Swarthmore College in Pennsylvania announces free tuition for students from families making up to $200K

Swarthmore College in Delaware County, Pennsylvania, announced a new financial aid program called the Swarthmore Tuition Guarantee, which will provide free tuition for students from families earning $200,000 or less annually. The program begins in the 2027-28 academic year and applies to students with typical assets, ensuring their financial circumstances do not limit access to a liberal arts education. The college’s financial aid budget exceeds $71 million annually, averaging $75,000 per student, and is primarily funded by its endowment, which covers nearly 60% of Swarthmore’s operating expenses. With an enrollment of approximately 1,700 undergraduate students, the initiative aims to strengthen the school’s commitment to accessibility and affordability. Swarthmore joins other prestigious institutions like Princeton, Yale, and MIT in expanding financial aid to attract middle- and lower-income students. Princeton covers full attendance costs for families earning up to $150,000, while Yale eliminates all costs for families making up to $100,000 and offers aid to those earning up to $200,000. Locally, Temple University in Philadelphia launched its Temple Promise program in 2024, offering tuition-free education to students from the city whose families earn $65,000 or less. Swarthmore’s new policy reflects a broader trend among elite universities to reduce financial barriers for prospective students.