Top 5 Tuition-Free Online Colleges in Utah
With the ever rising cost of an education, paying for college can seem impossible. Check out our list of colleges and universities with free or low-cost courses and programs.
A college education can seem out of reach for many due to the cost of most degrees and programs. However, there are options to help students from all backgrounds pursue a degree.
From free courses, low-cost universities, and financial aid options, read on to learn how to afford a college education.
Online Colleges and Universities with Free Courses
While universities that offer free courses are uncommon, the state of Utah happens to be home to a university with a substantial offering of free online courses.
Brigham Young University
Brigham Young University, or BYU, is located in Provo, Utah, and was established in 1875. The university is sponsored by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
BYU also has many free online courses. Through its BYU Independent Study program, the university offers dozens of free online courses. Just a few of them are:
- American Government and Citizenship
- Astronomy
- Biology
- Creative Writing
- Drawing
- and many more
While these courses are not for credit, they can be completed entirely online at no cost for the student.
Low-Cost Online Colleges and Universities in Utah
Even though not many colleges and universities offer free courses or degrees, there are a variety of options for an affordable and low-cost education. Here are some of the best low-cost online colleges and universities in Utah.
Salt Lake Community College
Salt Lake Community College is the largest two-year college in the state of Utah. The institution has over ten campus locations throughout the state, and the student body numbers over 60,000.
Through SLCC Online, this community college offers high quality online classes to help students meet their goals in a convenient and flexible environment. These online programs serve nearly 10,000 of SLCC's students a year.
SLCC is also extremely affordable. The cost of tuition for a full time schedule for an in-state student is $2,128 per semester.
University of Utah
The University of Utah is a public university located in Salt Lake City. It is one of the largest educational institutions in the state. They offer many degrees including online degrees.
Through UOnline, students at the University of Utah can complete online degrees that fit their schedule. Both undergraduate and graduate degrees are offered online.
Compared to other universities, the University of Utah is also fairly affordable. The tuition expense for a full academic year of classes is $9,800.
Utah Valley University
Utah Valley University is a public university located in Orem, Utah. The university offers associate's, bachelor's, and master's degrees, as well as certificate programs. More than 40 of them are offered online.
Online students at UVU have access to degrees such as:
- Nursing, BSN
- Psychology, BS
- Marketing, BS
- Engineering and Technology Management MS
- and more
The tuition for a full-time schedule at Utah Valley University for an in-state student is $2,807.
Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University is another public university in Utah that was first established in the late 1800's. Now, the university offers many degrees online, including associate, bachelor's, and master's degree programs.
SUU Online offers degrees that are designed with flexibility and affordability in mind. Students will get the same faculty and as close to the same class experience to in-person classes as possible but with the added convenience and lower cost of online courses.
Online undergraduate tuition rates at SUU for in-state students is $300 per credit hour.
How to Make College Free
Be sure to look into each of these options because they can drastically reduce the amount you will need to pay for an education. They could even make your degree completely free.
Apply for Grants
Grants, which do not need to be repaid, are sums of funding that eligible students can receive to pay for college. They may be received from the federal or local government or individual institutions or organizations.
Eligibility for grants is typically determined based on financial need.
Apply for Scholarships
Scholarships are another source of funding which do not need to be repaid. Unlike grants, scholarships are often merit-based, although are dispensed based upon need.
Every scholarship could have different requirements, so research heavily and apply to as many as possible.
Get Tuition Reimbursement from an Employer
Another great way to get help paying for college that is becoming increasingly common is reimbursement from an employer. Many companies offer their employees tuition assistance to pay for an education.
This is a benefit offered by dozens of companies, so the likelihood that a student's employer has a tuition reimbursement program is high.
Look into Tuition and Fee Waivers
Some educational institutions offer tuition and fee waivers to eligible students. Look into this at your college or university to see if they are offered and if you qualify.
Find a Free or Low-Cost Degree in Utah Today
With knowledge and determination, near anything can be achieved. Equipped with the knowledge of affordable universities and financial assistance options, find a free or low-cost degree in Utah today.