42. Freebies and Best Buys

The best things in life are free.

—American proverb

While parents shudder at the cost of a higher education today, a handful of colleges scattered across the country charge less tuition than a bag of theater popcorn. Yes, they are free. Even better, some of these generous schools don’t charge for room and board either.

Some of the places that waive the tuition costs are so-called working colleges, while other schools don’t require their students to lift a finger. Some of the most magnanimous colleges are also among the most elite, even though most families have probably never heard of them. The first three schools definitely fit that description. All three waive tuition, and the last school on the list also waives ...

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