Top Universities Expand Free Tuition Programs for Low- and Middle-Income Families

MIT, University of Texas, and others announce sweeping financial aid expansions to improve college affordability starting in 2025.

MIT will waive tuition for families earning under $200,000 annually, with full cost coverage for those earning less than $100,000, beginning in fall 2025.
The University of Texas System will offer free tuition for in-state undergraduates from families earning $100,000 or less across its nine institutions starting next fall.
Carnegie Mellon University and Brandeis University also unveiled new tuition-free programs for students from families with incomes under $75,000, with partial aid for higher income brackets.
These initiatives are part of broader efforts to address rising college costs and reduce student debt, with schools leveraging endowments to expand financial aid offerings.
The announcements reflect a growing trend among universities to make higher education more accessible to talented students regardless of financial circumstances.