Yale Eliminates Tuition for Undergrads from Families Earning Less Than $100,000

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Yale University has announced that it will eliminate tuition and other costs for all new undergraduates from families earning less than $100,000 per year. This move expands on the university's previous policy of waiving costs for students from families making less than $75,000 annually. Yale says the change will make the school accessible to nearly half of American households with children.

Why it matters

The decision by Yale to dramatically increase its financial aid for low- and middle-income students is part of a broader trend among elite universities to make college more accessible. This comes as the Supreme Court has recently rejected the use of affirmative action in admissions, pushing schools to find other ways to boost socioeconomic diversity on campus.

The details

Under the new policy, Yale will waive tuition as well as other costs like room and board for students from families earning less than $100,000 per year. The university previously had a $75,000 income threshold for full financial aid. Yale says the change will benefit nearly half of American households with children ages 6 to 17.

• The new policy will take effect for students entering Yale in the fall of 2026.

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