At a time when college tuition is higher than ever, a few colleges and universities are leading the way in providing educations that are absolutely free. Deep Springs College, the United States Military Academy at West Point, and Berea College provide alternative routes for students. In fact, they make it possible for those learners to go as far as they do without crushing tuition expenses weighing them down. This article explores some of the unique qualities found at these colleges, and others like them that are focused on accessibility and serving their communities.
Deep Springs College, a two-year college on a working cattle ranch in California, accepts only 12 to 15 students a year. Its governance structure is remarkable in its unprecedented quirkiness. Students routinely take part in all levels of decision making during open meetings that frequently go well into the night. Students enter the program and study a challenging curriculum, but do not have chosen majors. They go hands-on while deeply engaging in academic and labor practice on the college’s working ranch and farm.
Deep Springs’ extreme governance model further develops leadership capacity within the student body. Lastly, it creates an incredible bond between all of them. By voting on issues that affect their education and campus life, students develop a sense of ownership over their academic experience.
Graduates go on to earn a Bachelor of Science degree. They are required to fulfill a minimum of five years of active-duty service and an additional three years in the reserves. Unlike the fellowship program, the academy pays 100 percent of the fellows’ tuition, plus an additional financial support package that covers room and board, uniforms, and other supplies.
The United States Merchant Marine Academy stops the assumption of student debt before it starts. It pays their students’ tuition, room and board, uniforms and books. The academy’s rigorous four-year curriculum melds classroom study with practical experience aboard commercial and military ships worldwide. This hands-on experience is invaluable for those seeking careers in maritime industries.
At the United States Naval Academy, there are ten majors that undergraduates can declare, ranging from civil engineering to marine science. The academy is about service, demanding that graduates of the institution pledge to serve in the military following their education.
United States Coast Guard Academy prepares its future leaders and defenders for lifelong service. In return, graduates are required to provide five years of service upon completion of their education. Students are required to provide a minimum of 15 hours of work each week, including the academic semester. They must work two 40-hour weeks during the school year.
Berea College in Kentucky manages to be a remarkable exception in a remarkable way. It still provides an effective full-ride to every student, accounting for tuition, room, and board. The college follows that up with laptop computers to support students through their education and helps fund internships and appropriate professional clothing to prepare for job interviews. This project strengthens employability and helps prepare students as they move into the workforce.
As Robert Franek, editor in chief at The Princeton Review, stated, “This is a self-selecting group in a lot of ways.” These colleges have unusual and distinctive qualities, what lures in smart cookies. They bring in those who are committed to rolling up their sleeves for service and civic engagement.
The College of the Ozarks—aka, “Hard Work U”—took the commitment one step farther. These proposals are the kind of systemic game-changer that students are fighting for to make their educations affordable and accessible. This innovative model not only enables students to earn their education while developing in-demand skills and experience they need to succeed.