Target will cover 100 percent of college tuition for its workers
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AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki, File
A sign at a Target store is pictured Thursday, June 24, 2021, in Oklahoma City.
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Charlie Nguyen // Flickr
There are many differences between public and private colleges: Public universities often have larger class sizes and more degree options while private universities are known for better access to professors and greater geographical diversity among students because in-state tuition isn’t a consideration. But the biggest difference for many? Cost.
Stacker looked at Niche's 2021 list of the best value colleges in America. This ranking includes only public, four-year colleges and weighs the cost of tuition with each school’s acceptance rate, quality of professors, diversity, and the median earnings for alumni six years after graduation.
For in-state students, and even some out-of-state students, public universities are usually far less expensive than private institutions (though that doesn’t mean students at these schools graduate debt-free). The difference in price doesn’t mean that value is lost. On the contrary, some of the most prestigious schools in the United States, from the West Coast to the East Coast, are public universities, and many are conducting cutting-edge research that will fuel the technologies of tomorrow. And, in some cases, the return on investment is greater for those attending public programs. But which public colleges have proved their value the most?
Read on to see which public schools prospective students can apply to that will allow them to maximize their educational potential.
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Sadads // Wikimedia Commons
- Location: Rapid City, SD
- Undergraduate enrollment: 1,873
- Student to faculty ratio: 15:1
- Acceptance rate: 77%
- Graduation rate: 49%
- Tuition: $11,020 in-state; $15,400 out-of-state
- Six-year median earnings: $56,500
- Two-year employment rate: 94%
- Overall rank: #159
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SD Dirk // Wikimedia Commons
- Location: Ames, IA
- Undergraduate enrollment: 27,929
- Student to faculty ratio: 19:1
- Acceptance rate: 92%
- Graduation rate: 74%
- Tuition: $9,320 in-state; $24,508 out-of-state
- Six-year median earnings: $50,700
- Two-year employment rate: 96%
- Overall rank: #158
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Mds08011 // Wikimedia Commons
- Location: Tacoma, WA
- Undergraduate enrollment: 4,005
- Student to faculty ratio: 16:1
- Acceptance rate: 87%
- Graduation rate: 56%
- Tuition: $11,639 in-state; $38,340 out-of-state
- Six-year median earnings: $57,700
- Two-year employment rate: 91%
- Overall rank: #157
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John9474 // Wikimedia Commons
- Location: Stamford, CT
- Undergraduate enrollment: 1,701
- Student to faculty ratio: 19:1
- Acceptance rate: 91%
- Graduation rate: 64%
- Tuition: $14,648 in-state; $37,316 out-of-state
- Six-year median earnings: $58,400
- Two-year employment rate: 95%
- Overall rank: #152
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CocoaBeachBoy // Wikimedia Commons
- Location: Charleston, SC
- Undergraduate enrollment: 2,654
- Student to faculty ratio: 12:1
- Acceptance rate: 75%
- Graduation rate: 74%
- Tuition: $12,620 in-state; $35,876 out-of-state
- Six-year median earnings: $56,800
- Two-year employment rate: 96%
- Overall rank: #149
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OregonTech // Wikimedia Commons
- Location: Klamath Falls, OR
- Undergraduate enrollment: 2,311
- Student to faculty ratio: 15:1
- Acceptance rate: 97%
- Graduation rate: 46%
- Tuition: $10,485 in-state; $29,637 out-of-state
- Six-year median earnings: $56,600
- Two-year employment rate: 94%
- Overall rank: #148
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Beyond My Ken // Wikimedia Commons
- Location: New York, NY
- Undergraduate enrollment: 11,495
- Student to faculty ratio: 18:1
- Acceptance rate: 43%
- Graduation rate: 70%
- Tuition: $7,462 in-state; $15,412 out-of-state
- Six-year median earnings: $57,200
- Two-year employment rate: 89%
- Overall rank: #147
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Joe Mabel // Wikimedia Commons
- Location: Bothell, WA
- Undergraduate enrollment: 4,623
- Student to faculty ratio: 20:1
- Acceptance rate: 74%
- Graduation rate: 69%
- Tuition: $11,390 in-state; $38,091 out-of-state
- Six-year median earnings: $57,700
- Two-year employment rate: 91%
- Overall rank: #144
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AlexiusHoratius // Wikimedia Commons
- Location: Minneapolis, MN
- Undergraduate enrollment: 30,001
- Student to faculty ratio: 17:1
- Acceptance rate: 57%
- Graduation rate: 83%
- Tuition: $15,027 in-state; $33,325 out-of-state
- Six-year median earnings: $51,900
- Two-year employment rate: 94%
- Overall rank: #142
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UCSB Library // Wikimedia Commons
- Location: Santa Barbara, CA
- Undergraduate enrollment: 22,601
- Student to faculty ratio: 22:1
- Acceptance rate: 30%
- Graduation rate: 83%
- Tuition: $14,445 in-state; $42,199 out-of-state
- Six-year median earnings: $55,300
- Two-year employment rate: 91%
- Overall rank: #137
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Pi.1415926535 // Wikimedia Commons
- Location: Groton, CT
- Undergraduate enrollment: 502
- Student to faculty ratio: 16:1
- Acceptance rate: 94%
- Graduation rate: 61%
- Tuition: $14,638 in-state; $37,306 out-of-state
- Six-year median earnings: $58,400
- Two-year employment rate: 95%
- Overall rank: #135
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Tomwsulcer // Wikimedia Commons
- Location: Ewing, NJ
- Undergraduate enrollment: 6,823
- Student to faculty ratio: 13:1
- Acceptance rate: 49%
- Graduation rate: 86%
- Tuition: $16,942 in-state; $28,921 out-of-state
- Six-year median earnings: $58,500
- Two-year employment rate: 95%
- Overall rank: #130
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Canva
- Location: Waterbury, CT
- Undergraduate enrollment: 769
- Student to faculty ratio: 22:1
- Acceptance rate: 95%
- Graduation rate: 64%
- Tuition: $14,638 in-state; $37,306 out-of-state
- Six-year median earnings: $58,400
- Two-year employment rate: 95%
- Overall rank: #128
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Cargoudel // Wikimedia Commons
- Location: Newark, DE
- Undergraduate enrollment: 18,355
- Student to faculty ratio: 15:1
- Acceptance rate: 71%
- Graduation rate: 81%
- Tuition: $14,280 in-state; $35,710 out-of-state
- Six-year median earnings: $57,000
- Two-year employment rate: 96%
- Overall rank: #126
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Yb20061462 // Wikimedia Commons
- Location: Vestal, NY
- Undergraduate enrollment: 13,630
- Student to faculty ratio: 19:1
- Acceptance rate: 41%
- Graduation rate: 82%
- Tuition: $10,201 in-state; $27,791 out-of-state
- Six-year median earnings: $61,600
- Two-year employment rate: 92%
- Overall rank: #124
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John Phelan // Wikimedia Commons
- Location: Storrs, CT
- Undergraduate enrollment: 18,478
- Student to faculty ratio: 16:1
- Acceptance rate: 49%
- Graduation rate: 84%
- Tuition: $17,226 in-state; $39,894 out-of-state
- Six-year median earnings: $58,400
- Two-year employment rate: 95%
- Overall rank: #122
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DXR // Wikimedia Commons
- Location: Athens, GA
- Undergraduate enrollment: 27,947
- Student to faculty ratio: 17:1
- Acceptance rate: 45%
- Graduation rate: 87%
- Tuition: $12,080 in-state; $31,120 out-of-state
- Six-year median earnings: $50,500
- Two-year employment rate: 92%
- Overall rank: #117
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Ryan Kosmides // Wikimedia Commons
- Location: College Park, MD
- Undergraduate enrollment: 28,501
- Student to faculty ratio: 18:1
- Acceptance rate: 44%
- Graduation rate: 87%
- Tuition: $10,779 in-state; $36,891 out-of-state
- Six-year median earnings: $62,900
- Two-year employment rate: 93%
- Overall rank: #115
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Joe Mabel // Wikimedia Commons
- Location: Seattle, WA
- Undergraduate enrollment: 29,496
- Student to faculty ratio: 19:1
- Acceptance rate: 52%
- Graduation rate: 84%
- Tuition: $11,465 in-state; $38,166 out-of-state
- Six-year median earnings: $57,700
- Two-year employment rate: 91%
- Overall rank: #105
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Yousef Abdul-Husein // Wikimedia Commons
- Location: Clemson, SC
- Undergraduate enrollment: 18,971
- Student to faculty ratio: 16:1
- Acceptance rate: 51%
- Graduation rate: 84%
- Tuition: $15,558 in-state; $38,550 out-of-state
- Six-year median earnings: $52,400
- Two-year employment rate: 94%
- Overall rank: #103
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imwilliam // Flickr
- Location: Vallejo, CA
- Undergraduate enrollment: 975
- Student to faculty ratio: 13:1
- Acceptance rate: 76%
- Graduation rate: 67%
- Tuition: $7,160 in-state; $19,040 out-of-state
- Six-year median earnings: $82,900
- Two-year employment rate: 95%
- Overall rank: #102
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jedhakuro // Flickr
- Location: Newark, NJ
- Undergraduate enrollment: 6,827
- Student to faculty ratio: 17:1
- Acceptance rate: 73%
- Graduation rate: 67%
- Tuition: $17,674 in-state; $33,386 out-of-state
- Six-year median earnings: $68,500
- Two-year employment rate: 92%
- Overall rank: #101
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Allyunion // Wikimedia Commons
- Location: Irvine, CA
- Undergraduate enrollment: 29,251
- Student to faculty ratio: 18:1
- Acceptance rate: 27%
- Graduation rate: 84%
- Tuition: $13,727 in-state; $43,481 out-of-state
- Six-year median earnings: $58,400
- Two-year employment rate: 90%
- Overall rank: #99
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Cbg628 // Wikimedia Commons
- Location: Raleigh, NC
- Undergraduate enrollment: 22,317
- Student to faculty ratio: 14:1
- Acceptance rate: 45%
- Graduation rate: 82%
- Tuition: $9,100 in-state; $29,220 out-of-state
- Six-year median earnings: $52,500
- Two-year employment rate: 94%
- Overall rank: #97
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loustejskal // Flickr
- Location: La Jolla, CA
- Undergraduate enrollment: 29,491
- Student to faculty ratio: 19:1
- Acceptance rate: 31%
- Graduation rate: 87%
- Tuition: $14,415 in-state; $44,169 out-of-state
- Six-year median earnings: $59,900
- Two-year employment rate: 89%
- Overall rank: #96
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Bev Sykes // Wikimedia Commons
- Location: Davis, CA
- Undergraduate enrollment: 29,967
- Student to faculty ratio: 20:1
- Acceptance rate: 39%
- Graduation rate: 87%
- Tuition: $14,495 in-state; $44,249 out-of-state
- Six-year median earnings: $58,200
- Two-year employment rate: 91%
- Overall rank: #94
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James Madison University Creative Media // Wikimedia Commons
- Location: Harrisonurg, VA
- Undergraduate enrollment: 18,881
- Student to faculty ratio: 16:1
- Acceptance rate: 77%
- Graduation rate: 84%
- Tuition: $12,330 in-state; $29,230 out-of-state
- Six-year median earnings: $56,600
- Two-year employment rate: 96%
- Overall rank: #91
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Caroline Culler // Wikimedia Commons
- Location: Chapel Hill, NC
- Undergraduate enrollment: 18,526
- Student to faculty ratio: 13:1
- Acceptance rate: 23%
- Graduation rate: 91%
- Tuition: $8,980 in-state; $36,159 out-of-state
- Six-year median earnings: $55,600
- Two-year employment rate: 94%
- Overall rank: #84
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Bogdan Migulski // Flickr
- Location: Los Angeles, CA
- Undergraduate enrollment: 31,009
- Student to faculty ratio: 18:1
- Acceptance rate: 12%
- Graduation rate: 92%
- Tuition: $13,240 in-state; $42,994 out-of-state
- Six-year median earnings: $60,700
- Two-year employment rate: 89%
- Overall rank: #79
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Jon Kees // Wikimedia Commons
- Location: Madison, WI
- Undergraduate enrollment: 29,375
- Student to faculty ratio: 17:1
- Acceptance rate: 54%
- Graduation rate: 88%
- Tuition: $10,725 in-state; $37,785 out-of-state
- Six-year median earnings: $56,200
- Two-year employment rate: 95%
- Overall rank: #76
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adam_jones // Flickr
- Location: Champaign, IL
- Undergraduate enrollment: 32,757
- Student to faculty ratio: 20:1
- Acceptance rate: 59%
- Graduation rate: 85%
- Tuition: $15,122 in-state; $32,264 out-of-state
- Six-year median earnings: $61,500
- Two-year employment rate: 95%
- Overall rank: #74
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Utexas // Wikimedia Commons
- Location: Austin, TX
- Undergraduate enrollment: 38,097
- Student to faculty ratio: 18:1
- Acceptance rate: 32%
- Graduation rate: 86%
- Tuition: $10,824 in-state; $38,326 out-of-state
- Six-year median earnings: $58,200
- Two-year employment rate: 93%
- Overall rank: #73
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Stu Seeger // Wikimedia Commons
- Location: College Station, TX
- Undergraduate enrollment: 47,399
- Student to faculty ratio: 20:1
- Acceptance rate: 58%
- Graduation rate: 82%
- Tuition: $12,153 in-state; $38,602 out-of-state
- Six-year median earnings: $58,000
- Two-year employment rate: 95%
- Overall rank: #70
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Diego Delso // Wikimedia Commons
- Location: West Lafayette, IN
- Undergraduate enrollment: 31,849
- Student to faculty ratio: 13:1
- Acceptance rate: 60%
- Graduation rate: 82%
- Tuition: $9,992 in-state; $28,794 out-of-state
- Six-year median earnings: $55,100
- Two-year employment rate: 95%
- Overall rank: #67
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Spohpatuf // Wikimedia Commons
- Location: Gainesville, FL
- Undergraduate enrollment: 32,209
- Student to faculty ratio: 18:1
- Acceptance rate: 37%
- Graduation rate: 88%
- Tuition: $6,381 in-state; $28,659 out-of-state
- Six-year median earnings: $56,000
- Two-year employment rate: 92%
- Overall rank: #66
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Creative Commons // Wikimedia Commons
- Location: Berkeley, CA
- Undergraduate enrollment: 29,570
- Student to faculty ratio: 20:1
- Acceptance rate: 16%
- Graduation rate: 93%
- Tuition: $14,253 in-state; $44,007 out-of-state
- Six-year median earnings: $64,700
- Two-year employment rate: 88%
- Overall rank: #61
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Steveewatkins // Wikimedia Commons
- Location: Rolla, MO
- Undergraduate enrollment: 6,065
- Student to faculty ratio: 18:1
- Acceptance rate: 79%
- Graduation rate: 66%
- Tuition: $8,568 in-state; $26,660 out-of-state
- Six-year median earnings: $71,200
- Two-year employment rate: 95%
- Overall rank: #60
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Jcvertin // Wikimedia Commons
- Location: Houghton, MI
- Undergraduate enrollment: 5,465
- Student to faculty ratio: 13:1
- Acceptance rate: 74%
- Graduation rate: 70%
- Tuition: $15,660 in-state; $34,896 out-of-state
- Six-year median earnings: $66,400
- Two-year employment rate: 97%
- Overall rank: #58
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Rob Bulmahn // Wikimedia Commons
- Location: San Luis Obispo, CA
- Undergraduate enrollment: 20,333
- Student to faculty ratio: 21:1
- Acceptance rate: 28%
- Graduation rate: 82%
- Tuition: $9,943 in-state; $23,833 out-of-state
- Six-year median earnings: $66,900
- Two-year employment rate: 95%
- Overall rank: #56
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Jrcla2 // Wikimedia Commons
- Location: Williamsburg, VA
- Undergraduate enrollment: 6,300
- Student to faculty ratio: 11:1
- Acceptance rate: 38%
- Graduation rate: 90%
- Tuition: $17,434 in-state; $40,089 out-of-state
- Six-year median earnings: $58,500
- Two-year employment rate: 94%
- Overall rank: #55
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Jimmy and Sasha Reede // Flickr
- Location: Blacksburg, VA
- Undergraduate enrollment: 27,180
- Student to faculty ratio: 14:1
- Acceptance rate: 70%
- Graduation rate: 86%
- Tuition: $13,691 in-state; $32,835 out-of-state
- Six-year median earnings: $62,500
- Two-year employment rate: 96%
- Overall rank: #54
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Canva
- Location: Ann Arbor, MI
- Undergraduate enrollment: 29,245
- Student to faculty ratio: 11:1
- Acceptance rate: 23%
- Graduation rate: 93%
- Tuition: $15,558 in-state; $51,200 out-of-state
- Six-year median earnings: $63,400
- Two-year employment rate: 94%
- Overall rank: #47
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Billy Hathorn // Wikimedia Commons
- Location: Castine, ME
- Undergraduate enrollment: 958
- Student to faculty ratio: 11:1
- Acceptance rate: 45%
- Graduation rate: 71%
- Tuition: $13,792 in-state; $27,820 out-of-state
- Six-year median earnings: $95,600
- Two-year employment rate: 96%
- Overall rank: #43
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Ben Lunsford // Wikimedia Commons
- Location: Charlottesville, VA
- Undergraduate enrollment: 15,990
- Student to faculty ratio: 15:1
- Acceptance rate: 24%
- Graduation rate: 95%
- Tuition: $17,798 in-state; $50,900 out-of-state
- Six-year median earnings: $61,200
- Two-year employment rate: 94%
- Overall rank: #42
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Jim.henderson // Wikimedia Commons
- Location: Throggs Neck, NY
- Undergraduate enrollment: 1,542
- Student to faculty ratio: 15:1
- Acceptance rate: 74%
- Graduation rate: 75%
- Tuition: $7,070 in-state; $16,980 out-of-state
- Six-year median earnings: $82,800
- Two-year employment rate: 95%
- Overall rank: #29
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massmaritime // Flickr
- Location: Buzzards Bay, MA
- Undergraduate enrollment: 1,614
- Student to faculty ratio: 16:1
- Acceptance rate: 91%
- Graduation rate: 76%
- Tuition: $10,018 in-state; $25,752 out-of-state
- Six-year median earnings: $86,600
- Two-year employment rate: 97%
- Overall rank: #24
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cogdogblog // Flickr
- Location: Golden, CO
- Undergraduate enrollment: 4,709
- Student to faculty ratio: 15:1
- Acceptance rate: 53%
- Graduation rate: 83%
- Tuition: $19,062 in-state; $39,762 out-of-state
- Six-year median earnings: $84,900
- Two-year employment rate: 95%
- Overall rank: #22
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koocbur // Wikimedia Commons
- Location: Lexington, VA
- Undergraduate enrollment: 1,685
- Student to faculty ratio: 10:1
- Acceptance rate: 60%
- Graduation rate: 79%
- Tuition: $19,118 in-state; $45,962 out-of-state
- Six-year median earnings: $65,700
- Two-year employment rate: 97%
- Overall rank: #21
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JJohahJackalope // Wikimedia Commons
- Location: Atlanta, GA
- Undergraduate enrollment: 14,318
- Student to faculty ratio: 18:1
- Acceptance rate: 21%
- Graduation rate: 90%
- Tuition: $12,682 in-state; $33,794 out-of-state
- Six-year median earnings: $79,100
- Two-year employment rate: 95%
- Overall rank: #13
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Jim.henderson // Wikimedia Commons
- Location: Kings Point, NY
- Undergraduate enrollment: 996
- Student to faculty ratio: 13:1
- Acceptance rate: 25%
- Graduation rate: 80%
- Tuition: $1,050 in-state; $1,050 out-of-state
- Six-year median earnings: $88,100
- Two-year employment rate: 97%
- Overall rank: #1
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Target has announced that it will begin paying the college tuition and textbook expenses for its US-based part-time and full-time employees who attend select schools.
The retail giant is following the lead of other large US companies offering more benefits to attract and retain talent in a tight job market.
Keep scrolling for a ranking of the 50 best value public colleges in America
Starting as early as their first day on the job, more than 340,000 employees at Target stores and distribution centers will now be able to choose from 250 programs at over 40 schools and universities across the country, and they won’t have to pay a dollar, Target said in a news release.
“A significant number of our hourly team members build their careers at Target, and we know many would like to pursue additional education opportunities,” Melissa Kremer, chief human resources officer at Target, said in a statement. “We don’t want the cost to be a barrier for anyone, and that’s where Target can step in to make education accessible for everyone.”
Target said it will also pay up to $10,000 a year for master’s programs within its available network of schools, which include the University of Arizona, Oregon State University and historically Black colleges and universities like Morehouse College and Paul Quinn.
Along with associates and undergraduate degrees, employees will also have access to numerous certificates and boot camp programs, according to the release.
Target is partnering with education platform Guild Education and investing $200 million within the next four years to make it all possible, the release said.
The move comes as retailers around the country face challenges hiring workers to staff stores and warehouses.
Last week, Walmart, America’s largest retailer, announced it will pay for full college tuition and book costs at some schools for its US workers.
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