Walmart College Program In 2026 (Your Complete Guide)
So you‘re interested in earning a college degree through Walmart‘s Live Better U program? Well, you‘ve come to the right place!
In this comprehensive guide, I‘ll give you all the details on Walmart‘s college benefits so you can decide if it‘s the right path for you. I‘m going to cover everything from tuition costs to application steps to school options.
By the end, you‘ll understand exactly how Walmart‘s LBU program works and how to get started. Let‘s dive in!
What Exactly Is Live Better U?
Live Better U (or LBU) is Walmart‘s education benefit program that offers associates the chance to earn college degrees and certificates for free.
Walmart pays 100% of tuition and books so employees at Walmart and Sam‘s Club can go to college completely debt-free. It‘s an incredible employee benefit!
The program first launched in 2018, but Walmart keeps expanding it. They recently removed the $1 daily fee making it completely free.
Over 1.5 million Walmart associates in the US are eligible for LBU. It gives them access to skills to advance their careers.
What Benefits Does the Walmart College Program Offer?
As a Walmart associate, here are all the education benefits you can access through Live Better U:
- 100% free college tuition at LBU‘s partner schools
- Free textbooks and course materials saving you thousands
- 10+ leading universities to choose from, all online
- Skills training like languages, professional courses, etc.
- High school completion courses to earn a diploma
- Certificates in fields like business management or optician training
- Expert coaching services to help pick a program and succeed in school
That‘s an incredibly comprehensive program! Walmart really invested in LBU to remove all barriers to education for associates.
What Schools and Programs Can You Attend Through LBU?
The Live Better U program partners with over 10 accredited universities to offer associate‘s and bachelor‘s degree programs.
Here are the current partner schools:
- Johnson & Wales University
- University of Arizona
- University of Denver
- Southern New Hampshire University
- Purdue University Global
- Penn Foster
- Brandman University
- Wilmington University
- Pathstream
- Voxy EnGen
These schools all offer online programs tailored to working adults. You can study on your own schedule wherever it‘s convenient for you.
The degrees focus mostly in business, supply chain, technology, and healthcare fields relevant to Walmart‘s operational needs.
But that still gives you plenty of options to choose a program aligned with your interests and career goals!
How Much Does the Walmart College Program Cost?
This is the best part – through LBU, you can earn a college degree from Walmart with no out-of-pocket costs.
Walmart covers 100% of tuition and books, so you won‘t pay a single dollar!
Previously, there was a small $1 daily fee. But Walmart realized even this minor cost prevented some people from enrolling.
So now the program is 100% free for associates. Walmart is investing nearly $1 billion to fund Live Better U and empower their workforce through education.
You also save on other costs like housing, commuting, or campus fees. LBU is designed to be financially accessible to all.
How Do You Sign Up for Walmart‘s College Program?
Eager to get started with LBU? Signing up takes just a few easy steps:
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Go to the Live Better U website: www.livebetteru.com
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Click "Get Started" and enter your Walmart employee ID number on the next page.
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Browse the list of all available programs and partner schools.
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Select the degree or certificate program you want to apply for.
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Complete the online application directly through the school‘s website.
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Get accepted and begin classes!
The LBU site has great resources to learn about the schools and programs. There are also education coaches available if you need any help!
Are There Any Restrictions to Qualify for LBU?
There are a few requirements associates must meet to be eligible for Walmart‘s college program:
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Must be employed with Walmart for at least 90 days in the US
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Can‘t already have an associate’s or bachelor’s degree
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Most salaried employees are not eligible, aside from some field facility workers
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Temporary or seasonal hires are not eligible for Live Better U
The program is primarily intended for Walmart‘s large hourly workforce. But even salaried managers may be able to use LBU for certificates.
Degrees are also limited to relevant fields like business, tech, and healthcare. Walmart won‘t pay for programs unrelated to their operations.
Does Walmart Offer College Scholarships?
Previously, Walmart provided separate tuition assistance through the Walmart Associate Scholarship and Walmart Dependent Scholarship.
However, those scholarship programs ended in 2021 once Live Better U expanded to cover 100% tuition.
Now all of Walmart‘s educational funding goes through LBU rather than external scholarships. This consolidated approach provides more comprehensive benefits.
Some grandfathered scholarship recipients can continue receiving limited funds until they complete their degree. But LBU has now fully replaced Walmart‘s past scholarships.
How Much Is Walmart Investing in Live Better U?
To fund Live Better U, Walmart projects spending nearly $1 billion over several years. Here are some details on how much they expect to pay:
- $20 million in 2018 to launch LBU
- $30 million in 2019 when the program first expanded
- Over $200 million per year starting in 2022
This huge investment demonstrates Walmart‘s commitment to associate education. Company leaders understand upskilling workers pays dividends.
According to Walmart, every $1 invested in LBU leads to a $2 return through recruitment and retention. So it‘s a smart long-term strategy.
And the program can genuinely change associates’ lives by empowering them to graduate debt-free.
Let‘s Recap – How Does Walmart‘s College Program Work?
Let‘s review the key details on Live Better U:
- Completely free tuition and textbooks for Walmart associates
- 10+ online universities to choose from
- Associate‘s and bachelor‘s degrees offered, mostly in business, technology, and healthcare
- Also offers certificates, skills training, and coaching
- Open to all hourly US store associates after 90 days of employment
- Walmart investing nearly $1 billion in free college for workers
So in a nutshell, LBU gives you the awesome chance to go to college at no cost while working at Walmart or Sam‘s Club!
Are You Ready to Apply for LBU?
I hope this guide gave you a comprehensive overview of how Walmart‘s college program works and what it offers.
Here are a few signs you‘re ready to apply for LBU:
✅ You want to earn a degree/certificate to advance your career
✅ You don‘t want to go into debt paying for college
✅ You‘re motivated to study online while working
✅ You meet the basic eligibility requirements
If that sounds like you, visit the Live Better U website and click "Get Started" today!
With hard work, you can graduate from a great school with prestigious companies like Walmart on your resume.
And you can do it debt-free! Seize this life-changing opportunity to invest in yourself and your future.
You got this! Now go show the world what you‘re made of!