4 Online Colleges With Free iPads for Students 2026

If you're comparing programs and hoping to cut costs on classroom tech, tracking down online colleges that offer free laptops or even iPads can be a smart place to start. A handful of schools build a tablet directly into the online student experience, saving you the cost of buying one separately while giving you a device that's already set up for coursework, textbooks, and staying connected with instructors.

Below, we'll highlight online colleges with confirmed, documented iPad programs available to distance learners and online students specifically. 

Do Online Colleges Offer Free iPads?

Some online colleges do offer free iPads or provide ways for students to get a free iPad for college, but it's a benefit tied to a small number of specific schools and programs rather than something available everywhere. Many "free laptop" lists lump on-campus and online programs together, so it's worth confirming that a program actually extends the perk to fully online students before counting on it.

It's also worth understanding how "free" a program really is. Some schools cover the full cost of the device with no separate charge, while others bundle it into a mandatory technology or mobile device fee that's part of your overall costs either way. Neither approach means you're being tricked, but knowing which model a school uses can help you understand what you're actually paying for. 

Online Colleges With Free iPads for Students

Each of the schools below has a documented iPad program that specifically extends to online students, not just those learning on campus. Details on eligibility and what's included vary, so it's worth reading the fine print for any program you're considering.

1. Hiram College

Located in Hiram, Ohio, Hiram College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) and offers a range of undergraduate and graduate programs through Hiram Online, including bachelor's degrees in fields like accounting alongside graduate offerings delivered entirely through distance learning. The college's small class sizes and liberal arts foundation carry over into its online programs, giving remote students the same close faculty interaction as their on-campus peers. It’s one of the best STEM colleges in Ohio.

Through Hiram's 1:1 Device Program, all full-time traditional and online students, along with faculty and staff, receive the latest generation of Apple technology to use throughout their studies. The cost is built into the college's standard technology fee rather than charged separately, and students who withdraw or are withdrawn must return their device, while those on an approved leave can hold onto it for one semester before returning it.

2. St. Mary's University of Minnesota

St. Mary's University of Minnesota, based in Winona, Minnesota, holds accreditation from the HLC and offers a substantial catalog of fully online graduate programs, including degrees in business, education, public administration, and international development. The university has built its online delivery specifically around mobile learning, aiming to give working adult students flexible access to coursework wherever they are.

Students enrolled in St. Mary's online graduate programs, including its Master of Social Work, are issued an iPad preloaded with the university's learning management system and productivity apps as a standard part of enrollment. The device supports coursework such as accessing readings, submitting assignments, and connecting with faculty and classmates, making it a built-in feature of the online experience rather than an optional add-on.

3. University of Kentucky 

The University of Kentucky, based in Lexington, is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) and offers more than 80 fully online undergraduate and graduate degrees and certificates through UK Online, spanning fields from communication to information technology. Degrees earned through UK Online carry the same University of Kentucky name as their on-campus counterparts, with no distinction made on diplomas or transcripts.

Through the university's Smart Campus initiative, incoming first-year and transfer students, including those enrolled in fully online programs, may be eligible to receive an iPad as part of their enrollment. UK Online students who qualify are contacted directly to arrange delivery of their device, while graduate students and teaching assistants are not currently eligible under this particular program.

4. University of Rochester School of Nursing

The University of Rochester, located in Rochester, New York, is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE), and its School of Nursing offers a 100% online RN to BS completion program designed for working registered nurses pursuing a bachelor's degree. The program builds on nursing licensure students already hold, layering in coursework focused on leadership, evidence-based practice, and population health.

As part of the school's iROC Initiative, RN to BS Online students receive an iPad loaded with course materials and interactive tools used throughout the program, with the device cost included in a mobile device fee rather than billed as a separate purchase. Students who already own a qualifying iPad have the option to opt out and use their personal device instead, provided it meets the program's technical requirements.

How We Rank Schools

To create this list, we review data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard and the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), along with program-level details published by each university. From there, we narrow our selections based on a few key factors that matter most to online students considering a school with a free iPad program.

• Accreditation: Each school holds accreditation from a nationally or regionally recognized organization, such as the HLC, SACSCOC, or MSCHE, ensuring the quality and transferability of its programs.
• Confirmed Online Eligibility: Every school on this list has a documented iPad program that explicitly extends to online students, not just those learning on campus.
• Online Program Variety: We prioritized schools offering a solid range of fully online degrees and certificates, giving students options beyond a single program tied to the device benefit.
• Program Transparency: Each school clearly outlines what the iPad program includes, such as eligibility requirements and whether the device is fully free or built into a mandatory technology fee.

Learn more about our ranking methodology. 

How to Choose an Online College With a Free iPad Program

A free iPad is a nice perk, but it shouldn't be the deciding factor in choosing an online college. Weighing a few key details alongside the device benefit can help you find a program that actually fits your goals.

• Start with accreditation and program fit. Make sure the school offers your intended degree and holds accreditation recognized by the U.S. Department of Education before considering any added perks.
• Confirm the device program applies to your specific enrollment. Some schools limit free iPad programs to certain degree levels, majors, or class years, so verify eligibility for your exact program rather than assuming it applies campus-wide.
• Compare overall program cost, not just the device. A free iPad won't offset a program that costs significantly more than comparable options, so look at total tuition and fees together.
• Check how the program fits your learning style. An iPad-based curriculum may suit some online students better than others, depending on how much of your coursework involves reading, writing, or hands-on assignments.

What to Know Before Enrolling in a Free iPad Program 

Once you've found a school with a free iPad program that fits your goals, it helps to understand exactly how the program works before you enroll. A few details can vary significantly from school to school.

• Whether it's truly free or fee-based. Some programs cover the device at no extra cost, while others build it into a mandatory technology or mobile device fee included in your overall costs.
• What's included with the device. Programs differ in whether they provide accessories like a case, keyboard, or Apple Pencil, along with protection like AppleCare or a manufacturer warranty.
• Whether you keep the iPad after graduation. Some schools let students keep the device permanently, while others require it to be returned if you withdraw, transfer, or take a leave of absence.
• Eligibility limits tied to your enrollment. Confirm whether the program applies to incoming students only, specific programs, or all currently enrolled online students, since requirements vary widely.  

FAQs About Online Colleges With Free iPads for Students

Still have questions about how these programs work? Here are answers to some of the most common ones students ask.

Do All Online Students at These Schools Qualify for a Free iPad?

Eligibility depends on the specific school and program, since some free iPad programs are limited to certain degree levels, majors, or class years rather than every online student. It's worth confirming eligibility for your exact program before enrolling with the device benefit in mind.

Is the iPad Really Free, or Is It Built Into Tuition?

It depends on the school. Some programs cover the device at no additional cost, while others include it as part of a mandatory technology or mobile device fee that's part of your overall costs either way.

Can I Keep the iPad After I Graduate?

In many cases, yes, though policies vary by school. Some programs let students keep the device permanently after graduation, while others require it to be returned if a student withdraws, transfers, or takes a leave of absence before completing their degree.

What if I'm Not Eligible for My School's iPad Program?

If you don't qualify for a free iPad through your school, you may still be able to lower the cost of a device through Apple's education pricing or other retail student discounts. 

Are There Other Ways to Get a Free or Discounted iPad if My School Doesn't Offer One?

Beyond school-specific programs, options like Apple's Education Store pricing, seasonal student promotions, and putting a financial aid refund check toward the purchase can all help lower the cost. Comparing these alternatives can be worthwhile if a free device program isn't part of your school's offerings.

Find Your Perfect Online Program

A free iPad can be a genuine perk of enrolling in the right online program, but it's worth treating it as a bonus rather than the main reason to choose a school. If you're still exploring your options, take a look at more resources on Learn.org to compare schools, understand financial aid, and find the programs that best fit your goals.