Yes, some universities pay you to study there. Through stipends, free tuition, free housing, and even direct cash payments, these 10 institutions give you more money than they take.
The Top 10 (2026)
- Berea College (Kentucky, USA) — 100% tuition waiver + $1,000/year tech stipend. Required: 10 hrs/week campus job.
- College of the Ozarks (Missouri, USA) — 100% free tuition. Required: 15 hrs/week campus work.
- Webb Institute (NY, USA) — Full tuition for all naval architecture students.
- University of the People (Online) — Free degree programs, only exam fees ($120 per course).
- Norwegian universities (EU/EEA) — Free + NOK 130,000 living-cost loan (40% becomes grant).
- German PhDs (TU9 group) — €50k-€65k salary, no tuition.
- Tsinghua Schwarzman Scholars — Fully funded master’s + travel + stipend.
- Lund Master’s in Sweden (research) — Many programs offer assistantship stipends €1,500/mo.
- KAIST (South Korea) — All graduate students get full tuition + ₩900,000/month stipend.
- École Normale Supérieure (Paris) — Successful applicants become civil servants with €1,400/mo salary.
About This Research
This guide was prepared by the Studies Multiverse editorial team — a network of former international students, scholarship recipients, and university admissions advisors. Our data sources include DAAD, NUFFIC, Campus France, official university websites, and Erasmus+ statistical reports, cross-checked against tuition records from 800+ universities globally. Last verified May 2026. See how we research.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Are there really universities that pay you to attend?
Yes. Berea College (USA), College of the Ozarks, German PhD programs, KAIST (Korea), and École Normale Supérieure all give students more money than they take. Most require campus work or a research/teaching role.
How much do German PhD students earn?
German PhDs are full-time employment contracts with €50,000-€65,000 annual salaries, full social security, pension contributions, and 5 weeks of paid vacation.
Is University of the People really free?
University of the People charges no tuition, but you pay $120 per course in exam fees ($600-$2,400 per degree depending on program length).