Earning a degree online for free might seem like a dream. However, some colleges and universities are making this dream come true by offering free education opportunities, including free or mostly free online degree programs.
In this article, we’ll examine why free education is necessary in the United States, discuss some types of free courses available, and point you toward institutions that offer the best opportunities for students who need financial assistance.
The Rising Cost of College
As any student knows, college is not cheap, and tuition costs are regularly increasing. According to a National Center for Education Statistics study, the average price for a year of education at a private nonprofit college for the 2022-2023 academic year was $40,700, more than enough money to make it out of reach for many prospective students.
Even relatively inexpensive public colleges charge an average of $9,800, which may be more than many individuals can afford. These costs place an undue burden on students, especially those from disadvantaged households, rendering a college education possible only if they take on large debts that they’ll repay over decades.
For some students, merit- and need-based scholarships may help, along with loans, grants, or other funding sources. However, competition for the best funding sources is strong, and the amount may not be enough to offset the remaining costs. For many students, the heavy financial burden makes education seem impossible.
Options to Make College More Affordable
Prospective students interested in an education without the long-term debt that could come with it have options, though. Starting with in-depth research into ways to make college more affordable helps you make plans that align your education goals with your budget. Sometimes, you may need to combine multiple financial aid tools and options to make post-secondary education financially viable.
Online degree programs
While online degree programs aren’t automatically less expensive than their on-campus counterparts, they increase accessibility and options. For instance, you aren’t limited to programs in your geographical location, so you can shop around for a program that meets your academic needs and is friendlier on your wallet.
Scholarships and grants
Many colleges offer close-to-full scholarships or other funding support for students, including those in online degree programs. Some assistance is merit-based, some is needs-based, and some is awarded based on other factors.
If you’re interested in a particular program, schedule a time to speak to a financial advisor at the college or university to see what they can do for you. Don’t give up before you try because you think it will be too expensive.
Here are a few institutions known for giving the best scholarship and grant funding to students:
- Macaulay Honors College of Cuny. This school provides qualifying students a merit scholarship package and other financial aid. If you meet the in-state residency requirement, you may be able to graduate from a 4-year program tuition-free.
- Curtis Institute of Music. Curtis Institute was the first music conservatory to offer a MOOC class on Coursera. Since it launched in 2013, Curtis’s courses on a range of music-focused topics have been viewed by more than 150,000 people in 185 countries. The school also offers full-tuition scholarships to all students based on merit and financial assistance to help cover living expenses.
- Warren Wilson College. Located outside Asheville, North Carolina, Warren Wilson College offers free tuition for N.C. residents eligible for federal or state need-based financial aid. The school offers online courses through the Acadeum College Consortium, a network of colleges and universities that share online resources.
- Vanderbilt University. The Peabody College at Vanderbilt offers graduate students numerous merit-based, needs-based, and other financial aid options.
Work studies and assistantships
Many colleges offer programs that let students offset tuition costs through work. For instance, you might trade hours in campus food, library, or hospitality service for full or partial room and board. Work studies often allow students to gain experience in their chosen career path while reducing education costs, and graduate students might take part in assistantships that let them flex their teaching or research skills for a reduction in tuition.
Mostly free accredited degree programs
One of the most promising free or low-cost online education options comes from the University of the People. This accredited university charges no tuition, although students do pay some fees. The university is 100% online. Multiple corporate and philanthropic partners, from Meta to the United Nations, support the institution, allowing it to offer a tuition-free educational experience for students across the globe.
University of the People offers a range of certificate programs, as well as associate, bachelor’s, and master’s degrees. Bachelor’s degree programs include business administration, computer science, and health science. At the master’s level, you can focus on business administration, information technology, or education. For students from outside the United States, a non-degree program is available in English as a second language.
The Distance Education Accrediting Commission, a CHEA-recognized accrediting organization, accredits the university. This means that the programs are rigorously reviewed regularly and held to high academic standards.
Keep in mind that although courses are tuition-free, there are fees involved. The university estimates that a student earning a bachelor’s degree will spend a total of $5,660 during their time at the university, while an MBA degree will cost approximately $4,860.
Alternatives to Degree Programs: Massive Open Online Courses
Massive open online courses, or MOOCs, offer access to high-level academic courses to anyone with an internet connection. They can be found at many colleges and universities, even Ivy Leagues such as Princeton, Harvard, and Yale.
MOOCs are usually asynchronous, meaning they have been taped ahead of time and are available for you to watch when convenient. Thousands of people could end up taking a particular course over a period of time. The courses are generally free and feature lectures and other materials given by faculty members of the sponsoring institution. They cover a broad range of topics, from ancient history to cybersecurity.
If MOOCs sound too good to be true, note that there is one drawback to them: They are not credit-bearing. You cannot earn a degree in any subject by taking MOOCs.
Generally, MOOCs are taken by individuals interested in lifelong learning and who genuinely desire to learn more about a specific topic. They can be a great way to dip your toe in the water and see if a particular career area interests you or to expand your skill set to include some new task or area of expertise.
Interested in a degree instead?
Learn more about online degrees, their start dates, transferring credits, affordability, and more by contacting the universities below.