Need a Laptop? Here are the Cheapest Online Colleges That Offer Laptops

Do you wish to study in an online college but you are worried about the cost? Or perhaps you do not have a laptop? If so, it would interest you to know that there are cheap online colleges that offer laptops.

Online colleges, as we might already know, are the best bet for flexible learning. You get to gain the same skills and knowledge you would have gotten from an on-site college, but with more flexibility and comfort.

In this article, we will explore 20 cheap online colleges that offer laptops. We will also show you how to get a good laptop for college, and the most suitable specs required. We also have an article on 18 Best Online Colleges that Pay You to Attend.

I will answer some important questions frequently asked by people before delving right into the topic.

What is the Cheapest and Easiest Online College?

Whether at an online or on-site college, studying is quite demanding. Shuffling between a series of classes, assignments, and tests can be a handful.

However, there are online colleges where learning is easier, especially in terms of getting into the college and accessing study materials. One of the colleges we consider the cheapest and easiest to enroll in is the University of the People.

University of the People

As the name suggests, the University of the People places people as a priority. It is an online college that believes so much in the liberating power of higher education. It also understands that higher education is the most effective means for driving development.

It would also interest you to know that the University of the People is tuition-free. The only monetary requirement is the $120 assessment fee for undergraduates, which is two times the amount for graduates ($240).

Several scholarship programs are also available at the university.

• Simone Biles Legacy Scholarship Fund: open to all students, especially those who have been in foster care.
• Emergency Refugee Assistance Scholarship Fund: open to all refugees and asylum seekers.
• Foundation Hoffmann Scholarship: open to all students.
• UoPeople General Scholarship: open to all students.

Founded in 2009 and accredited in 2014, the University of the People currently has a student population of 27,000. As a school on a mission to help humanity, about 1,000 of the students are refugees.

The University of the People offers associate’s, bachelor’s, and master’s degree programs in the following fields:

• Business administration
• Computer science
• Health Science
• Education

You might also wonder how the university gets funding without charging tuition. The University of the People relies on funding from donations and partnerships with large companies and individuals alike. The University of the People is currently in financial partnership with Intel, Hewlett-Packard (HP), and Microsoft.

To learn more about this college, see the University of the People.

List of Cheapest 20 Online Colleges That Offer Laptops

• Wake Forest University
• Northwest Missouri State University
• Full Sail University
• St. John’s University
• Seton Hill University
• Independence University
• Bethel University
• Stevens-Henager College
• St. Mary’s University of Minnesota
• Chatham University
• Southern New Hampshire University
• Saint Leo University
• Colorado Technical University
• Indiana State University
• Western Kentucky University
• Southern Nazarene University
• Dakota State University
• Illinois Institute of Technology
• Widener University
• Wentworth Institute of Technology

Here are 20 Cheapest Online Colleges That Offer Laptops to Its Students

Wake Forest University

Here are the important details of this college:

• Laptop program: this college has a laptop loaner program that allows you to acquire a laptop on loan.
• Average tuition: it costs $1,650 per credit hour.

The first on our list of cheap online colleges that offer laptops is Wake Forest. It is a private Christian university physically located in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Founded in 1834, the university has grown to have a population of up to 9,000 students.

The online campus of Wake First University offers several master’s degree programs in fields such as Business, Law, Health, Digital Marketing, Project Management, Arts, etc. The university also offers a Doctor of Nursing Practice.

Wake University has a laptop loaner program that allows you to acquire laptops on loan. It also has the WakeWare Program which allows you to purchase a laptop at affordable prices.

For more information, see Wake Forest University.

Northwest Missouri State University

Here are the important information regarding this college:

• Laptop program: the laptop program offers laptops to all students except those who study fully online.
• Average Undergraduate tuition: it costs $11,877.90 for Missouri residents and $19,461.30 every two semesters.
• Average graduate tuition: it costs $9,000 every two semesters.

Northwest Missouri State University is among the cheap online colleges that offer laptops. With rigorous online curricula taught by the same highly qualified faculty who teach on campus, its affordable online programs accelerate your path to professional achievement.

The university allows you to choose from several high-quality online programs and prepares you to succeed.

Northwest Missouri State University also provides all its students with laptops. It offers laptops based on availability and enrollment status. However, online professional students are not eligible to acquire laptops from the school.

For more information, see Northwest Missouri State University.

Full Sail University

Here is what you need to know about this college:

• Laptop program: this college offers laptops to its students and media creation software.
• Average tuition: this college will cost you $477 per credit hour.

Full Sail University offers affordable online degree programs. The programs cover courses in the entertainment industry and the arts generally. Full Sail also offers undergraduate and Master’s degrees in Computer Science.

Full Sail University is also one of the cheap online colleges that offer laptops. It offers laptops to students through Project LaunchBox.

Project LaunchBox provides students with a laptop computer and media creation software relevant to their degree program. However, you should note that the university includes the cost of the laptops in your tuition.

For more information, see Full Sail University.

St. John’s University

Here are the important details regarding this college:

• Laptop program: this school partners with Lenovo and Apple through its laptop program, this allows students like you to get laptops at very discounted prices.
• Average tuition: you have to pay $1,617 per credit hour to attend this college.

St. John’s University is another university in the United States that offers several online degree programs. St. John’s offers flexibility as its online courses have no set time. This gives you the option of studying at any time of the day.

As one of the cheap online colleges that offer laptops, St. John’s has partnerships with Lenovo and Apple, allowing you to get a laptop at discounted prices.

For more information, see St. John’s University.

Read also: 20 US Government Free Online Courses With Certificates.

Seton Hill University

Here is a quick summary of this college:

• Laptop program: instead of giving students personal laptops, this school takes a different approach by giving its students free 24/7 access to Apple laptops.
• Average tuition: the school charges on a per-credit basis clocking at $639 per credit.

Seton Hill University allows you to be flexible with your studies. It offers several bachelor’s degree and certificate programs. Seton Hill University also offers master’s degrees.

Mobile Learning at The Hill is a laptop program at Seton Hill University. This program provides all students of the university community with free 24/7 access to Apple devices such as the MacBook Air. The program also offers training on how to use the devices.

For more information, see Seton Hill University.

Independence University

Here is a quick overview of this school:

• Laptop program: each student enrolled in this school receives a laptop and a tablet.
• Average tuition: it costs $148–$450 per semester credit.

Independence University is a private university located in West Haven, Utah. It offers several online degrees in various fields, including Applied Science, Business, computing and Technology, Design, Education, Health, and Mathematics, among many others.

Independence University is also among the cheap online colleges that offer laptops. As a student at Independence University, you receive a laptop and a tablet which you can keep even after graduation.

I did some research and found out this institution has been permanently closed because it failed to maintain the acceptable rates of student employment and graduation.

Francis Okpara (Editor-in-chief).

Bethel University

Here is a summary of this college:

• Laptop program: this school offers a free laptop to its students but you can only claim it in your first semester of study.
• Average tuition: the average tuition for 12–18 credits per semester plus 1–5 credits for the interim is $39,920.

Like Wake Forest University, Bethel University is another private Christian university in the United States. Bethel Online provides each student with a personalized learning experience in a flexible and convenient online format.

Bethel Online programs not only help you academically, but they also prepare you for your mission and calling in the Christian Faith. The programs include both undergraduate and graduate courses with certificates. If you are interested in certificate course, see Best 545 Free Online Courses With Printable Certificates.

Bethel was among the first universities to offer free laptops to students. However, you have to claim the laptop in your first semester.

For more information, see Bethel University.

Stevens-Henager College

Here are the things you need to know about this college:

• Laptop program: It provides its students with personal laptops.
• Average tuition: this college costs $16,600 per year.

Stevens-Henager College offers serval online degree programs. These programs afford you the flexibility you need to forge ahead in life even while in school.

Despite the relatively cheap tuition, Steven-Henager College also makes scholarships and grants available.

Stevens-Henager College also has a laptop program for the benefit of students. All students get to receive a laptop at the beginning of their studies. Another advantage of the laptop program is that you get to keep the laptop even after graduation.

For more information, see Stevens-Henager College.

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St. Mary’s University of Minnesota

Here is what to know about this college:

• Laptop program: you will receive a free Microsoft Surface Pro 7 upon enrollment.
• Average tuition: it costs $21,250 per semester.

St. Mary’s University is a Catholic university whose mission is to awaken, nurture, and empower learners to ethical lives of service and leadership. It has fully online programs that enable you as a working adult to advance your career from any location with Internet access.

St. Mary’s University offers up to 7 undergraduate degrees and 13 master’s degree programs in several subjects. It also offers a wide range of graduate certificate programs.

As one of the cheap online universities that offer laptops, St. Mary’s also offers a free Microsoft Surface Pro 7 without any return policy once you have enrolled in the university.

For more information, see St. Mary’s University of Minnesota.

Chatham University

Here is a summary of this university:

• Laptop program: All first-year undergraduates at this college receive a free Macbook Air.
• Average tuition: it costs $42,250 per year.

Chatham University offers several online programs. These programs give you flexibility and convenience to make learning more efficient.

However, there is a tendency to feel lonely when taking online courses. Chatham University’s online programs address this issue. The university set up its online programs in such a way that you feel part of a vibrant cohort of fellow students.

Chatham University offers undergraduate degrees in Business Administration and Psychology. It also offers RN-BSN in Nursing. Graduate online degrees at Chatham University include MBA, BSN-DNP, Professional Occupational Therapy degrees, and several professional writing degrees.

Chatham University has a laptop program called the Undergraduate 1:1 Laptop Program. A part of this program makes 13-inch MacBook Air laptops available to all first-year undergraduates.

For more information, see Chatham University.

Southern New Hampshire University

Here is an overview of this university:

• Laptop program: the institution partners with Dell and Apple to sell laptops to students at discounted rates.
• Average tuition: it costs $15,000 per year.

At Southern New Hampshire University, you have a wide range of options as the school offers several online degrees.

However, it does not directly offer laptops to students. The university assists students’ laptop needs by making Dell and Apple laptops available at discounted rates.

For more information, see Southern New Hampshire University.

Saint Leo University

Here is a glance at the details of this college:

• Laptop program: this college has a laptop program that offers laptops to its students on rent.
• Average tuition: it costs $410 per credit hour.

Saint Leo University has online programs that prepare you for in-demand careers. It also has a welcoming community of students and lecturers that make your journey to attaining your academic peak enjoyable.

Saint Leo University is also one of the cheap online colleges that offer laptops to students on rent. However, you will have to deposit $250 before you can acquire the laptop.

For more information, see Saint Leo University.

Colorado Technical University

Here is a summary of the school:

• Laptop program: this college offers a free laptop through its scholarship program.
• Average tuition: it costs $12,581 per year.

Colorado Technical University offers more than 80 undergraduate and graduate online degree options. Its online degrees afford you the flexibility you need to combine your studies with your busy lifestyle.

Colorado Technical University is one of the cheap online colleges that offer laptops. However, they provide these laptops via a scholarship program.

For more information, see Colorado Technical University.

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Indiana State University

Here is an overview of this school:

• Laptop program: this college has a laptop program.
• Average tuition: it costs $445 per credit hour.

Indiana State University offers a wide range of online degree programs, from online undergraduate to online graduate programs.

Indiana State University also offers laptops to students via the Sycamore Technology Award. Admitted students who are Pell-eligible as determined by FAFSA can receive this award. Indiana State University also has a laptop lending service that allows you to borrow laptops from the school.

For more information, see Indiana State University.

Western Kentucky University

Here is a summary of this school:

• Laptop program: Western Kentucky University has a laptop program called Earn a Computer Program, I will tell you more about this program later on.
• Average tuition: this college costs $10,992 for in-state and $27,000 for out-of-state tuition.

Western Kentucky University offers up to 80 online degree programs from undergraduate to post-master’s level. It also offers several credit certificate programs.

Western Kentucky is also among the online colleges that offer laptops. It grants these laptops through the Earn a Computer Program.

Earn a Computer is a program created by SGA and WKU Surplus. This program assists students who cannot afford a laptop or desktop computer due to financial or technical constraints. However, the students must pledge to earn 20 points by volunteering, participating in RSOs, and/or attending campus events to earn a computer.

For more information, see Western Kentucky University.

Southern Nazarene University

Here is a summary of this college:

• Laptop program: this college offers free laptops to admitted students.
• Average tuition: it costs $973 per credit hour.

Among the cheap online colleges that offer laptops is Southern Nazarene University. As a university with an emphasis on technological advancement, it issues free laptops to students to help them with their coursework in a web-based format.

For more information, see Southern Nazarene University.

Dakota State University

Here is a quick summary of this college:

• Laptop program: it offers free laptops to all first-year students who are enrolled in full-time program.
• Average tuition: $354.75 per credit hour.

Dakota State University has online programs that offer you the same academic quality you would have gotten in a physical classroom. It also offers laptops to all full-time first-year students to help them succeed.

For more information, see Dakota State University.

Illinois Institute of Technology

Here is a quick overview of this school:

• Laptop program: this college offers Dell and Apple laptops to students at discounted rates.
• Average tuition: it costs $50,640 per year.

The online program of the Illinois Institute of Technology allows students to study from anywhere in the world. However, the school emphasizes self-discipline, especially for online classes, so online students have to also meet up with the rigorous school work.

Illinois Institute of Technology is not among the cheap online colleges that offer laptops for free. However, it makes Dell and Apple laptops available to students at discounted rates.

For more information, see Illinois Institute of Technology.

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Widener University

Here is an overview of this program:

• Laptop program: this school offers laptops to its students on loan.
• Average tuition: it costs $943 per credit hour.

Widener University offers several online degree programs. It also offers mentorship to give you the right motivation to complete your program.

Widener University is also among the cheap online universities that offer laptops. As a student at Widener, you have access to a laptop on loan as long as you agree to the loan terms.

For more information, see Widener University.

Wentworth Institute of Technology

Here are the important things about this university:

• Laptop program: it offers laptops to all newly admitted students.
• Average tuition: it costs $1,194 per credit hour.

Wentworth Institute of Technology offers several online degrees in fields such as Computing and Data Science, Architecture and Design, Engineering, and Management, among many others.

As one of the cheap online colleges that offer laptops, Wentworth Institute of Technology provides laptops to all new students. However, the laptops are not free, as the costs have been included in the tuition fee.

For more information, see Wentworth Institute of Technology.

How to Get a Laptop for College

Getting a laptop is essential for academic success. Many colleges demand that you own a laptop before they can offer you admission.

Here are a few tips to help you get the best quality laptop for yourself:

• Determine your budget. Before you go shopping for a laptop, you must first determine how much you are willing to spend.
• Make your research. Research to know which laptops are best suited for your academic needs. You also have to take the operating system, size, weight, battery life, and processing power of the laptops into consideration. This article is a good place to begin your research as we will show you the specs that are best for online classes.
• Check the requirements of your college. Some colleges have specific requirements for the type of laptop you must have. Check your college’s website for any guidelines or recommendations.
• Consider buying a used or refurbished laptop. If money is an issue, consider purchasing a used or refurbished laptop.
• Purchase from a reputable retailer. Purchase your laptop from a reputable retailer, either online or in-store. Also, check out customer reviews and ratings to be sure you are getting a dependable and high-quality laptop.

Read also: How Online Tools Make Study Easier for Students.

What Specs of Laptop is Good for Online Classes?

It is one thing to get a laptop and another to get a good one. Some cheap online colleges that offer laptops give the best quality laptops. If you are getting yours from them, you can be sure that your laptop is top quality. Below, I have stated the specs of the laptop that is good for online classes.

• Processor: a fast processor such as Intel Core i5 or i7
• Memory (RAM): minimum 8GB of RAM
• Storage: minimum 256GB of storage space
• Display: 1080p or higher
• Battery life: a long battery life of 13 hours or more

Is 4GB RAM Enough for Online Classes?

In the list before this section, we stated the best specs required for online classes. When a laptop does not meet these minimum requirements, you may have to deal with issues such as overheating and running out of space too often.

While 4GB RAM may be enough for online classes, most colleges require you to get a laptop with a minimum of 8GB RAM.

Do I Need a Laptop to Study Online?

Studying online involves attending online classes, participating in online group discussions, and many more. You would need a laptop or a desktop to have access to these online platforms. Many online colleges prefer you get a laptop over any other computer device. However, several cheap online colleges offer laptops.

To emphasize, a laptop or similar device is the most basic tool for online study. Having a laptop gives you access to the internet which is the medium through which you can attend classes, access study materials, submit assignments, and take tests.

Apart from online study, a laptop is also essential for on-site study. Some schools even make it a prerequisite to beginning your studies. This is because a laptop has several features that can help make your learning smooth.

If you are thinking of studying online, then you should place getting a laptop, at the top of your needs list.

How Can I Get a Free Laptop for College?

A laptop would help you with a lot of assignments, school projects, and a host of other things. Most importantly, a laptop helps you get organized.

However, getting a laptop may be a bit financially demanding. Here are a few ways to get a laptop for college without bearing the financial burden:

• Use grant or scholarship money
• Get a scholarship specifically for a laptop
• Attend one of the cheapest online colleges that offer free laptops

Use Grant or Scholarship Money

Some financial aid packages cover all your school expenses, laptop inclusive. These financial aids cover tuition, costs of books, laptops, and other school-related expenses.

Some other scholarships and financial aid offer you money that you can use to purchase a laptop. Grants such as Federal Pell Grants can be used to purchase a laptop. However, the monies offered by some scholarship schemes are specifically for tuition so be sure of what each scholarship and financial aid allows.

Get a Scholarship Specifically for a Laptop

It would also interest you to know that some scholarships specifically provide laptops for students. Scholarships such as Laptops 4 Learning and Dell Scholars Program offer laptops.

Attend One of the Cheap Online Colleges That Offer Laptops

Several cheap online colleges offer laptops. We will discuss some of them later in this article.

Some of the colleges allow you to keep the laptop after graduation while others require you to return the laptop after your academic program.

Frequently Asked Questions about Cheap Online Colleges That Offer Laptops

Conclusion

Online learning necessitates owning a laptop. We have highlighted 20 cheap online colleges that offer laptops. Some offer them for free or at discounted rates, while others give them out as loans. Whichever the case, these colleges help lighten the financial burden that may come from paying for tuition and buying a laptop at the same time.

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