The United States Air Force Academy is one of several military academies that offer free tuition.
- For families who can't afford higher education, a select few schools don't charge tuition.
- Tuition-free universities include smaller schools like Barclay College and Webb Institute, as well as military academies like West Point and the United States Coast Guard Academy.
- Some graduate programs, like Weill Cornell Medical College and NYU School of Medicine, now offer full rides as well.
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The average tuition cost for public universities increased by 4% for the 2019-20 school year, according to US News & World Report. And with total student debt climbing to $1.5 trillion this year, college has never been a greater financial burden.
Thankfully, for families who simply can't afford higher
Unlike many European countries where free (or ultra-low cost) higher education is widely available, there are only a handful of tuition-free undergraduate universities and graduate programs across the US. The most recent addition is Weill Cornell Medical College, Cornell University's New York City-based medical school, which announced on Monday that it would waive tuition and all other costs (like housing, books, and food) for those who qualify for financial aid.
Other free schools include smaller institutions (like Barclay College and Webb Institute), as well as some prestigious military academies (like West Point and the United States Coast Guard Academy).
Interestingly, some previously tuition-free schools are finding it untenable to remain so. For example, The Cooper Union in New York City didn't charge for tuition until 2013, at which point it began charging students for the first time in over 100 years. (The university is planning to go tuition-free once again within 10 years.)
Here are 14 American universities and graduate programs where tuition is covered.