Yale University is set to become the latest Ivy League school to offer free tuition to families who earn less than $200,000 a year. Starting this fall, families with incomes below that threshold will be able to attend the prestigious university without incurring any financial costs.
The new policy aims to make Yale more accessible to students from all backgrounds, aligning with the institution's mission to "educate exceptional students." Currently, about 1,000 of the roughly 6,800 undergraduate students at Yale are already attending tuition-free, while nearly half qualify for need-based aid.
Compared to the median household income in the US, which was $105,800 as of 2024, this new policy is a significant move towards reducing financial barriers. The university has previously offered free tuition for families earning up to $75,000 since 2020.
Other prominent academic institutions, including Harvard, MIT, and the University of Pennsylvania, have also recently expanded their financial assistance programs, aiming to attract more middle- and lower-income Americans. Emory University is set to launch a similar program this fall, offering free tuition for families with incomes below $200,000.
The push towards greater affordability comes as concerns about the value of a college degree continue to grow among younger generations. With the average cost of attending a four-year college being $30,000 after financial aid awards, many students are questioning whether the investment is worth it.
Currently, nearly 43 million Americans โ or 1 in 6 adults โ owe federal student loan debt as of fiscal year 2024.
The new policy aims to make Yale more accessible to students from all backgrounds, aligning with the institution's mission to "educate exceptional students." Currently, about 1,000 of the roughly 6,800 undergraduate students at Yale are already attending tuition-free, while nearly half qualify for need-based aid.
Compared to the median household income in the US, which was $105,800 as of 2024, this new policy is a significant move towards reducing financial barriers. The university has previously offered free tuition for families earning up to $75,000 since 2020.
Other prominent academic institutions, including Harvard, MIT, and the University of Pennsylvania, have also recently expanded their financial assistance programs, aiming to attract more middle- and lower-income Americans. Emory University is set to launch a similar program this fall, offering free tuition for families with incomes below $200,000.
The push towards greater affordability comes as concerns about the value of a college degree continue to grow among younger generations. With the average cost of attending a four-year college being $30,000 after financial aid awards, many students are questioning whether the investment is worth it.
Currently, nearly 43 million Americans โ or 1 in 6 adults โ owe federal student loan debt as of fiscal year 2024.