10 Best Online Colleges That Offer Free Laptops 2026

<p><i>**This webpage may mention free laptop programs offered by various educational institutions. However, please note that the inclusion of any school on this page does not imply or guarantee a free laptop offer. Laptop availability, eligibility requirements, and program details can differ by institution and are subject to change. For the most reliable and current information, please verify directly with the school.**</i> </p> <p>Online programs are a great way for students to earn their degrees, but in order to study online, you need access to a computer. <b>As a result, some online colleges offer laptops to students.</b> </p> <p>Keep reading to discover ten online colleges with free laptops. </p> <h2 id="section---FeaturedOnlineCollegesThatOfferFreeLaptops">Featured Online Colleges That Offer Free Laptops</h2> <p>There are several online colleges that offer laptops to borrow and even a few that give students free laptops. </p> <p>We've listed ten online colleges that either loan or give students free laptops below, in alphabetical order. </p> <h3 id="section---1.CaliforniaStateUniversityBakersfield">1. California State University, Bakersfield</h3> <p>California State University, Bakersfield is a public university in Bakersfield, California. It's part of the California State University system and offers online bachelor's and master's degrees. </p> <p>The university's Student Technology Equity Program (STEP) offers free loaner laptops, tablets, and Wi-Fi hotspots to eligible students. Students will need to fill out an application to be considered. </p> <p>Students can also apply for the Affordable Connectivity Program, which reduces the cost of high-speed internet by $30 per month. </p> <h3 id="section---2.CaliforniaStateUniversityEastBay">2. California State University, East Bay</h3> <p>California State University, East Bay is a public university in Hayward, California. A member of the California State University system, it offers online and hybrid bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees. </p> <p>Students can borrow laptops from the university library. Laptops are available on a first-come, first-serve basis and students can keep them for the entire semester. </p> <p>Laptops come with pre-installed programs like Adobe Reader DX and Office 365. Students are allowed to install software on the laptops, but can't remove pre-installed programs. </p> <h3 id="section---3.CaliforniaStateUniversityFullerton">3. California State University, Fullerton</h3> <p>California State University, Fullerton is a public research university in Fullerton, California. It's another member of the California State University system and offers online bachelor's degrees and certificates. </p> <p>The university offers long-term checkouts through its Center for Equitable Digital Access. Students can borrow laptops, iPads, portable hotspots, monitors, and external graphics cards for the whole semester. </p> <p>Windows laptops are available with Windows 10 and Microsoft Office, while Macbooks are available with MacOS and Microsoft Office. Linux-ready PCs are also available with no OS installed. </p> <h3 id="section---4.ChathamUniversity">4. Chatham University</h3> <p>Chatham University is a private university in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. It offers a handful of bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees online. </p> <p>Incoming first-year undergraduate students all receive a 13-inch MacBook Air thanks to the university's Undergraduate 1:1 Program. Students get to keep the laptop after they graduate. </p> <p>Along with the laptop, students will get four years of AppleCare Warranty coverage, SafeWare Accidental Damage Protection, and SafeWare Theft Protection. </p> <h3 id="section---5.DakotaStateUniversity">5. Dakota State University</h3> <p>Dakota State University is a public university in Madison, South Dakota. It offers online associate, bachelor's, master's, and doctoral programs. </p> <p>The university's Wireless Mobile Computing Initiative provides full-time freshmen with a new laptop in the fall. These laptops are configured specifically for Dakota State's academic programs. </p> <p>The laptops come with licensed software pre-installed as well as universal access to networks across campus, warranty protection, replacement batteries, and on-campus Help Desk and repairs. </p> <h3 id="section---6.FullSailUniversity">6. Full Sail University</h3> <p><a href="https://learn.org/browseby/company/Full_Sail_University.html">Full Sail University</a> is a private for-profit university in Winter Park, Florida. It offers online associate, bachelor's, and master's degrees primarily focused on the creative arts. </p> <p>Through Project LaunchBox, the university offers students laptops and other equipment as well as media creation software relevant to their program. The specific technology packages vary between programs. </p> <p>Digital cinematography students receive tools like a camera and access to Adobe Creative Cloud, for example, while game design students receive a VR headset and access to Unreal Engine. </p> <h3 id="section---7.SanDiegoStateUniversity">7. San Diego State University</h3> <p><a href="https://learn.org/browseby/company/San_Diego_State_University.html">San Diego State University</a> is a public research university in San Diego, California. It's part of the California State University system and offers bachelor's and master's programs online. </p> <p>The university library offers semester-long laptop and tablet rentals and also allows students to borrow things like cameras and audio equipment. </p> <p>Available laptops include MacBook Pros, Dell Windows laptops, and Chromebooks. iPads, webcams, external drives, mice, and keyboards are also available. </p> <h3 id="section---8.StrayerUniversity">8. Strayer University</h3> <p><a href="https://learn.org/browseby/company/Strayer_University.html">Strayer University</a> is a private for-profit university headquartered in Washington, D.C. It offers online associate degrees, bachelor's degrees, master's degrees, and certificate programs. </p> <p>Online bachelor's degree students receive a brand-new laptop that comes preloaded with Microsoft software. Laptops are shipped a few weeks before the first term begins. </p> <p>Once students have completed three quarters, the laptop is theirs to keep. Some students who are part of particular programs do not qualify for the free laptop. </p> <h3 id="section---9.UniversityOfArkansasGrantham">9. University of Arkansas Grantham</h3> <p>University of Arkansas Grantham is the online campus of the public University of Arkansas system. The university is based in Little Rock and offers associate, bachelor's, master's, and certificate programs. </p> <p>The university offers a new Lenovo laptop to students after they begin class. Students get to keep the laptops so long as they complete their first two terms. </p> <p>The laptops come with Windows 11 preinstalled and access to Microsoft Office 365 through the student portal. This program is only available to students in degree programs. </p> <h3 id="section---10.UniversityOfMinnesotaCrookston">10. University of Minnesota Crookston</h3> <p>The University of Minnesota Crookston is a public college in Crookston, Minnesota. It's part of the University of Minnesota system and offers online bachelor's degrees. </p> <p>Students can borrow laptops from the university for the entire semester. The current model is the HP Elitebook, which comes with Windows 10. </p> <p>This program is primarily for students studying on campus, but some online students may qualify. </p> <h2 id="section---FindAnOnlineCollegeThatOffersLaptops">Find an Online College That Offers Laptops</h2> <p>Students can borrow or even keep a free laptop through a handful of online colleges. Check out the featured online colleges that offer laptops above to find the right one for you today.</p>