20 Accredited Online Colleges That Offer Laptops

Owning an up-to-date computer is essential to complete today’s high-tech online courses.

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Maybe you’re using a years-old desktop. You might have an ancient laptop. Perhaps you have to got to the library to use computers there. Whatever the case, it’s time for an upgrade!

The problem is that laptops can be extremely expensive. Laptopmag notes that one of the best MacBooks – the MacBook Air – is “cheap” at $999. That’s still a lot of money!

Of course, laptops can be far more expensive than that. Some high-end laptops have a price tag well over $3,000!

However, these costly figures shouldn’t make you fear online higher education. That’s because many online colleges work with manufacturers to give college students laptops for cheaper rates or totally free! Sometimes, “free” laptops are financed with a technology fee, though.

These laptops enhance mobile learning with:

Microsoft Office
Wi-Fi
Apps for productivity
An extended warranty
Theft protection

To locate online colleges that provide laptops, we filtered out online education providers on the NCES College Navigator. Next, we narrowed down the list based on availability of valuable technology initiatives. Each school on this list has to:

Provide two or more online degrees
Reduce the cost of the laptop or provide free laptops
Be accredited by CHEA-recognized agencies

Additionally, we chose to include online schools that rank in U.S. News & Word Report’s college rankings or rank highly on other platforms, like Niche or Forbes.

So, with our discussion of the methodology we used to arrive at this list, let’s get to the best online colleges that offer laptops!

1. Wake Forest University

Wake Forest University is U.S. News & World Report’s 28th-best national university. With such a high ranking, WKU is a sought-after school for full-time undergraduate students.

The university is also 24th in the nation among best value schools. Part of the reason for this high ranking is its WakeWare program.

WakeWare gives undergraduate students discounts on laptops for school. While you’re free to use your own laptop for online studies, it’s recommended that you check that it meets Wake Forest’s strict requirements for minimum performance.

If you need a laptop, WakeWare offers educational pricing for selected laptops. The program also includes extended insurance and warranties. This means you get a new, high-powered laptops with a four-year warranty. You also get accidental damage protection.

You can order a laptop from WakeWare any time of year. But, it’s recommended to make your purchase in July to take advantage of summer sales.

Wake Forest offers many online undergraduate courses. You can even get graduate degrees online. This includes:

Master of Project Management
Master of Arts in Counseling
Master of Studies in Law

Average Undergraduate Tuition Per Year: $57,760 (including fees)

Learn more about Wake Forest’s Laptop Program.

2. Bethel University

Bethel University is in Tennessee. It’s a private, Christian school with an enrollment of just over 2,300 undergraduate students.

Despite its small size, Bethel enjoys a high ranking among online schools that enhance college students’ social mobility. In fact, it ranks 22nd. The university is also among the top 137 regional universities in the south.

If you enroll at Bethel University, you’ll get a free Chromebook (most colleges offer laptops, though). As an online student, you’ll get your Chromebook mailed directly to you from the university.

While Chromebooks aren’t as powerful as traditional laptops, they have the advantage of being small, lightweight, and fast. Chromebooks also tend to start up faster, so you can get right to your coursework rather than waiting for your laptop to boot up.

Bethel University offers 43 different academic programs online, including associate’s degrees, bachelor’s programs, master’s programs, and certificates. This includes:

Associate of Arts in Criminal Justice
Bachelor or Arts in Emergency Services Management
MBA in Sports Management

Average Undergraduate Tuition: $477 per credit hour

Learn more about Bethel University’s Chromebook Program.

3. St. John’s University

St. John’s University ranks 172nd among national universities according to U.S. News & World Report. The University also ranks 41st among top performers for social mobility.

If you choose to study at St. John’s, you can save money on a school laptop through the University’s Academic Computing Initiative.

This program provides students like you discounts on Lenovo and Apple products. Discounts apply to laptops as well as to accessories like:

USB-C adapters
Headsets
Mice
Keyboards
Extra power cables
External monitors
USB hubs

St. John’s lists the specific machine requirements for its programs to ensure you get a laptop that’s powerful enough.

You can choose from many different online courses at St. John’s. The university also offers two 100 percent online degrees:

Master of Science in Library and Information Science
Ph.D. in Literacy

Average Undergraduate Tuition Per Year: $46,230

Learn more about St. John’s University’s Laptop Program.

4. Indiana State University

Indiana State University is in the top 209 public schools in the nation. It also ranks in the top 400 of national universities. It comes in at number four on our list of colleges with free laptops.

The University offers many different online degree programs at the undergraduate and graduate level. Some of your choices include:

Bachelor of Science in Marketing
Bachelor of Science in Psychology
Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering Technology
Master of Arts in History
Master of Science in Computer Science

You can begin your online degree program with a discounted laptop or a free laptop, depending on your circumstances.

Indiana State works with Dell to provide you a cheaper alternative than paying full-price for a laptop. In addition to the lower-cost laptop, you also get support from Indiana State for the laptop and a $100 Dell gift card to purchase accessories from the Dell Store. This applies to on-campus and off-campus students.

The school also has a Sycamore Technology Award. This program provides free laptops to students that are admitted to the university and who are eligible for Pell Grants.

Average Undergraduate Tuition Per Year: $9,318

Learn more about Indiana State University’s Laptop Program.

5. University of Minnesota-Crookston

The University of Minnesota-Crookston ranks very highly in U.S. News & World Report’s college rankings. In fact, the school holds the top spot among public schools. It also ranks 25th among regional colleges in the midwest.

The laptop program at Minnesota-Crookston began in 2009 and is still going strong today in the form of the UMC Advantage program. The low tuition rate makes this one of the least expensive colleges that offer laptops as well.

You can choose from a wide variety of degrees at Minnesota-Crookston, including:

Accounting
Finance
Criminal Justice
English
Sport and Recreation Management

You can add an online minor or certificate program to the mix, too!

Average Undergraduate Tuition Per Year: $10,822

Learn more about the University of Minnesota-Crookston’s Laptop Program.

6. Saint Leo University

Saint Leo University ranks 29th among regional universities in the South, according to U.S. News & World Report.

The University doesn’t offer free laptops for the taking. But, you can rent a laptop through the University’s DoIT Laptop Rental Program. This program ensures you can access course materials if you can’t afford a laptop of your own by using a loaner laptop.

Eligibility for the program is simple: you must be an undergraduate student and you must study at least part-time. Full-time students are also eligible.

The only catch is that rental laptops are available on a first-come, first-serve basis. You must also pay a $250 deposit.

Online learning options abound at Saint Leo. You can choose from programs like:

Information Technology
Religion & Theology
Education
Social Work
Criminal Justice

There are also several online master’s degree programs if you want to continue your studies.

Average Undergraduate Tuition: $380 per credit hour

Learn more about Saint Leo University’s Laptop Program.

7. Seton Hill University

Seton Hill University ranks 127th among national universities. This private school in South Orange, New Jersey has a solid reputation for excellent academics.

As a student at Seton Hall, you can participate in the Mobile Computing Program. You’ll get the laptop before the start of the fall semester of your freshman year. If you graduate from Seton Hall, you get to keep the laptop!

Seton Hall does not offer undergraduate degrees online at this time. But, the school does have a wide selection of master’s degrees and certificates for new students that can be completed remotely. This includes:

Doctor of Nursing Practice
Master of Arts in School Counseling
Master of Science in Business Analytics
MBA in Marketing
Master of Arts in Theology

Average Undergraduate Tuition Per Year: $44,420

Learn more about Seton Hall University’s Laptop Program.

8. Azusa Pacific University

Azusa Pacific University ranks highly for students’ first year experiences – it’s 28th in the nation. The school also ranks 263rd among national universities.

As student at Azusa Pacific University, you can get a discounted laptop at the campus IMT Computer Store. The same discounts are available on the store’s website for online students. Though this isn’t one of the online schools that give laptops, these discounts will make a difference in savings!

You can pursue any number of online certificates, undergraduate degrees, and master’s degrees at this school. For example, you can choose from:

Ph.D. in Higher Education
Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice
Master of Arts in Art Education
Associate’s Degree in Nursing to Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing
Doctor of Nursing Practice

The certificate programs available online include a number of education-related options, like Teaching English as a Foreign Language.

Average Undergraduate Tuition Per Year: $41,650

Learn more about Azusa Pacific University’s Laptop Program.

9. Full Sail University

Full Sail University has an overall score of B- from Niche. Additionally, the University has a huge selection of online programs, including certificates, undergraduate degrees, and graduate degrees.

If you want to pursue a bachelor’s degree, you can choose from:

3-D Arts
Computer Science
Graphic Design
Web Development
Sports Marketing & Media

As a graduate student, you can get a degree in:

Instructional Design & Technology
Business Intelligence
Public Relations

Full Sail’s laptop program, Project LaunchBox, sets you up with a laptop and all the software you need for success. In fact, these boxes are specific to your program, so you get the precise technology needed for your degree.

The cost of the LaunchBox is included in tuition, so all the gear you get is yours to keep.

Average Undergraduate Tuition: From $583 per credit and up

Learn more about Full Sail University’s Laptop Program.

10. Rochester University

Rochester University is in Rochester Hills, Michigan. It’s a small private school that’s relatively new – it was founded in 1959.

According to U.S. News & World Report, Rochester University ranks 53rd among regional colleges in the Midwest. The school is also 47th for social mobility.

The University has a generous laptop program. All incoming freshman students get an Apple MacBook for free. If you have 29 college credits or fewer, you’re eligible to get an Apple MacBook Pro Laptop or an iPad for free.

There are many programs you can pursue at Rochester, including undergraduate options like:

Mass Communications
Sports Management
Elementary Education
Biology
Digital Marketing.

Rochester University also offers a number of accelerated bachelor’s degree options that allow you to finish your degree early.

Average Undergraduate Tuition Per Year: $26,736

Learn more about Rochester College’s Laptop Program.

11. Colorado Technical University

Colorado Technical University has a number of online programs ranked in the top 100 by U.S. News & World Report. For example, CTU has the 52nd-best online master’s degree in computer information technology. The school also has the 61st-ranked master’s program in criminal justice.

The free laptop program at CTU is not a formal university program. Instead, there are many scholarships and grants recognized by the university that come with free laptops.

For example, the Patriot Scholarship provides a laptop, textbooks, tuition, and fees for college students wounded in the line of duty while serving in the armed forces. Spouses, unmarried children, and caregivers of wounded veterans are also eligible.

This is just one example of many scholarships and grants that offer free laptops for CTU students. Many online colleges that give laptops have similar programs.

CTU offers various degrees from associate’s up to doctorates. Popular options include:

Associate of Arts in Business Administration
Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering
Master of Science in Nursing
Ph.D. in Management

Average Undergraduate Tuition Per Year: $12,573

Learn more about Colorado Technical Unversity’s Scholarships with Laptops.

12. Chatham University

Chatham University is a private school established in 1869 in Pennsylvania. Today, it has just over 1,300 undergraduate students. This small community of learners is tight-knit, both on campus and online. It ranks 12th on our list of online schools that provide laptops.

U.S. News & World Report ranks Chatham as the 172nd-best national university. The school also ranks 111th among best value online schools.

The University has a 1:1 undergraduate program that puts an Apple MacBook Air in the hands of every incoming freshman. Transfer students to Chatham might get a MacBook or MacBook Air, depending on the number of credits you have.

You also get:

Carrying Case
4-Year AppleCare Warranty
4-Year SafeWare Accidental Damage Protection
4-Year SafeWare Theft Protection
Helpdesk Repair Services

As a student at Chatham, you can select from many different degree options, including:

Business Administration (Undergraduate)
Psychology (Undergraduate)
MBA
Health Informatics (Graduate)
Doctor of Nursing Practice

Average Undergraduate Tuition Per Year: $42,125 (including fees)

Learn more about Chatham University’s Laptop Program.

13. Oklahoma Christian University

Oklahoma Christian University is a private, religious school in Oklahoma City. It’s a small school with around 1,700 undergraduate students.

Students at OCU are required to have a laptop. Chromebooks are not acceptable. To help students get outfitted with the technology they need, OCU offers discounted rates for laptops from Apple and Dell.

OCU offers various programs of study online. This includes an RN to BSN program for nurses to get their bachelor’s degree. There are also degrees and certification programs in:

Teaching
Business
Theology
Education
Human Sciences

Some of these degree programs are at the graduate level, so you can continue your education at OCU after you complete your bachelor’s degree.

Average Undergraduate Tuition Per Year: $24,550

Learn more about Oklahoma Christian University’s Laptop Program.

14. Strayer University

Strayer University offers a unique free laptop program. Just enroll in one of their online degrees and complete at least three quarters of studies. After that, the laptop is yours! The University doesn’t require students to do anything else to keep the laptop.

This is a proprietary university. It was founded in 1892. Strayer has a program for you whether you want to get an undergraduate or graduate degree. Some of the options you have include:

Bachelor of Business Administration
Bachelor of Applied Science in Management
Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice
Master of Human Resource Management
Master of Science in Information Systems

Strayer also offers many online certificate programs, including certificates in corporate learning and educational administration, as well as a graduate certificate in digital entrepreneurship.

Average Undergraduate Tuition: $1,525 (per course)

Learn more about Strayer University’s Laptop Program.

15. Northwest Missouri State University

Next on the list of online schools that offer laptops is Northwest Missouri State University. It’s a public four-year university. It ranks 31st among top public schools and 101st among regional universities in the Midwest. It’s also an extremely affordable option with some of the lowest tuition rates of schools on this list.

When you enroll at Northwest Missouri State, you get a free laptop and free textbooks. The school issues the latest HP laptops to students, so you have the hardware needed for online learning.

Your studies at Northwest can take many different routes. For example, you can study:

Business
Nursing
Education
Accounting
Psychology

There are undergraduate and graduate degree programs online as well.

Average Undergraduate Tuition Per Year: $11,065.80 (in-state); $18649.20 (out-of-state)

Learn more about Northwest Missouri State University’s Laptop Program.

16. Drexel University

Drexel is a large, private university in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It’s a large school, with nearly 15,000 undergraduates.

To help online students like you be successful, Drexel offers discounts on laptops and computer accessories. These discounts apply at multiple vendors, including Dell and Apple.

You can pursue virtually any subject you like in your online studies at Drexel. There’s bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral programs available in areas like:

Engineering
Business
Education
Technology
Public Health

You can also work on any number of certificate programs. Popular options include:

Computer Science
Communication
Psychology

Drexel ranks as the 57th most innovative school and 100th among best value schools.

Average Undergraduate Tuition Per Year: $56,238

Learn more about Drexel University’s Laptop Program.

17. Southern New Hampshire University

Southern New Hampshire University is one of the largest online colleges in the United States. It also offers discounts for students to purchase laptops for their studies.

While SNHU doesn’t offer free laptops, its education discounts at Apple and Dell will help you save money on your college education.

Speaking of education, SNHU has you covered with dozens of online degree options. You can choose from:

Health
Liberal Arts
Social Science
Technology
Art & Design

SNHU is a well-regarded school. It ranks 1st among innovative schools and is in the top 171 regional universities in the north.

Average Undergraduate Tuition: $320 per credit

Learn more about Southern New Hampshire University’s Laptop Program for Dell and Apple.

18. Southern Nazarene University

Southern Nazarene University is a private college. It ranks 64th among regional universities in the west. It also ranks 94th for social mobility.

The school has a partnership with Dell to offer discounted rates to students that need a laptop. These savings can be applied toward making other needed purchases, like computer accessories or textbooks.

Studying at Southern Nazarene can open your horizons to many different disciplines. You can choose to major in:

Business Administration
Cybersecurity
Organizational Leadership
Teaching
Counseling Psychology

Southern Nazarene also offers a doctoral program in Education Administration and Leadership.

Average Undergraduate Tuition: $299 per credit and up

Learn more about Southern Nazarene University’s Laptop Program.

19. University of Arkansas Grantham

The University of Arkansas Grantham is a public school that’s part of the University of Arkansas system. There are nearly 10,000 undergraduate students at the school.

According to Niche, Grantham has a 4.5 out of 5-star rating. Part of the reason it’s highly reviewed is the low tuition costs. Military members pay just $250 per credit. Traditional undergrads pay only $295 per credit.

While at Grantham, you can study many different subjects:

Accounting
Computer Science
Strategic Communications
Criminal Justice
Health Systems Management

You can work on your studies on a new Lenovo laptop, too. Incoming students that qualify receive the laptop free of charge.

Average Undergraduate Tuition: $295 per credit and up

Learn more about Grantham University’s Laptop Program.

20. Dakota State University

Dakota State University ranks 20th among public schools. It also ranks 82nd among regional universities in the Midwest.

Dakota State is among the online colleges that offer free laptops. The school’s laptop program is called the Wireless Mobile Computing Initiative (WMCI). The program began in 2004, and gives full-time first-year students a laptop before the start of school in the fall.

You can use your new laptop to study both common and unique degree programs. For example, you can choose to major in:

Artificial Intelligence
Cyber Leadership and Intelligence
Analytics
Professional Accountancy
Web Development

Degrees are available at the associates, bachelors, masters, and doctoral levels.

Average Undergraduate Tuition Per Year: $8,834.30 (in-state); $11,937.00 (out-of-state). Both figures include fees.

Learn more about Dakota State University’s Laptop Program.

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