University of Chicago to offer free tuition for students from families making less than $250,000 a year

The University of Chicago will eliminate tuition costs for undergraduate students from families earning less than $250,000 per year beginning in fall 2027. Families earning under $125,000 will also receive waivers for housing, meals, and other fees, assuming typical asset levels. The university’s total cost of attendance for undergraduates currently stands at $98,300 annually, including tuition of around $71,000. This initiative expands access for middle- and upper-middle-income families, following similar policies at Harvard, MIT, and Northwestern. Harvard and MIT waive tuition for families earning under $150,000 to $200,000, while Northwestern offers free tuition to most students from families earning under $150,000, with full waivers for those earning under $70,000. The program builds on UChicago’s existing efforts, including the UChicago Promise, which provides full-tuition scholarships to Chicago Public Schools graduates, children of CPS educators, and Chicago police and firefighters. The university currently awards approximately $225 million annually in financial aid, with an average of $75,000 in aid per undergraduate student. The announcement reflects broader trends in higher education, where elite institutions are increasingly prioritizing affordability to attract diverse talent. University President Paul Alivisatos emphasized the commitment to intellectual rigor while ensuring accessibility for bright students regardless of financial background.