23 Best Jobs That Pay For College: Employers Offering Education Incentives

Have you always dreamed of pursuing higher education but are put off by the cost of attending college or university?

Well, the good news is that there are companies out there that can help you pay for your education.

You could get hired, make money, and essentially take courses where your boss is footing the bill!

In this blog post, we’ll look at the different jobs that pay for college and where you should be looking to work!

Quick Picks

Many companies are willing to pay good workers and offer tuition assistance programs, but let me tell you the best ones to work for:

Most Diveristy In Degree Programs – Amazon
Best For STEM Degrees – Boeing
Most Potential Reimbursement Money – Publix (max $16K!)

23 Jobs That Pay For College

1. Amazon

Amazon’s Career Choice program is a shining example of a company investing in its employees’ futures. 

This program can help Amazon associates who want to start or complete their education and put money toward college.

Amazon has you covered if you’re aiming for a high school diploma, GED, bachelor’s or master’s degree, or English as a Second Language (ESL) proficiency certifications.

But that’s not all. Career Choice also provides funding for employees in an approved degree program like aircraft mechanics, welding, medical billing, and nursing.

2. Discover

Discover, the company behind the popular Discover Card, also pays for employees to attend college.

Through its partnership with Guild, Discover offers employees tuition assistance upfront for select associate and bachelor’s degrees.

They offer funding for over 230 degrees, but if you’re interested in pursuing a degree outside of those select options, don’t worry.

Discover also offers up to $5,250 towards bachelor’s degrees and $10,000 annually for master’s degrees at schools in their network.

3. Target

Target has recently added college tuition to its benefits package for all U.S. employees and partners with the Guild.

Full- and part-time Target workers can now get tuition covered upfront. With the Guild, that includes 250+ degree programs for certain undergraduate degrees.

On top of that, this also covers certifications at 40 schools and will put $10,000 toward some master’s programs.

4. Starbucks

Starbucks has been a trailblazer when it comes to employee education benefits. 

Starbucks College Achievement Plan (SCAP), launched in 2015, offers its U.S. employees access to Arizona State University’s online bachelor’s degrees.

The tuition help is available to all eligible full and part-time employees nationwide and pays for first-time bachelor’s degree programs. 

According to Starbucks, employees are eligible after “the first day of the second month after receiving a minimum of 240 total hours over three full, consecutive months.”

5. Chipotle

Chipotle offers most part-time and all regular full-time workers access to tuition paid upfront from the University of Arizona, Bellevue University, UMass Global, etc.

Chipotle employees who have worked 15 hours per week for 120 days are eligible for the tuition offerings.

The company offers tuition-free associate’s or bachelor’s degrees in agricultural science, hospitality, and supply chain majors.

If you want to study outside the colleges Chipotle partners with, the company also offers tuition reimbursement benefits of up to $5,250 per year.

6. Disney

The Walt Disney Company, an American multinational corporation, has always been a game-changer in the entertainment industry.

They offer the Disney Aspire program, which covers up to 100% of tuition fees at their partner universities

This includes tuition reimbursement and covering textbooks for employees who have worked for Disney for over 90 days.

7. Home Depot

Home Depot’s tuition reimbursement had different tuition benefits for all types of employees:

Salary employees- up to $5,000
Full-time hourly employees- up to $3,000
Part-time hourly employees- up to $1,500 per calendar year

In addition to tuition assistance, Home Depot’s benefits package also offers other resources such as scholarships, discounted textbooks, and study materials.

This could include 50% coverage for textbooks, class registration fees, and even money towards additional approved courses.

8. Walmart

The largest retail corporation in the United States, Walmart, has a history of supporting education for its employees in various ways.

Walmart’s Live Better U program allows employees to pursue high school diplomas and affordable degrees in business, supply chain management, and other fields.

They partnered with Guild and offer tuition money for accredited institutions like Purdue University Global, the University of Florida, and Bellevue University.

The program covers up to 100% of tuition, books, and fees, meaning employees aren’t required to incur any out-of-pocket expenses or wait for tuition reimbursement.

9. Boeing

Boeing offers Education Assistance Program to cultivate its employees’ education and career development by easing the financial burden of secondary education.

Education Assistance can be used for any education level in STEM fields, from associate to doctoral degrees.

It offers reimbursement for tuition, books, certificates, and other educational materials, up to $25K annually.

The program is open to all Boeing employees, including part-time workers and, in some cases, eligible family members.

10. Qualcomm

Qualcomm may be best known as a semiconductor and telecommunications equipment producer, but it also provides educational assistance benefits to employees.

According to their official website, full-time employees may be eligible for tuition reimbursement of up to $5,250 annually for undergraduate degrees.

The funding can be used towards a degree program, certification course, or other educational expenses.

They also offer up to $10,125 per year for graduate and post-graduate degrees- which can go towards tuition, parking, books, and more.

11. Verizon

Verizon Communications provides their employees and immediate family members with an opportunity for academic growth through their tuition program.

Employees can receive tuition reimbursement of up to $13,250 per year for full-time working, and part-timers can get up to $8,000 a year towards tuition costs.

Another commendable feature is that their coverage isn’t limited to only traditional college degree programs.

Verizon’s program also accommodates apprenticeships, certification courses, and other educational endeavors that enhance professional development.

12. Publix

Publix Supermarkets recognize the value of education and have offered their employees a tuition reimbursement program for over 40 years.

You can be hired part-time or full-time and work for the company for 90 days before becoming eligible to receive tuition assistance.

Publix reimburses up to $16,000 of tuition annually for undergraduate and graduate students and provides opportunities for student interns.

13. Taco Bell

Taco Bell is a global fast-food chain that provides educational support for select degrees, high school diplomas, and college prep courses through Start with Us, Stay with Us!

Employees can get 100% covered tuition with Guild programs, including 40+ programs for high school diplomas, certificates, and more.

Taco Bell also covers up to $5,250 in college tuition annually for its team members for approved programs that aren’t in the Guild.

So, if you’re at least 16 years old and have worked at Taco Bell for at least two years, you can take advantage of this opportunity.

14. Intel

Intel, one of the world’s leading computer chip manufacturers, offers its employees a generous tuition assistance program.

To participate in the program, you must work for Intel for at least six months before enrolling in the degree program courses.

Besides education assistance, Intel offers other financial support, including scholarships and loans, to eligible employees.

15. Papa Johns

Papa Johns Pizza, a famous American food chain, offers its employees college tuition reimbursement through its “Dough & Degrees” program.

To qualify for the program must have worked at least 20 hours per week for 90 days.

The program gives the corporate employees 100% reimbursement and franchise employees a yearly reimbursement of $5,250.

16. JBS Foods

JBS Foods is a global food-processing company that offers scholarships and tuition reimbursement to its workforce.

JBS Foods has partnered with community colleges and universities to offer tuition reimbursement programs to its employees.

The company also provides undergraduate scholarships for the children of its employees who are studying in college.

17. T-Mobile

T-Mobile is a telecommunications giant offering employees a great benefits package, including the company’s tuition reimbursement program.

T-Mobile offers their employees tuition reimbursement for courses related to their job or courses that will help them further their careers within the company.

After 90 days, full-time workers can get up to $5,230 per year, and part-time employees can get reimbursements up to $2,500 per year.

18. Procter & Gamble

Procter & Gamble, a multinational consumer goods corporation, offers its employees a generous educational reimbursement program.

While you work for them, they provide tuition reimbursement for accredited undergraduate or graduate courses, up to 80% or $40,000.

This education assistance program is available for full-time and part-time employees who work at least 20 hours per week.

19. Lowe’s

Lowe’s offers a unique educational assistance program for employees called Lowe’s tuition assistance program.

This provides eligible employees up to $2,500 per year for tuition for higher education, textbooks, and other expenses.

The program is available for part-time and full-time employees who have worked at Lowe’s for at least 90 days and maintain a minimum of 20 hours per week.

20. Capital One

Capital One provides eligible employees with financial support for approved courses and programs.

With this program, full-time and part-time employees can earn up to $5,250 annually for tuition reimbursement.

Employees can receive reimbursement for any course, degree program, or certification approved by Capital One in over 200 selected schools.

21. FedEx

FedEx is a delivery service company that offers part-time and full-time employees a tuition assistance program. Employees must have at least one year of FedEx employment to qualify.

Additionally, the company offers a low-cost online degree program through the University of Memphis.

They also offer scholarships and other options so employees can earn more money towards tuition and college costs.

22. McDonald’s

McDonald’s, one of the most ubiquitous fast-food chains worldwide, also offers Archways to Opportunity, which helps its employees obtain their degrees.

It covers not only the cost of tuition but also that of books and fees for any employee who has worked for the company for at least 90 days and at least 15 hours per week.

This program’s financial assistance varies depending on the degree an employee wishes to pursue, but it can range from $2,500 to $5,250 annually.

23. Well’s Fargo

Wells Fargo, a well-known financial institution, has a program that supports its employees in their academic pursuits.

This program encourages its employees to take classes related to their job or career development, but it also covers other programs like language, certifications, and more.

The company matches up to $5,000 annually for undergraduate and graduate degree-related expenses. Your children can also receive awards for college as well.

FAQS

Do companies actually pay you to go to college?

Yes, they do! Many companies pay their employees to go to college. They pay for part or all of college costs upfront, through Guild Education, or tuition reimbursement.

Some companies require that you work for them for a certain amount of time before they start paying for your education; some will pay for it immediately.

What’s a good job to have while going to college?

One of the best ways to cover your college expenses is to find a job that allows you to balance your academic and professional goals.

A job that has flexible hours, good pay, and helps you gain work experience is ideal.

Some examples of such jobs are tutor, virtual assistant, and freelance writer.

What’s tuition assistance versus tuition reimbursement?

Tuition assistance is a benefit that provides financial assistance upfront to make employees pay less for education-related expenses such as tuition and books.

Assistance is often offered through Guild education, and employers pay a certain percentage of tuition or $X er course or semester.

On the other hand, tuition reimbursement is where you pay for classes, and the employer will give money back to you, typically after you complete the associate’s or bachelor’s degree.

Final Thoughts

You don’t have to struggle with student loans and debts for years after graduation.

There are many jobs available that can help undergrad and graduate students pay for their college education.

By taking advantage of the various college job options available, you can earn while you learn and pave the way for a better future.

If you’re interested in pursuing undergraduate and graduate degrees, consider these jobs and programs to help you achieve your academic goals.