56 Companies That Pay College Tuition: Reimbursement vs. Assistance Programs

Companies pay employees for the labor they render.

But then some pay for their employees’ college education.

A tuition reimbursement program is an employee benefit where the employer reimburses or repays an employee for enrollment costs in college courses to gain knowledge and skills.

There is a similar program to tuition reimbursement, where an employer offers tuition assistance upfront.

It’s what’s known as a tuition assistance program.

How much companies pay for employee’s college tuition can vary.

However, many stick to the $5,250 limit to avoid paying additional tax.

So, why are there employers that pay for college?

Employers that offer tuition reimbursement and tuition assistance programs enjoy various perks:

• Employee retention
• Reduced recruitment costs
• Drawing top talents
• Positive branding
• Tax breaks

Of course, employees eligible for these programs get to enjoy benefits, too.

But it’s worth noting that there are crucial things you must know about eligibility for one:

• Reimbursement schedules vary, such as per month or after program completion
• Courses must align with the employee’s current position or role
• The college must be accredited or a partner of the company
• In some instances, maintaining a certain GPA is a must to remain in the program
• Employees must stay with the company for a certain period after earning their credentials

In the United States, companies that pay for college come aplenty.

One survey says 80% of large companies offer tuition reimbursement, while another says 48% of employers offer undergraduate and graduate tuition assistance as an employee benefit.

In this post, I will enumerate 50+ companies that will pay for college.

Amazon

The company’s Career Choice program pays 100% of tuition cost upfront. Individuals eligible for the program, usually front-line employees, may choose to earn a bachelor’s or an associate degree.

Apple

Eligible Apple employees may choose from a couple of college education benefits: applying for a tuition reimbursement program worth up to 5,250 per year or attending Apple University as a scholar.

AT&T

To be eligible for the company’s tuition assistance program, employees must have been working at AT&T for at least six months. Employees under the program may receive tuition reimbursement of up to $5,250.

Baxter

Employees who wish to go back to college under Baxter’s tuition reimbursement program must attend accredited schools. Aside from undergraduate degrees, eligible employees may also work on graduate degrees.

Best Buy

You must be a full-time employee to be eligible for its tuition reimbursement program. Besides the maximum award of $3,500 for tuition per year, Best Buy also shoulders a few other approved college-related expenses.

Boeing

What’s great about Boeing’s tuition assistance program is that it has no maximum amount per year. However, you must enroll in a STEM-related degree or certificate program, which isn’t surprising.

BP

Full-time BP students who wish to benefit from the oil giant’s tuition reimbursement program must choose from various pre-approved courses or programs. They must maintain a certain GPA to remain eligible, too.

Capital One

Unlike many companies offering tuition reimbursement or assistance programs, full-time and part-time employees at Capital One are eligible to attend higher education with the company’s help.

CarMax

Full-time employees at CarMax are eligible to receive as much as $5,250 per year to cover their tuition costs as they work on a college degree. Meanwhile, part-time employees are eligible to receive $2,500 per year.

Chevron

Up to 75% of tuition costs and other approved expenditures, such as textbooks, are taken care of by Chevron’s tuition assistance program — eligible individuals can enjoy a lifetime cap of $5,000.

Chick-fil-A

Eligible employees at Chick-fil-A can take advantage of discounted tuition at 100+ partner colleges and universities. In addition, they may also apply for scholarship grants.

Chipotle

Those who get into Chipotle’s education assistance programs can choose from over 70 business and technology degree programs, with the company footing 100% of their tuition costs.

Comcast

Besides traditional colleges, Comcast employees under the company’s tuition reimbursement program may also attend online schools, allowing them to reimburse up to $5,750 in tuition costs per year.

CVS

It’s not just its employees that CVS assists in pursuing their postsecondary education goals — the American retail corporation also has scholarship programs for employee children.

Deloitte

The tuition assistance program available at Deloitte is called the Graduate School Assistance Program (GSAP), which makes it clear that only those who wish to work on a graduate degree are eligible.

Discover

It’s not too long ago when Discover improved its tuition reimbursement program. It did so through a partnership with Guild Education, which Fortune 1000 companies employ to manage their education assistance benefits.

Disney

Numerous educational benefits are available to Disney’s employees. One of them is the so-called Disney Aspire, designed to shoulder full tuition costs incurred at partner colleges and universities.

Eileen Fisher

The American clothing company offers its employees an assortment of career benefits, including a tuition assistance program. It covers 100% of the cost of job-related certificates and college degrees.

FedEx

One of the many colleges and universities included in FedEx’s tuition reimbursement program’s list of partner schools is Utah Valley University, where employees can enroll in any degree program at potentially no out-of-pocket costs.

Fidelity

The company only repays up to 90% of tuition costs of eligible employees (working full-time and must have been with the company for at least six months), although amounting to a maximum of $10,000 per year.

Ford

The multinational automobile manufacturer covers up to $6,000 of the yearly educational program costs of full-time employees. Applicants must have been working for the company for at least three months to be eligible.

Gap

Guess what the name of the tuition reimbursement program of Gap is? GAP! It stands for the Gap Tuition Assistance Program, which funds employees who enroll in approved programs at partner community colleges.

Geico

One of the best things about Geico’s educational benefits is that it takes care of various eligible expenses, from tuition to transportation, amounting to up to $5,250 per year.

Herschend Family Entertainment

In 2022, all 11,000 individuals working at Herschend Family Entertainment enjoyed 100% coverage of tuition costs and books through its educational program called Grow U.

Home Depot

Both full-time and part-time employees are eligible for Home Depot’s tuition reimbursement program, although they must pursue a technical degree, be it an associate, bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral.

iHerb

To support the desire of its employees to further their education and gain additional knowledge and skills, iHerb reimburses up to $5,250 per year on eligible educational expenses.

JetBlue

The JetBlue Scholars Program is available for eligible crewmembers who wish to go to college for the first time or complete what they once started. However, they can only do so online.

Kroger

Competitive is a word that best describes Kroger’s tuition assistance program. Employees who wish to earn a GED or an undergraduate or graduate degree may receive a maximum lifetime cap of $21,000 in educational assistance.

LiveRamp

To be eligible for tuition reimbursement, it’s a must that you pursue a degree program, whether undergraduate or graduate, that’s related to your current position at LiveRamp.

Lowe’s

Whether it’s a degree program or certificate you wish to earn, you may apply for one of the many tuition reimbursement programs available at Lowe’s, including those for employees interested in completing high school.

McDonald’s

Crew members may be eligible for the American multinational fast food chain’s tuition assistance programs if they have been working at McDonald’s for at least 90 days and 15 hours weekly.

Microsoft

Every year, the massive tech company offers each of its employees pursuing business-related programs, including an MBA, up to $10,000 to cover the cost of tuition, books, and other college-related expenses.

Nuance

Its tuition reimbursement program is under Nuance’s various professional development benefits for its employees — it offers an annual maximum of $5,250 in tuition costs.

Oracle

Oracle’s tuition reimbursement program covers up to $5,000 per year. However, there are a couple of conditions to meet: employees must be working full-time and must maintain a minimum GPA to remain in the program.

Papa John’s

The Dough & Degree Program is the tuition assistance program at Papa John’s. The company reimburses 100% of the cost of tuition of employees going to Purdue University or the University of Maryland Global Campus.

Pareto Intelligence

Employees must be working at Pareto Intelligence for at least one year to be eligible for its tuition reimbursement program, which covers 70% of tuition costs. Also, they must choose a program related to their role.

PEAK6

Individuals who have been working at PEAK6 for at least one year are eligible for reimbursement of up to $8,000 per year. They may pursue a certification, bachelor’s degree, or any other educational credential.

PepsiCo

Employees at PepsiCo are eligible for tuition reimbursement of up to $5,250 for undergraduate students enrolled in approved and accredited programs. Meanwhile, that’s up to $8,000 for graduate students.

Procter & Gamble

Full-time employees are the ones who are eligible for tuition reimbursement, allowing them to reimburse 80% of tuition and other eligible expenses. A maximum lifetime cap for its educational assistance is set at $40,000.

Publix

Employees under Publix’s tuition reimbursement program may enroll in two-year or four-year degree programs. To be eligible, they must be working at the company for at least six months.

Qualcomm

Individuals working at Qualcomm and are interested in undergoing programs offered via several massive open online courses (MOOCs), like Coursera or Udacity may enjoy full tuition reimbursement.

Raytheon Technologies

The Employee Scholar Program at Raytheon Technologies allows eligible associates to reimburse tuition as well as selected college-related fees, though they can only choose from approved courses or degrees.

ServiceNow

Employees at ServiceNow can be reimbursed up to $5,250 per year for eligible tuition and fees. Those who are admitted to the program may choose from courses and certifications.

Smucker’s

Which companies pay for college the best include those that assist not only their employers but also their kids. Case in point? Smucker’s offering tuition reimbursement to its workers and renewable scholarships to their little ones.

Starbucks

Employees of the American multinational chain of coffeehouses without a bachelor’s degree are qualified to enroll in undergraduate degrees at Arizona State University, a partner institution.

T-Mobile

Capella University, Colorado Technical University, and the University of Phoenix are postsecondary institutions T-Mobile has a partnership with, where its employers can enjoy free or discounted tuition costs.

Taco Bell

Besides covering 100% of tuition costs for a high school diploma or select college degrees, Taco Bell employees can also take advantage of personalized program recommendations from the company.

Target

The goal of Target is to help its degree-seeking employees graduate from college debt-free, which is why the American retail corporation covers 100% of the tuition costs of their education.

Tinder

Some benefits Tinder offers its employees who wish to further their education include awarding $1,500 per year to each individual for tuition and books, and mentorship programs, too.

UPS

Eligible for the UPS’ tuition reimbursement program are full-time and part-time employees, offering them $5,250 in tuition assistance per year and up to a lifetime maximum amount of $25,000.

Verifi

The payment protection and management firm offers a tuition reimbursement plan of up to $5,250 per year.

Verizon

Eligible employees for tuition reimbursement (full-time and part-time working for at least 17 hours per week) may get up to $8,000 annually to fund their education regardless of the level.

Vertafore

A tuition reimbursement program of up to a maximum of $5,250 per year is available to eligible Vertafore employees.

Walmart

Through the Live Better U (LBU) program, Walmart’s approximately 1.5 million employees may apply for the program, which allows them to learn trade skills or earn a college degree at a fraction of the cost.

Waste Management

Besides its employees being able to select from 170+ fully-funded educational programs, Waste Management also extends its educational perks to eligible dependents of its employees.

Wells Fargo

Fargo reimburses eligible tuition costs of up to $5,000 per year, which is much higher than the average maximum. It also offers several scholarships, amounting to $1,000 to $3,000, to the kids of employees.

Read Next: 10+ Tips to Pay for College for Low-Income Families