14 universities and grad schools in the US with zero tuition

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14 universities and grad schools in the US with zero tuition

United States Air Force Academy

Wikimedia Commons

The United States Air Force Academy is one of several military academies that offer free tuition.

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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 education, a select few schools cost absolutely nothing.

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).

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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.

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1. Macaulay Honors College at City University of New York (CUNY) — New York, New York

1. Macaulay Honors College at City University of New York (CUNY) — New York, New York

Acceptance rate: 20%

Students per incoming class: 520

Since 2001, this prestigious honors college has offered tuition-free admission to schools in the City University of New York (CUNY) system. Macaulay honors students can attend any four-year university of the eight currently in the CUNY system, including the City College of New York, Hunter College, and Baruch College.

Source: Public University Honors

2. Weill Cornell Medical College — New York, New York

2. Weill Cornell Medical College — New York, New York

Acceptance rate: 5%

Total enrollment: 405

Weill Cornell announced on Monday that it would provide funds for students with financial need. That includes tuition, housing, books, and food.

Source: The Princeton Review

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3. New York University School of Medicine — New York, New York

3. New York University School of Medicine — New York, New York

Acceptance Rate: 6%

Total enrollment: 711

Unlike Weill Cornell, NYU's medical school offers full rides to all medical students enrolled each year. NYU announced the plan in August 2018, saying it had raised $450 million of the desired $600 million to make its medical school free for the foreseeable future.

Source: The Princeton Review

4. Webb Institute — Glen Cove, New York

4. Webb Institute — Glen Cove, New York

Acceptance rate: 35%

Total enrollment: 98

Webb Institute, an undergraduate school, only has 98 students, and it covers tuition for all of them. Students at this college only have one program to choose from: a double major in naval architecture and marine engineering.

Source: Niche

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5. Barclay College — Haviland, Kansas

5. Barclay College — Haviland, Kansas

Acceptance rate: 67%

Total enrollment: 178

This private Christian college offers free tuition for undergraduate students who live on campus, including international students.

Source: Niche

6. Berea College — Berea, Kentucky

6. Berea College — Berea, Kentucky

Acceptance rate: 35%

Total enrollment: 1,615

Berea College offers the Tuition Promise Scholarship, worth over $100,000, to every admitted student. Students may be getting a full ride, but they're also required to work on campus at least 10 hours per week.

Source: Niche

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7. Curtis Institute of Music — Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

7. Curtis Institute of Music — Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Acceptance rate: 3%

Total enrollment: 131

Unlike the other schools on this list, Curtis Institute of Music requires an audition, which explains why the acceptance rate is among the lowest in the nation. Once students get accepted, they only pay an annual $1,700 comprehensive fee.

Source: Niche

Read more: The 20 most exclusive colleges and universities in the US

8. Alice Lloyd College — Pippa Passes, Kentucky

8. Alice Lloyd College — Pippa Passes, Kentucky

Acceptance rate: 26%

Total enrollment: 584

Students from 108 Central Appalachian counties — in states like Kentucky, Ohio, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia — qualify for a full ride at Alice Lloyd College. All students at the college are required to join the student work program.

Source: Niche

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9. College of the Ozarks — Point Lookout, Missouri

9. College of the Ozarks — Point Lookout, Missouri

Acceptance rate: 13%

Total enrollment: 1,477

This Christian private college charges no tuition, and like other schools on this list, students are required to work — at College of the Ozarks, students work 15 hours a week plus two 40-hour weeks at some point during the academic year.

Source: Niche

10. United States Air Force Academy — El Paso County, Colorado

10. United States Air Force Academy — El Paso County, Colorado

Acceptance rate: 12%

Total enrollment: 4,276

Cadets at USAFA pay no tuition, but are required to serve in the military upon graduation. According to the academy's site, to be accepted, students must be "of good moral character" and be between the ages of 17 and 23.

Source: Niche

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11. United States Coast Guard Academy — New London, Connecticut

11. United States Coast Guard Academy — New London, Connecticut

Acceptance rate: 15%

Total enrollment: 1,044

Cadets at the USCGA pay no tuition, but are required to serve in the US Coast Guard for five years upon graduation. Cadets also earn a "modest paycheck," according to the academy's site.

Source: Niche

12. United States Merchant Marine Academy — Kings Point, New York

12. United States Merchant Marine Academy — Kings Point, New York

Acceptance rate: 22%

Total enrollment: 954

Like other military academies, students serve in the military in exchange for waived tuition. Students at USMMA, however, have a "Sea Year," where they travel the world aboard commercial vessels.

Source: Niche

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13. United States Military Academy at West Point — West Point, New York

13. United States Military Academy at West Point — West Point, New York

Acceptance rate: 10%

Total enrollment: 4,491

West Point is known for being one of the most rigorous military academies in the US. According to its site, "it's where America cultivates leaders for our nation's future generations." Notable alumni include Ulysses S. Grant, Dwight Eisenhower, and Douglas MacArthur.

Source: Niche

14. United States Naval Academy — Annapolis, Maryland

14. United States Naval Academy — Annapolis, Maryland

Acceptance rate: 8%

Total enrollment: 4,495

Students at USNA, also called midshipmen, must serve five years as an officer in the Navy or Marine Corps after graduation, followed by the reserves.

Source: Niche

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