 hours per week and two 40-hour work weeks per school year. These credits combined with federal or state aid and the university’s cost of education scholarship cover each student’s expenses.