Here are the 10 best companies offering tuition reimbursement.
Investing in your education while building your career is one of the smartest moves you can make, and the best companies recognize this by offering robust tuition reimbursement programs.
These forward-thinking employers help cover the high cost of college and certifications, empowering their employees to grow and advance.
At ShockTrail, we believe in a future where career growth and personal development go hand-in-hand. This guide highlights the top companies that are actively investing in their employees’ education, helping you identify workplaces that will support your long-term ambitions.
Why Tuition Reimbursement is a Top-Tier Employee Benefit
A tuition reimbursement program is a powerful statement from a company: “We believe in you and are willing to invest in your future.”
For the employee, it’s a transformative benefit that can eliminate or drastically reduce student loan debt, provide access to higher education that might otherwise be out of reach, and create a clear path for internal career advancement. For the employer, it’s a strategic tool to attract top talent, increase employee retention, and build a more skilled, motivated, and loyal workforce. It’s a true win-win.
Real-World Scenarios: How This Benefit Transforms Careers
Scenario 1: The Part-Time Barista Earning a Full Degree
- The Employee: Maria, a part-time barista at Starbucks.
- The Goal: To earn a bachelor’s degree in communications without accumulating massive debt.
- The Solution: Maria enrolls in the Starbucks College Achievement Plan (SCAP). Through the company’s partnership with Arizona State University (ASU) Online, she gets 100% of her tuition covered for a four-year online degree. She continues to work part-time, and her shifts are flexible enough to accommodate her studies. She graduates completely debt-free with a valuable degree, opening up new career paths both within and outside of Starbucks.
Scenario 2: The Warehouse Associate Becoming a Tech Professional
- The Employee: David, who works at an Amazon fulfillment center.
- The Goal: To pivot from a physically demanding job to a career in IT, a field he’s always been passionate about.
- The Solution: David utilizes Amazon’s Career Choice program. The program prepays 100% of his tuition for a local community college’s IT support certification program. Because the program focuses on in-demand fields, he knows the skills are relevant. Upon earning his certification, he has the credentials to successfully apply for a remote IT support role, completely changing his career trajectory without paying a cent out-of-pocket.
Scenario 3: The Bank Teller Moving into Corporate Finance
- The Employee: Chloe, a full-time teller at Bank of America.
- The Goal: To use her experience in banking as a springboard to a corporate finance role by earning an MBA.
- The Solution: Chloe takes advantage of Bank of America’s generous tuition reimbursement program, which offers up to $7,500 per year. She enrolls in a part-time online MBA program at a reputable state university. The reimbursement covers a significant portion of her annual costs, making the degree manageable. The combination of her MBA and her internal experience makes her a prime candidate for a promotion to a financial analyst position at the company’s headquarters.
Comparative Breakdown of Top Tuition Reimbursement Programs
The 10 Best Companies for Tuition Reimbursement in 2025
- Amazon: Through its Career Choice program, Amazon prepays 100% of tuition for certificates, associate’s, and now bachelor’s degrees for its hourly employees in high-demand fields.
- Starbucks: The Starbucks College Achievement Plan (SCAP) is legendary, offering 100% tuition coverage for a bachelor’s degree through ASU’s top-ranked online program for all eligible US employees.
- Target: Target’s Dream to Be program offers debt-free education, covering up to $5,250 for undergraduate and $10,000 for graduate degrees for all US-based employees from their first day of work.
- Walmart: Offers 100% coverage of college tuition and books for its US associates through its Live Better U (LBU) program and its partnership with Guild Education.
- Chipotle: Provides employees with the opportunity to earn a debt-free college degree in business or technology through its partnership with Guild Education, covering up to $5,250 per year.
- The Home Depot: Offers generous tuition reimbursement for both salaried and hourly associates, providing up to $5,000 per year for courses related to their business.
- Bank of America: Provides up to $7,500 per year for job-related courses and degree programs, supporting employee growth within the financial services industry.
- Verizon: Known for its strong employee benefits, Verizon offers up to $8,000 a year in tuition assistance for full-time employees to help them advance their careers.
- UPS: The Earn & Learn program is one of the company’s oldest and most famous benefits, offering part-time employees up to $5,250 in tuition assistance per calendar year, with a lifetime maximum of $25,000.
- Deloitte: A professional services firm that heavily invests in its people, Deloitte offers a Graduate School Assistance Program that provides significant tuition reimbursement for employees pursuing graduate studies.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What’s the difference between “reimbursement” and “assistance”?
“Tuition reimbursement” typically means you pay for the class upfront and the company pays you back after you successfully complete it. “Tuition assistance” is a broader term, and some programs, like Amazon’s Career Choice, will prepay the tuition directly to the school so you have no out-of-pocket costs.
Do I have to stay with the company after I get my degree?
This depends on the company’s policy. Many companies require you to stay for a certain period (e.g., one or two years) after the final reimbursement payment. If you leave before then, you may have to pay back a portion of the funds. Always read the fine print.
Can I study any subject I want?
Usually, the program of study must be relevant to the company’s business or prepare you for a viable career path within the company. However, some programs, like the Starbucks College Achievement Plan, offer a wide variety of degree options.
Are part-time employees eligible for this benefit?
Yes! One of the best trends in recent years is that leading companies like Starbucks, Target, and Amazon have extended these incredible benefits to their part-time hourly workers.
How do I apply for tuition reimbursement?
Typically, you’ll need to speak with your manager and the HR department before you enroll in a course. There is usually an internal application process to get the course or degree program pre-approved.
Do I have to get good grades?
Almost always, yes. Most programs require you to pass the course with a grade of “C” or better to be eligible for reimbursement.
Is the tuition reimbursement benefit taxed?
Under current US tax law (as of late 2025), employers can provide up to $5,250 per year in tax-free educational assistance. Any amount you receive above that is generally considered taxable income. At ShockTrail, we always advise consulting a tax professional for personal advice.
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