Several universities including MIT and the University of Texas announce free tuition for low-income undergraduates

Several universities, including the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and the University of Texas, announced plans this week to offer free tuition for undergraduates from families below certain income levels, starting in fall 2025. MIT will raise its income threshold for free tuition to $200,000, up from $140,000, while the University of Texas will cover tuition for families earning $100,000 or less. Other institutions, like Carnegie Mellon and St. John's College, also introduced similar initiatives targeting families with incomes below $75,000. These announcements come amid rising concerns about college affordability and declining enrollment rates. The average cost of college continues to increase, prompting schools to enhance financial aid options to attract students.