As a college education becomes a more desirable trait for prospective employees to have, more and more people are looking to attain a degree. Due to this fact, we have seen a rise in the number of universities and an increase in the cost to attend said universities. College tuition rates have grown exponentially over the years and it is just a matter of fact that a college degree costs more money to get now than it did some thirty years ago. Since tuition has become so expensive, many people are looking for alternative ways to afford university and one of those ways would be having a company pay for it. There are a variety of large companies and corporations that will actually pay for you to get your degree. Obviously you have to work at those companies, but for many, this is an attractive route to take. From paying full tuition rates to covering a certain percentage of tuition, more and more companies are hopping on this bandwagon. So, here are ten awesome companies that will help pay for your college education.
10. Verizon
As one of the largest cable, internet, and phone providers in the United States, Verizon has a very large budget that they dedicate to helping their employees attend university. Prospective students can receive up to $8,000 dollars per year that can be used for education costs. While it is no full-ride, it is still a great deal for many.
9. The J.M. Smucker Company
We all know them for their jellies and peanut butter, but Smucker’s is another company that helps its employees pay for the ever increasing costs of education. They have a few scholarship programs in place, in addition to a tuition program. Through that program the company will pay back employees as much as 100% the tuition costs for “company-approved” courses.
8. Walmart
Walmart has partnered with the American Public University to offer their employees and family members of employees a discount on education from that school. Employees and family members can receive a 15% discount on tuition and books from their online classes, provided that employees have worked full-time for at least one year.
7. BP
British Petroleum has a program in place where they will reimburse employees up to 90% of their tuition costs. All you have to do is take classes that relate to your role in the company at an accredited university, and BP will pay the majority of your tuition once you graduate.
6. Wells Fargo
Wells Fargo is another company that has attractive offerings in terms of college education. Children of current employees of the company are able to qualify for a variety of scholarships. Additionally the company will grant up to $5,000 per year for employees to attend a college.
5. Comcast
Much like Verizon, Comcast also has a few programs in place that help employees attend college. Known as the “Comcast Education Assistance Program”, the company will reimburse employees up to $5,750 per year for tuition and any other fees associated with higher education.
4. UPS
What can Brown do for you? Well apparently they can help you attend college and receive a degree in addition to many other things. UPS has a program that grants up to $15,000 for their employees to use to attend college. Additionally the company has partnered with a few colleges like the University of Louisville, Chicago State University, Jefferson Community College, and others where employees can attend university for free (provided they work a certain amount of hours for UPS while they attend class and get good grades). UPS certainly offers one of the most attractive programs for employees looking to earn a college degree.
3. Google
Many people talk about how it’s awesome to work for Google, and they are another public company that will help you earn and pay for a college education. Employees at Google can earn up to $12,000 per year that is used in tuition reimbursement. Again, all of this is provided that you work and continue to work for the company.
2. Apple
Apple puts a good amount on emphasis on employing well-rounded and highly trained employees, so it’s no surprise that they also have a college program. Prospective and current employees can earn up to $5,000 per year to attend college. While it may not be a large amount, every bit certainly counts.
1. Starbucks
Starbucks wants to ensure that their employees attend or finish college, which is why they partnered up with Arizona State University. Part or full-time employees of Starbucks are eligible to now take online courses from Arizona State University entirely for free. So while you have to take courses from that specific college, getting a degree at virtually no cost is certainly very attractive.
Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images
