Several top universities in the U.S. have announced free tuition initiatives for undergraduates from families meeting income requirements, in an effort to make college more affordable. MIT, University of Texas System, Carnegie Mellon University, St. John's College, and Brandeis University are among those offering free tuition starting in 2025.
Key Points
MIT, University of Texas System, Carnegie Mellon University, St. John's College, and Brandeis University announced free tuition initiatives in the same week
Initiatives are set to take effect in fall 2025, with varying income thresholds for eligibility
Efforts aim to address the rising cost of college education and make it more accessible
Pros
Making college education more accessible and affordable for students from lower-income families
Reduction of financial burden on students and families
Encouraging more students to pursue higher education
Cons
Limited to certain income requirements, potentially leaving out middle-income families
May impact funding and resources available for other university programs