Nations Where Public Universities Are Tuition-Free

The nations below generally offer free or very low-cost higher education to their citizens, and in some cases to international students as well.

🇩🇪 Germany

  • Tuition-free for all students, including most international students, at public universities.

  • Small semester fees apply (~€250), which often include a transit pass.

🇫🇷 France

  • Public universities charge nominal fees (~€200–€600/year).

  • Tuition is subsidized heavily. Low-cost even for international students.

🇦🇹 Austria

  • Tuition-free for EU/EEA students.

  • Small fee (~€726/semester) for non-EU international students, often waived under certain agreements.

🇳🇴 Norway

  • Tuition-free for all, including international students, at public universities.

  • Students pay a small semester fee (~€70).

🇫🇮 Finland

  • Free for Finnish and EU/EEA students.

  • Non-EU international students pay tuition, but many scholarships are available.

🇸🇪 Sweden

  • Tuition-free for EU/EEA students.

  • Non-EU students pay, but many scholarships exist.

🇮🇸 Iceland

  • Tuition-free at public universities.

  • Small registration fee (~€400/year).

🇩🇰 Denmark

  • Tuition-free for Danish and EU/EEA students.

  • Tuition applies to non-EU students but scholarships are available.

🇨🇿 Czech Republic

  • Free tuition at public universities if you study in Czech language.

  • Programs in English have tuition fees.

🇸🇮 Slovenia

  • Free for EU students and select non-EU countries.

  • Low-cost or free programs at public institutions.

🇵🇱 Poland

  • Tuition-free for Polish and EU students at public institutions.

  • Low fees for international students, and scholarships are available.

🇧🇷 Brazil

  • Public federal universities are tuition-free for all, including international students.

  • Highly competitive entrance exams.

🇦🇷 Argentina

  • Public universities are free for all, including international students.

🇲🇽 Mexico

  • Some public universities, like UNAM, offer free tuition.

  • Very low fees across much of the public system.

🇺🇾 Uruguay

  • Tuition-free at public universities for all students, including internationals.

🇨🇴 Colombia

  • Many public universities have moved toward free tuition for low-income students as of 2021.

🇻🇪 Venezuela

  • Public higher education is officially free, but system has struggled due to economic crisis.

Free Colleges in nations Without Universal Free Tuition

United States

  • Berea College (KY) – No tuition; students work 10–15 hours/week.

  • College of the Ozarks (MO) – Tuition-free; students must work.

  • Curtis Institute of Music (PA) – Full tuition scholarships for all students.

  • Alice Lloyd College (KY) – Free tuition for students from select Appalachian counties.

  • Deep Springs College (CA) – Free tuition; students work on campus ranch.

  • U.S. Military Academies – Free, with service requirement after graduation.

  • City University of New York (CUNY) & State University of New York (SUNY) – Free for in-state students with low income via Excelsior Scholarship.

🇨🇦 Canada

  • Some provinces (like Quebec for locals) offer very low tuition.

  • Indigenous students in many provinces may attend tuition-free.

🇵🇭 Philippines

  • As of 2017, all state universities and colleges are tuition-free for Filipino citizens.