Best Tuition-Free Colleges in the U.S.

College of the Ozarks, a private, Christian liberal arts college affiliated with the Presbyterian Church, offers more than 30 majors in a variety of areas. The college also provides pre-professional programs and certificates and pre-professional credentials.

College of the Ozarks has about 1,500 students and a 16-to-1 student/faculty ratio. Alcohol and drugs are prohibited on and off campus as part of a moral code.

College of the Ozarks is ranked #5 in the 2018 edition of the Best Colleges in Regional Colleges (Midwest). The College admits 14% of applicants. SAT test scores (25th/75th percentile) are as follows: Critical reading: 525/566; math: 500/593.

Full-time students at College of the Ozarks receive free college tuition. Ninety percent of applicants are required to show financial need to be accepted. Students are required to work 15 hours a week at an on-campus work station, as well as two, 40-hour work weeks during breaks. The school provides a summer work program to cover the $6,800 cost of room and board.

Accreditation

College of the Ozarks is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).

The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art, commonly referred to as Cooper Union, consists of three schools: the School of Art, the Irwin S. Chanin School of Architecture, and the Albert Nerken School of Engineering. The Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences connect the schools. Each school provides undergraduate degrees and specialized programs. Cooper Union has highly regarded engineering, art, and architecture programs.

Cooper Union hosts a number of research institutes, such as the C.V. Starr Research Foundation and the Institute for Sustainable Design. The college provides degree programs in the fields of fine arts, architecture, and several engineering areas, and also offers a wide range of continuing education and professional certification programs.

In 2018, U.S. News & World Report ranked Cooper Union as #1 among the Best Colleges in Regional Colleges (North).

Cooper Union has a 9-to-1 student/faculty ratio and a 96% freshman retention rate. The institution has 964 students, of which 876 are undergraduates. It accepts about 13% of applicants.

Every registered undergraduate and graduate student receives a free tuition scholarship. Undergraduate and graduate tuition is nearly $22,000 per semester. Every student enrolled in a degree program pays a $925 fee every semester. Students living in student residence pay the regular housing fee of $15,910 per academic year.

Accreditation

Cooper Union is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE).

Curtis Institute of Music, one of the leading conservatories in the world, provides training and education to exceptionally gifted young musicians for careers as performing artists at the highest professional level. The institute provides complete musical training, as well as liberal arts courses.

Curtis Institute of Music provides a performance Diploma, a Bachelor of Music degree, a Master of Music in Opera degree, and a Professional Studies Certificate in Opera.

The institute has 175 students. Students of elementary school and high school age receive training from the same instructors at the same levels of intensiveness as older students. Curtis does not have teaching assistants.

The school's trained instrumentalists hold 16% of the principal chairs of the top 25 U.S. orchestras. More than 60 graduates have performed at the Metropolitan Opera. Two music directors of the New York Philharmonic have come from Curtis Institute.

Graduates of Curtis Institute of Music are regularly among the winners of the most prestigious awards and honors in classical music, including competitions, prizes, and career grants. Graduates have received Pulitzer Prizes, Tony and Grammy Awards, and Guggenheim Fellowships.

Curtis Institute has a 4% acceptance rate, making it one of the most selective in the country. It selects students based on merit. Every applicant must audition in person. The institute does not have minimum or maximum age requirements. Every students receives a full-tuition scholarship. Financial assistance for living expenses is based entirely on need.

Accreditation

The Curtis Institute of Music is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE).

Deep Springs College, located on a cattle-ranch and alfalfa farm in Inyo County, California, educates a highly-select population of students. Founded in 1917, fewer than 1,200 students have graduated over its 100-year history. The college receives between 180 to 250 applicants each year, and enrolls around 15, with 10 more on the waitlist.

The college provides a unique alternative to the first two years of a traditional four-year education program. Over two-thirds of graduates of Deep Springs College have continued on to earn a graduate degree at other institutions.

Deep Springs College, established on the pillars of academics, labor, and self-governance, prepares students for lives of service to humanity. As a student-governed institution, students at Deep Spring College have the primary decision-making authority regarding admissions, curriculum, and hiring of faculty members.

During the admissions process, the college emphasizes academic ability, leadership potential, and a desire to assume active and practical responsibility for the ongoing life of the Deep Springs community.

Deep Springs College accepts SAT and ACT scores, but regards essays and the interview as more important factors in the admission process.

Each of its students receives a full-scholarship valued at over $50,000 per year. Students work, at a minimum, 20 hours per week on the ranch or farm, or in positions related to the college or community.

Accreditation

Deep Springs College is accredited by the WASC Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges.

Macaulay Honors College, a public institution founded in 2001, enrolls over 2,000 undergraduate students in its honors program. The college provides a liberal arts education combining traditional and innovative teaching and learning. Many of its students go on to pursue top graduate programs.

Students enroll in one of eight CUNY colleges through the Macaulay Advising Program. Every student creates a coordinated, individualized, academic program, which includes courses selected from more than 210 majors.

The college provides graduate and professional mentoring, global learning, faculty-student research collaboration, and community engagement. Students of Macaulay Honors College have opportunities to take internships and meet and network with New York's dynamic companies.

The upper-level seminars at Macaulay Honors College allow students to incorporate coursework and their primary research in a collaborative setting. Students can also attend a wide range of semester and yearlong study-abroad programs at universities throughout the world.

All students are required to complete 10 hours of community service in each of their first three years; however, many students complete more hours of community service.

All students at Macaulay Honors College receive a full, undergraduate, tuition-free scholarship (exclusive of fees). They also receive a $7,500 Opportunities Fund grant for global research, study service, and internships, as well as a laptop computer and a Cultural Passport to New York City arts and cultural events. Many students also receive housing support.

Students are required to meet CUNY residency requirements for in-state tuition in order to receive the full-tuition scholarship.

Accreditation

Macaulay Honors College is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE).

Webb Institute, located a private institution founded in 1889, enrolls a tight-knit population of 92 undergraduate students in a top-notch engineering education program.

Webb Institute provides a single undergraduate degree option in naval architecture and marine engineering. It is the only school in the nation devoted to ship-design engineering. The institute does not have teaching assistants.

The academic program involves several engineering disciplines, including marine engineering, mechanical engineering, ship design and systems engineering, electrical engineering, and civil/structural engineering.

During the Winter Work Term, students work in the maritime industry and receive a salary. The institute has a student/faculty ratio of 9-to-1.

Every student at Webb Institute receives a four-year, full-tuition scholarship. Students live on campus, on an estate with a private beach. Student costs are limited to room and board, books, laptop, and software. The cost of room and board is estimated to be $14,400. Students participate in internships to earn money.

Accreditation

Webb Institute is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE).

Duke University, a private research university founded in 1838, enrolls nearly 16,000 students from all over the world. The university encourages students to go abroad to study, conduct research, and perform service. Duke University is a member of the Association of American Universities, and is a part of the "research triangle," along with UNC Chapel Hill and North Carolina State University.

Duke University ranks #9 in the 2018 list of the Best National Universities by U.S. News & World Report, #8 among Top Colleges by Forbes, and #21 in the world by QS World University Rankings.

Duke has about 6,600 undergraduates, and 9,000 graduate and professional students, distributed among 10 schools and colleges, with a 7-to-1 student/faculty ratio.

Graduate programs at Duke include those in the highly ranked Pratt School of Engineering, Fuqua School of Business, School of Medicine, School of Law, School of Nursing, and the Sanford School of Public Policy. Duke University also provides graduate programs through its Divinity School and Nicolas School of the Environment.

Duke accepts about 11% of the applicants and has a 97% first-year student retention rate. SAT test scores (25th/75th percentile) are as follows: Critical reading: 680/770; math: 700/800.

The estimated total cost of attending Duke University for one year is $69,169, which includes tuition, fees, room and board, books, and personal expenses. Parents with an income less than $60,000 and typical assets are not expected to make a contribution to their child's education. First year students have an expected contribution of $2,600, regardless of income.

Accreditation

Duke University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).

Harvard University, a private, Ivy League research university founded in 1636, enrolls over 29,000 students in a full array of undergraduate and graduate programs. Harvard University's history, wealth, and influence make it one of the world's most prestigious universities in the world. The Harvard University Library is the nation's largest academic library and one of the largest in the world.

Harvard University ranks #2 in the 2018 edition of the among the best National Universities by U.S. News & World Report, #1 by Forbes, and #3 among the QS World University Rankings.

Harvard University features a 7-to-1 student/faculty ratio. Harvard has a 5% acceptance rate and a 97% first-year, full-time student retention rate. SAT test scores (25th/75th percentile) are as follows: Critical reading: 710/800; math: 720/800.

Admission to Harvard University is need-blind; however, financial aid at Harvard University is entirely need-based. The University is devoted to meeting the demonstrated need of all students. Due to the Harvard Financial Aid initiative, parents with an income below $60,000 are not expected to contribute to college costs. Home equity and retirement accounts are not considered resources in determining family contribution. Financial aid packages do not include loans.

Families with higher incomes dealing with unusual financial challenges may also qualify for need-based scholarship assistance; however, those with significant assets at all income levels are asked to contribute proportionally more.

Tuition and fees amounts to $47,074, while room and board is $15,951.

Beginning with the Class of 2016, families with incomes between $65,000 and $150,000 will contribute from 0% to 10% of income, and those with incomes above $150,000 will be asked to pay proportionately more than 10%, based on their individual circumstances.

About 70% of students receive some type of financial aid and more than 60% receive need-based scholarships. Students are asked to contribute to cover the cost of their education through term-time and summer work.

Accreditation

Harvard University is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC).

Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), a private research university founded in 1861, enrolls over 11,000 students across five schools and one college.

MIT features an ideal 3-to-1 student/faculty ratio. Part of the Association of American Universities, MIT is highly regarded for its strong emphasis on scientific, technological, and engineering education and research.

MIT is included among the top 10 in many overall rankings of universities. The school's strongest showings, besides in engineering, are in the fields of business, natural sciences, linguistics, economics, and mathematics. The university ranks #5 in the 2018 edition of the Best National Universities list by U.S. News & World Report, and #1 in 2018 by QS World University Rankings.

MIT has an acceptance rate of 8% and an average freshman retention rate of 98%. SAT test scores (25th/75th percentile) are as follows: Critical reading: 700/790; math: 760/800.

The institute provides free tuition with scholarships and grants for students from families with earnings under $90,000 a year. All students receiving aid are expected to pay for a portion of their need via a loan, part-time job, or both. 90% percent of undergraduates work during the term, either on campus or under the Federal Work-Study Program. 72% of students graduate MIT debt-free.

Accreditation

The Massachusetts Institute of Technology is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC).

Princeton University, a private Ivy League research university founded in 1746, enrolls over 8,000 students in a variety of undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs. Among the oldest colleges in the US, the Princeton name is associated with prestige. Its alumni list includes numerous Nobel Laureates, Rhodes Scholars, and Cambridge Scholars, as well as several U.S. Supreme Court Justices.

U.S. News & World Report ranks Princeton University #1 among Best National Universities in 2018, as well as #1 in Best Value Schools. Forbes ranks Princeton as #4 in Top Colleges, and QS World University Rankings list Princeton as #13 in the world.

Per student, Princeton has the largest endowment among universities in the U.S. The college boasts an ideal 5-to-1 student/faculty ratio. Princeton University accepts 7% of its applicants, and has a 98% freshman retention rate. SAT test scores (25th/75th percentile) are as follows: Critical reading: 690/790; math: 710/800.

Princeton University offers a variety of financial aid options, with awards packages determined on a needs-basis. For families earning under $65,000, tuition, fees, and room and board are totally covered. Financial aid at Princeton is available, in varying amounts, for students in economic brackets even extending beyond $250,000 gross annual income. Tuition and fees at Princeton University cost $45,320; including room and board, the coast of attending Princeton for one year comes to $63,690.

Accreditation

Princeton University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE).

Stanford University, a private research university founded in 1891, enrolls over 17,000 students in a full array of programs. Stanford University is a founding member of the Association of American Universities, and consists of seven different schools.

Stanford University features a student-faculty ratio of 10-1. The university values close interaction between undergraduate students and faculty members, strongly supports student participation in research. The university emphasizes multidisciplinary approaches to teaching and research in its many programs.

U.S. News & World Report ranks Stanford at #5 among Best National Universities in 2018, as well as #1 among Best College for Veterans. QS World University Rankings places Stanford University at #2 in the world.

Stanford University has a 5% admission rate and a 98% first-year student retention rate. SAT scores (25th/75th percentile) are as follows: Critical reading: 680/780; math: 700/800. Tuition and fees amount to $47,940, while room and board is $14,601. Parents with an income below $60,000 and typical assets for this income range are not expected to make any financial contribution to their child's education.

For parents with an income below $100,000 and typical assets for this income range, the expected parent contribution is low enough to make sure all tuition charges are covered with need-based scholarships, state and federal grants, and/or outside scholarship funds. Families with incomes at higher levels, usually up to $200,000, may also qualify for assistance, especially if more than one family member is attending college.

Students receiving a financial aid package are expected to contribute to paying for the cost of their education. Most students will contribute at least $5,000 from prior earnings, especially summer earnings, and $2,800 from part-time employment during the academic year. Students are also expected to contribute 5% per year of their savings and investments, if they have any. Students can reduce or eliminate their expected contribution from student earnings by acquiring outside scholarships.

Accreditation

Stanford University is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC).

Texas A&M University, a public research university founded in 1876, is the flagship institution of the Texas A&M University System. The university enrolls a massive student population of over 65,000 in a full array of undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs.

Texas A&M is involved in a broad range of research with projects funded by agencies, including the National Institutes of Health, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, the Office of Naval Research, and the National Science Foundation. The university has formal research and exchange agreements with 100 institutions in 40 countries.

The university consistently ranks among the top 10 public universities every year in enrollment of National Merit Scholars. U.S. News & World Report ranks Texas A&M University as #25 among the Top Public Schools in 2018.

Among its huge student population, Texas A&M has a 21-to-1 student/faculty ratio. The university has 10 academic colleges and offers over 120 undergraduate and 240 graduate degree programs.

The university has highly ranked graduate offerings via its Mays Business School, Dwight Look College of Engineering, and College of Education and Human Development. Texas A&M is one of six United States Senior Military Colleges. Its Corp of Cadets is one of the largest uniformed student bodies outside the service academies.

Texas A&M accepts 67% of applicants, and has a 91% freshman full-time retention rate. SAT test scores (25th/75th percentile) are as follows: Critical reading: 520/640; math: 550/670.

The Aggie Assurance helps students with a family income of less than $60,000. All eligible students receive scholarships and grants to cover the cost of tuition. Many of the students eligible for free tuition also receive other scholarships and grants to help cover the cost of required fees, housing, books, and other educational expenses. The total cost for in-state students is $28,278 per year, and $48,456 for out-of-state students.

Accreditation

Texas A&M University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC), a public research university founded in 1789, enrolls nearly 30,000 students in a full array of undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs.

All undergraduate students receive a liberal arts education. Undergraduate students have the option to pursue a major within the College of Arts and Sciences or within one of the university's professional schools from the time they obtain junior status.

U.S. News & World Report ranks the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill as #30 on it's list of Best National Universities, and #5 in Top Public Schools.

The University of North Carolina provides 300 study abroad programs in 70 countries. The university has one of the highest percentage of undergraduates studying abroad of any public institution.

University of North Carolina has a 27% acceptance rate and a 96% freshman retention rate. SAT test scores (25th/75th percentile) are as follows: Critical reading: 600/700; math: 610/720.

The Carolina Covenant at UNC promises that youth from low-income families eligible for the program can graduate with a bachelor's degree and no debt. To be eligible for the Carolina Covenant, students must be enrolled at the school as a full-time undergraduate student, be dependent on a parent whose income is no more than 200% of federal poverty guidelines and not have other resources to pay for college, meet citizen requirements, and meet eligibility standards for federal financial aid programs.

Students from any state are considered for the Carolina Covenant. In-state tuition and fees cost $8,834, and out-of-state tuition and fees cost $33,916. Room and board costs $11,218.

Accreditation

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).

Vanderbilt University, a private, research university founded in 1873, enrolls over 12,000 from more than 90 countries. Vanderbilt University has an 8-to-1 student/faculty ratio. Due to the university's emphasis on research, it is a member of the Association of American Universities.

U.S. News & World Report ranks Vanderbilt University at #14 on its 2018 list of the Best National Universities.

Vanderbilt provides 70 undergraduate majors; students can also create their own majors. The university's study abroad program is provided in over 25 countries.

The university accepts about 11% of applicants and has a 97% retention rate. SAT test scores (25th/75th percentile) are as follows: Critical reading: 700/790; math: 720/800.

Tuition and fees per year cost an estimated $45,610. The estimated total cost of attending Vanderbilt University is $64,654 per academic year, including tuition, fees, room and board, and books. In 2015-2016, 68% of undergraduate students received some type of financial assistance from one or more sources. All students with demonstrated financial need receive grant/gift assistance instead of loans.

Vanderbilt University meets 100% of a family's demonstrated financial need. Financial aid awards do not include loans. The median award for families in the income range of $0 to $40,000 is $59,147, and the awards range from $31,748 to $63,940. The average financial aid package for first-year students entering the university in 2012 who received need-based assistance (including Vanderbilt funds) consisted of 97% gift aid and 3% work.

Accreditation

Vanderbilt University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).

Yale University, a private, Ivy League research university founded in 1701, enrolls over 12,000 students in a wide array of undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs. As member of the Association of American Universities, Yale has the top-ranked law school in the country, as well as highly ranked school of medicine, management, nursing, and art.

Yale University features a 6-to-1 student/faculty ratio and has over 450 active organizations on campus.

Besides thoroughly studying their chosen field, students are expected to explore three important areas of knowledge: the social sciences, the humanities and arts, and the natural sciences.

Students live in one of the residential colleges during their time at Yale. The university is well known for its secret societies. The faculty is known for its special devotion to undergraduate teaching. Many of the university's most distinguished professors teach introductory courses and advanced seminars to undergraduate students.

U.S. News & World Report ranks Yale University #3 in the 2018 list of Best National Universities by. Yale University has a 6% acceptance rate and a 99% first-year student retention rate. SAT test scores (25th/75th percentile) are as follows: Critical reading: 710/800; math: 710/800.

The total cost of attending Yale is about $68,950 per year, which includes tuition, room and board, books, and personal expenses. Families with a total gross income of less than $65,000 are not expected to make a contribution for their child's education. Yale University meets 100% of demonstrated financial need. The expected annual parent contribution is $10,000; however, more than 10% of Yale University undergraduate families are expected to pay nothing for the education.

The estimated family contribution includes a contribution out of the student's assets, if appropriate, along with income from summer earnings, which is standard for most undergraduate students.

Accreditation

Yale University is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC).