Yale to Waive Costs for Undergrads from Families Earning Under $100K

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Yale University announced it will eliminate tuition and other costs for all new undergraduates from families earning less than $100,000 a year, joining a growing number of elite campuses that are slashing costs for middle- and lower-income families. The change will take effect for students entering this fall, and the university said it will benefit nearly half of American households with children ages 6 to 17.

Why it matters

This move by Yale is part of a broader trend among prestigious universities to increase socioeconomic diversity on their campuses following the Supreme Court's rejection of affirmative action in college admissions. By making tuition and costs more affordable for low-income students, Yale and other elite schools hope to attract a more diverse student body, including more students from underrepresented racial and ethnic backgrounds.

The details

Yale previously waived all expected costs for students from families earning less than $75,000 a year. By raising the income limit to $100,000, the university said it will now cover tuition for those with annual incomes under $200,000. The new policy is a 'strategic investment' aimed at 'educating exceptional students from all backgrounds' and allowing them to 'enrich the Yale campus' after graduation.

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

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