13 Fast Food Jobs That Pay for College

Working in fast food isn’t the most glamorous part-time job for students, but being employed by big-name brands comes with perks like subsidized college tuition. 😄

Now that’s a win-win situation. Fast food companies can retain skilled employees, and you get to attend college at little to no cost (with extra cash and work experience on the side). 

Sounds like a good deal? If yes, any of these 13 fast food jobs that pay for college might be the perfect opportunity for you. ✨

1. Starbucks: College Achievement Plan ☕

Coffee is what college students drink to survive all-nighters, but who knew it could also pay for college tuition? Case in point: working as a Starbucks partner. 

Partners (or employees) eligible for the College Achievement Plan can pick from Arizona State University’s online degree programs. Tuition will be 100 percent covered, but textbooks and supplies will be out of your pocket (which can be offset by financial aid). ☀️

In case you end up disliking your current program, you can switch majors or withdraw from a class, as you’re still covered for up to 135 credits. 😎

2. McDonald’s: Archways to Opportunity 🍟

Education seems to be a top value at the famous Golden Arches. Managers train at Hamburger University, and crew members are put on track to better career opportunities through the Archways to Opportunity tuition assistance program. 📚 

Employees of one of the best fast-food jobs that pay for college can choose a two or four-year public or private college accredited by the Department of Education. Any type of financial aid will be applied to the total cost of attendance before McDonald’s covers any remaining expenses.

As long as you’re a student working in a franchisee participating in the program, are employed for at least 90 days averaging 15 hours per week, and have a good employment record, you can get $2,500 worth of annual tuition assistance. 😄

3. Chipotle: Tuition Reimbursement 🌯

At Chipotle, a healthier version of fast food comes with a side of tuition assistance. The restaurant chain pays 100 percent tuition for selected associate’s or bachelor’s degrees and covers up to $5,250 annually for other programs through its partnership with Guild. 💯

Employees can choose from more than 300 programs at accredited schools like the University of Arizona and Bellevue University. To be eligible, complete 120 days of work and clock in at least 15 hours of work per week.

As Chipotle is one of those fast food jobs that pay for college, it may also fully cover the required college preparatory courses for eligible employees before proceeding to the tuition-free program. 😄

4. Chick-fil-A: Tuition Reduction Network 🐔

Chick-fil-A’s signature chicken sandwich isn’t the only good thing it serves; its Tuition Reduction Network is available to help employees complete college, which makes it among the top fast-food jobs that pay for college. 

Around 100 colleges and universities offer tuition discounts to students working at Chick-fil-A. For example, Colorado State University waives application fees, gives a 10 percent tuition discount, and a $65 per credit hour discount for online programs. 😲

This fast food joint that pays for college has another incentive up its sleeve: it also awards $1,000 to $25,000 worth of scholarships to employees under its Remarkable Futures Program. 🥳

5. Pizza Hut: Life Unboxed EDU 🛖

What’s a real treat when you’re trying to work and earn a degree at the same time? An employer that helps you out with college expenses. 🤑

Every Pizza Hut employee is offered a 45 percent undergraduate tuition discount at Excelsior College. However, full-time salaried employees working in corporate can receive up to $5,250 per year in additional cash to pay for tuition, books, and fees.

Plus, your company training hours can count as credits toward any of the online degrees available, making it even easier to get that college degree in hand. 📚

6. Chili’s: Best You EDU 🌶️

ChiliHeads (or team members) claim that they “genuinely support each other” and “elevate our own lives,” which might have been inspired by the company’s willingness to help employees who want to pursue college.

Online college classes are available through the Best You EDU program with tuition reimbursement of up to $300 per term, which also covers books and fees. Plus, an associate’s degree or trade school certificate at Pima Community College is obtainable at no cost. 👏

But there’s also something for workers who aren’t US citizens! Chili’s has opened civics and citizenship, as well as English language prep courses to help with their naturalization exam. 👍

7. Marco’s Pizza: Tuition Assistance 🍕

College can seem like a faraway dream with its high costs, but Marco’s Pizza offers its team members a pizza that education. 😉

All you need to receive a yearly $5,250 in tuition assistance is to be a part-time employee for more than a month and enroll as a full-time college student of any degree at Bellevue University.

Being a working student is tough, but you get to keep the benefits when you maintain at least a 2.0 GPA. Your parents and siblings are also eligible for this perk, although they only get $2,625 in annual tuition assistance. 🏫

8. Papa John’s: Dough & Degrees Program 😋

Your entry-level job as a front-of-house member, kitchen staff member, or delivery driver isn’t forever, especially when you take advantage of Papa John’s Dough & Degrees program’s tuition assistance.

Purdue University Global and Colorado Tech are a couple of this fast food chain’s partnered schools offering online undergraduate degrees in business, IT, and more. Corporate employees are eligible for 100 percent coverage for college tuition, books, and fees, while franchise workers get benefits like tuition discounts. 💯

As soon as you hit 60 days of working for Papa John’s and work at least 10 hours per week, you can join this program to pursue your chosen educational path.👍

9. Taco Bell: Partnered with Guild 🌮

Taco Bell has three things for incoming college students: flexible working schedules, free food, and college tuition assistance starting from your first day at work. 🎉

This Tex-Mex-inspired fast food chain is partnered with Guild (just like Chipotle), where selected bachelor’s degree programs have 100 percent tuition coverage while others are paid for upfront with a maximum of $5,250 per year. 

Certificate programs for learning new skills like business or programming are also covered, so you have plenty of options to improve your resume and career opportunities in the future. ✨

10. KFC: 100 Percent Tuition by the KFC Foundation🍗

All KFC employees are eligible for 100 percent college tuition and fees coverage from their first day of work. 

To receive the assistance, you must work in a restaurant participating in the KFC Foundation’s Annual Franchise Donation Program and keep a good work performance. 🥳 

Applications are open all year round, and there are more than 60 accredited online programs in business, IT, teaching, and healthcare at Western Governors University to choose from. Computers with a webcam and internet access may be given to those with financial need. 💻

11. Burger King: Scholars Program 🍔

Burger King’s whopper isn’t the only thing putting a smile on people’s faces. For example, scholarships worth $1,000 to $60,000 are available for employees and their families. 🙌

To be eligible, you must demonstrate service to others and academic responsibility. You must also be a full-time college student with a cumulative 2.0 high school GPA and extracurricular records.

READ MORE: 7 Resume-Boosting Volunteer Opportunities at College

Not planning to attend college? No problem! Qualified employees can still apply for scholarship funds for vocational schools. 😄

12. Dunkin’: Tuition Discount 🍩

The smell of coffee and donuts at work can put you in a good mood once you’re off-duty and taking affordable online college classes. 😄

Dunkin’ is one of those fast food jobs that pay for college because its employees have access to Southern New Hampshire University online programs at a 15 percent tuition discount. Plus, their immediate family members also get a 10 percent discount. 

Aside from free coffee and online classes for the convenience of student employees, Dunkin’ also offers flexible work hours. 💪 Sweet!

13. White Castle: Ingram-White Castle Foundation Educational Scholarship🥤

White Castle says that “they love people with insatiable hunger.” 🍔 True enough, that love translates to them providing their employees with educational benefits, among many other perks. 

This is a fast food job that pays for college as it offers tuition reimbursements: hourly-paid workers can get up to $2,500 after 60 days of employment, while salaried workers get $5,000 after working for a year.

The Ingram-White Castle Foundation Educational Scholarship is also applicable for any part-time or full-time pursuit of a degree or certificate at accredited institutions and is extended to family members. 🏆

How to Make the Most Out of Working in Fast Food

Sharpen valuable career skills with the help of your fast food job that pays for college. ✨

Your experience as a fast food worker lays the groundwork for client-facing jobs like those in sales and hospitality. For example, aiming to become an event organizer requires multi-tasking, people coordination, and time management — which you’ll learn on the job at a fast food restaurant.

You can also overcome any shyness and improve your communication skills which comes in handy for academic and career purposes. Tasks like handling irate customers, delighting patrons, and ensuring that the whole transaction is smooth from start to finish will hone these. ✅

Lastly, the fast-paced nature enhances your speed and accuracy. Getting things done right in as little time as possible can get you results faster, whether it’s in your personal or professional life. 

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It’s important to find fast-food jobs that pay for college and offer an environment that encourages lifelong learning and personal growth. Juggling work and studies is not a walk in the park, but it’s a great combination that paves the way to your future success. ✨

Fast Food Jobs That Pay for College: Frequently Asked Questions