7 Companies With 100% Free Tuition at Purdue Global 2026

Purdue Global is the online arm of the Purdue University system, built specifically for working adults who need a flexible, accredited path to a degree. The school carries the same regional accreditation as its parent institution, and its program lineup leans heavily toward fields like nursing, business, IT, and criminal justice, areas that line up well with the kinds of roles found at large employers offering education benefits.

A handful of major companies have set up partnerships that cover 100% of tuition for employees pursuing a degree at Purdue Global. Below, you'll find which employers offer that coverage, what the benefit actually includes, and how eligibility works so you can figure out whether your employer's program qualifies.

Do Companies Offer Free Tuition at Purdue Global?

Tuition reimbursement or assistance is a common employee benefit. Several companies cover 100% of tuition for employees pursuing a degree at Purdue Global, though the structure of that coverage varies by employer. Some pay for any Purdue Global program in their catalog, while others limit full coverage to a curated list of approved degrees, with other programs falling under a standard reimbursement cap instead.

Eligibility rules differ just as much as coverage structures do, so qualifying at one company doesn't guarantee you'd qualify for another employer's version of the benefit. Checking directly with your employer remains the most reliable way to confirm what applies to your specific situation.

How Do Employee Tuition Benefits Work With Purdue Global?

Purdue Global's employer partnerships run through a mix of arrangements rather than a single shared network. Some companies, including Chipotle, Lowe's, and Regions Bank, administer their benefit through Guild, a third-party platform that manages enrollment and payment on the employer's behalf. Others work through different channels entirely: Papa John's and Taco Bell route their benefits through Bright Horizons EdAssist and InStride respectively, while Disney and Walmart maintain more direct arrangements with Purdue Global as part of their broader partner school networks.

Coverage structures also vary across these employers. Some cap contributions at a set dollar amount per year, commonly $5,250 to align with the IRS tax-free threshold, while others structure the benefit around a curated list of "select" programs that receive full coverage regardless of the annual cap that applies elsewhere in their catalog. Since these details differ by company and can shift over time, confirming your specific benefit structure with your employer or the relevant third-party administrator is the only way to know exactly what you're working with.

7 Companies That Offer 100% Free Tuition at Purdue Global

Purdue Global's employer partnerships span a mix of administrators and coverage structures, so the details of what's covered and how to qualify shift from company to company. Below is a look at each employer's specific Purdue Global benefit, including who qualifies and what's actually included.

1. Chipotle

Chipotle's Cultivate Education program, administered through Guild, includes Purdue Global among its featured partner schools. Crew members and other employees become eligible after roughly four months on the job, and Chipotle covers 100% of tuition upfront for a curated list of select Purdue Global programs, while other programs outside that list fall under a $5,250 annual cap instead.

Purdue Global's business, technology, and criminal justice programs tend to align well with the fields Chipotle prioritizes in its select program list, though the specific set of covered majors can shift over time. Because of that, confirming which Purdue Global programs currently qualify for full coverage through Guild is worth doing before enrolling.

2. Disney

Disney employees can pursue a Purdue Global degree through Disney Aspire, the company's education benefit administered through Guild. Purdue Global joined Disney's partner network in 2020, and eligible full-time and part-time cast members can access 100% tuition coverage up to $5,250 per year. Employees become eligible after 180 days on the job for part-time and hourly roles.

Disney pays Purdue Global directly rather than reimbursing employees after the fact, so there's no upfront cost for approved programs. The benefit currently applies to associate and bachelor's degrees rather than graduate programs, making it a solid option for cast members working toward their first degree.

3. Lowe's

Lowe's offers Purdue Global coverage through its education benefits program with Guild, and Purdue Global is named specifically among its roughly 20 partner schools. Associates pursuing a select associate or bachelor's degree through Purdue Global receive 100% tuition coverage, while other Purdue Global programs outside that list are eligible for up to $2,500 per year, a lower annual cap than several other employers on this list.

Purdue Global's generous transfer credit policy can be especially useful for Lowe's associates working within that smaller $2,500 cap, since accepted transfer credit reduces the number of terms needed to finish a degree and stretches the annual benefit further. Required books and fees are also covered or reimbursable for programs in the Guild network, up to the applicable funding cap.

4. Papa John's

Papa John's covers Purdue Global tuition through its Dough & Degrees program, and Purdue Global was actually the founding partner school when the program launched in 2019. The benefit pays 100% of tuition, books, and fees upfront for eligible corporate team members, administered through EdAssist by Bright Horizons. Eligibility requires just 10 hours of work per week and 60 days of employment, a notably low bar compared to many other employers on this list.

Full coverage applies specifically to corporate-owned store employees. Team members at franchise locations may still have access to discounted tuition through the same partner network, but the rate and terms vary by franchise operator, so confirming coverage directly with a specific location matters here more than it does with company-owned programs.

5. Regions Bank

Regions Bank offers tuition-free degrees through Guild, with Purdue Global named among the more than 15 partner schools in its catalog. Associates can pursue an associate or bachelor's degree at Purdue Global tuition-free, and eligibility begins on an associate's first day of employment for both full-time and part-time staff. The benefit also covers college prep coursework and has since expanded to include tuition-free certificate programs in fields like business, software development, and data analytics.

Regions structures its Purdue Global benefit around high-growth fields, including business administration and data analytics, which lines up well with Purdue Global's own strengths in those areas. Because the benefit is available to associates regardless of role, it's one of the more broadly accessible options on this list.

6. Taco Bell

Taco Bell's Tacos and Tuition program, run in partnership with InStride, includes Purdue Global among its catalog of more than 3,000 online programs. Coverage extends to several Purdue Global degrees specifically, including business administration, information technology, and healthcare administration at the bachelor's level, along with an MBA. The benefit provides upfront tuition coverage with no out-of-pocket cost, and access now extends to participating franchise locations as well as corporate and company-owned restaurants.

Purdue Global also grants credit for prior learning and relevant work experience, which can shorten the time needed to finish a degree for employees who've spent years in restaurant operations. Taco Bell pairs this benefit with the Live Más Scholarship, a separate award of $5,000 to $25,000 available to employees and their family members.

7. Walmart

Walmart pays 100% of tuition and required books with no annual cap through its Live Better U program (LBU), and Purdue Global is named among its official academic partner schools. Both full-time and part-time associates qualify starting on day one, and the benefit extends to Sam's Club employees as well. Walmart pays Purdue Global directly rather than reimbursing associates after the fact.

Purdue Global's business, IT, and criminal justice programs give Walmart associates a solid range of career-focused fields to choose from, and coverage extends to required fees and technology costs on top of tuition itself. There's no requirement to remain at Walmart after finishing a degree, giving associates flexibility in how they use the credential once earned.

How Do I Qualify for Free Tuition at Purdue Global Through My Employer?

Qualifying for one of these benefits depends heavily on which of the seven companies you work for, since eligibility requirements differ across the group. Disney requires 180 days on the job for part-time and hourly roles, Papa John's sets a lower bar of 60 days and just 10 hours of work per week, and Regions Bank extends eligibility to full-time and part-time associates starting on day one. Chipotle, Lowe's, and Taco Bell fall somewhere in between, typically requiring a few months of tenure before you can enroll.

A few of these programs also come with structural limits worth checking before you apply. Papa John's and Taco Bell both reserve full coverage for corporate-owned locations, with franchise employees generally receiving a discounted rate instead. Confirming these specifics with your employer's benefits portal or HR department is the most reliable way to know exactly what applies to your situation.

What Programs Are Available Through Employer Tuition Partnerships at Purdue Global?

The Purdue Global programs available through these employer partnerships generally reflect the school's core strengths: business, information technology, criminal justice, and healthcare administration. Taco Bell's catalog names several of these programs specifically, while Walmart and Regions Bank don't limit coverage to a curated list, giving employees broader access to Purdue Global's undergraduate offerings.

Purdue Global's transfer credit and prior learning policies are worth factoring in here too, since the school accepts credit for previous coursework, military training, and relevant work experience. That matters more at employers like Lowe's, where the annual cap on non-select programs is smaller, since reducing the number of terms needed to finish a degree stretches a capped benefit further. Checking your specific Purdue Global program's transfer credit eligibility with an admissions advisor is worth doing before you enroll.

FAQs About Companies With Free Tuition at Purdue Global

Here are some common questions specific to using an employer tuition benefit at Purdue Global, along with a few details worth knowing given the school's history and structure.

Is Purdue Global the Same as Purdue University?

Purdue Global is part of the Purdue University system, but it operates as a separate, online-focused institution built for working adults rather than traditional undergraduates. The school was formerly known as Kaplan University before Purdue acquired it in 2018 and folded it into the Purdue system. Purdue Global carries its own regional accreditation through the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), the same accrediting body that oversees Purdue's main campus.

Does an Annual Cap Mean I Won't Get a Free Degree at Purdue Global?

Not necessarily. An annual cap, like the $2,500 limit at Lowe's or the standard $5,250 threshold used by several other employers, limits how much your employer contributes each year, not the total amount they're willing to put toward your degree over time. If you stay within that cap, your degree remains fully covered; it just may take longer to finish, especially if you're not able to offset the pace with transfer credit.

Do I Have to Pay Back Tuition Assistance If I Quit?

It depends on your specific employer, since Purdue Global itself doesn't set repayment terms for employer-sponsored students. Some companies require you to remain employed through the end of a course or term to keep your coverage, while others place no such requirement on the benefit. Reviewing your program's terms before enrolling, or asking HR directly, is the only way to know what applies to your situation.

How Much Transfer Credit Can I Bring Into a Purdue Global Program?

Purdue Global accepts transfer credit from previous college coursework, military training, and certain professional certifications, and its ExcelTrack option lets some students demonstrate mastery of material to earn credit without retaking coursework they already know. Since Purdue Global charges tuition by the credit rather than a flat term rate, reducing the number of credits you need through transfer credit directly lowers the total cost, which matters even more when your employer's coverage comes with an annual cap.

Why Do Papa John's and Taco Bell Only Cover Corporate Employees?

Both companies operate a mix of corporate-owned and franchise-owned locations, and franchise owners run their businesses somewhat independently, including decisions about which employee benefits to offer. Corporate-owned locations can guarantee a consistent benefit because Papa John's and Taco Bell control those budgets directly, while franchise owners set their own terms, which is why coverage at those locations tends to be a discount rather than full tuition.

Can I Pursue a Master's Degree at Purdue Global Through an Employer Benefit?

It depends on the company. Chipotle and several other employers on this list cap non-select programs, including most master's degrees, at $5,250 per year rather than offering full coverage at the graduate level. Regions Bank and a few others focus their fully covered benefit on associate and bachelor's degrees specifically. Confirming whether your employer's program extends to graduate study at Purdue Global is worth doing before you apply.

Find Affordable Online Programs

Purdue Global's blend of regional accreditation, career-focused programs, and generous transfer credit policies makes it a practical choice for employees pursuing a degree through work, even though coverage details shift from one employer to the next. Explore the resources on Learn.org to help you weigh how a Purdue Global degree fits into your broader career goals.