Best Tuition-Free Colleges In The U.S. (2024)

Brown University, a private, Ivy League research university founded in 1764, enrolls over 9,700 students in full array of undergraduate, graduate, and processional programs. Brown is the only major research university in the nation where undergraduates are the architects of their own course of study. It is often considered the most liberal of the Ivy League Schools. Brown has more of an undergraduate focus than other top-ranked universities.

Brown University, a member of the Association of American Universities, is often recognized for its global reach, numerous campus groups, active community service programs, and many cultural events. Its students come from over 100 different countries, and it boasts a 7-to-1 student/faculty ratio.

U.S. News & World Report ranks Brown University #14 among Best National Universities.

Brown University has a 9% acceptance rate and a first year retention rate of 98%. SAT test scores (25th/75th percentile) are as follows: Critical reading: 680/780; math: 690/790.

Families with total parent earnings of less than $60,000 and assets of less than $100,000 are not required to make a financial contribution to their child’s education. Undergraduate students with a total parent income of less than $100,000 do not have a loan component in their award. Tuition and fees costs $51,366 per year and the total direct and indirect costs are $68,106.

Brown University meets 100% of a student’s full, demonstrated need. Forty-six percent of the class of 2016 received need-based scholarships; the average need-based scholarship is $40,209.

The student contribution from summer earnings is a standard contribution required for all students. An academic year work-study/campus employment expectation is part of the federal financial aid program.

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

Columbia University, a private Ivy League research university founded in 1754, enrolls nearly 30,000 students in a fully array of degree programs. Columbia University is a founding member of the Association of American Universities.

The university houses three undergraduate schools: Columbia College, the School of General Studies, and The Fu Foundation School of Engineering. Columbia also has a number of graduate and professional schools. The university offers more than 100 majors and concentrations. Columbia University boasts a 6-to-1 student/faculty ratio. Over 90% of students live in on-campus housing.

Columbia University ranks #5 on the U.S. News & World Report 2018 list of the Best National Universities. Columbia University accepts about 7% of applicants, and has a 97% first-year retention rate. SAT test scores (25th/75th percentile) are as follows: Critical reading: 700/790; math: 710/800.

Parents with calculated incomes of less than $60,000 and with typical assets are not expected to contribute any income or assets to tuition, room and board, or mandatory fees. No student qualifying for Columbia financial aid is expected to take out loans as part of his or her financial package.

Families with calculated incomes between $60,000 and $100,000 have a reduction in their parent contributions. The university has no official income ceiling for financial aid eligibility. It reports that many families with calculated incomes over $100,00 receive financial aid packages.

For students participating in the study abroad program, community service opportunities, internships, and research, Columbia University provides additional funding and exemptions from academic year and summer work expectations.

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

Cornell University, a private Ivy League research university founded in 1865 enrolls over 22,000 students across seven undergraduate and seven graduate divisions at its main Ithaca campus. The university offers a full array of undergraduate and graduate degree programs. It also administers two satellite medical campuses, one in New York City and one in Education City, Qatar.

U.S. News & World Report ranks Cornell University #14 in the 2018 edition of the Best National Universities list. Cornell University is also ranked #14 in the world by QS World University Rankings.

The university is a member of the Association of American Universities. Its research spans a wide array of subjects, ranging from the basic and theoretical to applied research.

Cornell University boasts a 9-to-1 student/faculty ratio, with students 122 different countries. Cornell has a 14% acceptance rate and a 97% freshman retention rate. SAT test scores (25th/75th percentile) are as follows: Critical reading: 650/750; and math: 680/780.

Parents with a combined income of less than $60,000 and assets totaling less than $100,000 pay nothing for their child’s education. Students contribute money from a summer job and a small amount of money from savings. The total estimated cost of attending Cornell University for one year is $67,613, which includes tuition, student activity fees, housing, dining, books and supplies, personal expenses, and travel expenses.

Cornell University doesn’t have a standard “income bracket” or ceiling for grant-aid recipients; rather, eligibility is determined on a case-by-case basis. The university doesn’t have a minimum or maximum amount of grant awarded. Income, family size, and assets, as well as the number of children in college, are all factors for calculating the amount a family is required to contribute.

Cornell University 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.

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 circ*mstances.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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