CAMBRIDGE, Mass. — Harvard University is making strides towards affordability with its recent announcement that students from families earning up to $200,000 will no longer pay tuition. This new initiative, set to be implemented in the 2025-2026 academic year, aims to support middle-income students by not only waiving tuition but also providing additional financial aid to cover ancillary expenses.
In a statement, Harvard University President Alan Garber articulated the intention behind this initiative: “Broadening the financial accessibility of Harvard fosters a diverse environment rich in varied backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives, which in turn promotes students’ intellectual and personal growth. By assembling individuals of extraordinary potential to learn from one another, the immense potential of the University is realized.”
Moreover, the plan extends further support to students from families earning below $100,000, who will have their entire tuition and living expenses, including food and housing, covered. This move ensures that a significant majority of U.S. families whose children are accepted to Harvard will qualify for some form of financial assistance. Currently, Harvard’s tuition stands at $56,500 annually, increasing to $82,866 when factoring in food and housing.
Hopi Hoekstra, Edgerley Family Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences at Harvard, reiterated the institution’s commitment to inclusivity: “Our doors have always been open to the most capable students, regardless of their financial status. This enhanced financial aid program makes a Harvard College education attainable for every admitted student, allowing them to pursue their academic ambitions and contribute positively to society.”
Robert Kelchen, an academic from the University of Tennessee, noted that while several flagship institutions have adopted similar models, Harvard’s approach is unprecedented due to its broader applicability up the income scale. “Although Harvard’s program is unprecedented in scale, it’s unlikely to impose a significant additional cost on them,” Kelchen added, highlighting current external pressures on elite colleges and universities.
This announcement from Harvard is part of a broader trend among prestigious schools to offer tuition waivers, amidst growing concern about the escalating costs of higher education. Rising costs have led to skepticism about the value of a college degree, and a diminished proportion of high school graduates are enrolling in colleges, a trend unseen for decades according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Despite these concerns, studies still show the long-term advantages of a degree. Research from Georgetown University’s Center on Education and the Workforce reveals that individuals with a bachelor’s degree typically earn a median of $2.8 million over their careers, a 75% increase compared to those with only a high school diploma.
Students at Harvard expressed enthusiasm about the tuition announcement. Skye Lam, a 20-year-old undergraduate from New York City, appreciated the move, saying, “This initiative significantly increases accessibility to college, especially for those who hadn’t considered Harvard a possibility. Universities are significantly boosting their financial aid offers.”
Kaine Bivens, an 18-year-old student from Fort Worth with a full scholarship to study physics and astrophysics due to his family’s income of under $100,000, welcomed the news: “Offering free tuition opens education paths to more students. Cost is frequently a barrier to education, so it’s commendable that Harvard is ensuring opportunities for those in need.”
The trend of rising tuition at private institutions — a 4% increase over the past decade — has prompted various renowned educational institutions to offer similar initiatives. For instance, MIT declared that students from families earning under $200,000 can attend tuition-free starting this fall, aligning with Harvard’s program. MIT’s previous thresholds were set at $140,000 for full tuition coverage and $75,000 for complete expenses.
MIT President Sally Kornbluth emphasized, “College expenses are a real challenge for many families. We aim to offer our transformative education to the brightest students across different financial backgrounds. For every aspiring MIT candidate, don’t let financial worries deter you.”
Similarly, UMass announced in October that Massachusetts residents with family incomes up to $75,000 can attend any of its four undergraduate campuses without paying tuition. The University of Michigan followed suit in December, offering free tuition to in-state undergraduates from families with incomes and assets up to $125,000.