The University of Chicago will offer free tuition to undergraduates from families earning less than $250,000 annually, doubling its current $125,000 policy. According to the statement, the expanded aid starts in Autumn Quarter 2027.
UChicago's new $250,000 income cap is one of the highest among major private universities, surpassing recent moves by Harvard, MIT, and the University of Pennsylvania, which set their bars at $200,000.
The shift reflects a widening race among the wealthiest schools to remove sticker price as a barrier for middle- and upper-middle-income families as private college costs push past $90,000 a year.
@thecollegeinvestor The University of Chicago is making tuition free for families making under $250,000 per year. But here’s what you really need to know. #studentloans #college #financialaid ♬ original sound - The College Investor
By The Numbers
- Families under $250,000 (with typical assets) will pay no tuition.
- Families under $125,000 will also receive free housing, meals, and fees, covering the full cost of attendance.
- $225 million in annual undergraduate financial aid
- $75,000+ average aid package per student
What They're Saying: “At a time when many families are uncertain about what the cost of college means for them, we created this initiative to radically expand and simplify our support for students,” said James G. Nondorf, Vice President for Enrollment and Student Advancement and Dean of College Admissions and Financial Aid.
President Paul Alivisatos said the move helps “ensure that the brightest minds can join us.”
The fine print: The aid is income-based but also factors in family assets. Students will still need to complete the FAFSA and CSS Profile to qualify, and admission to UChicago remains highly selective — the College’s acceptance rate hovers around 5%.
And since assets are still a factor, if your family has millions in assets, simply having a low income won't get you free tuition.
How this connects: UChicago joins a growing roster of selective private schools that have quietly moved to no-tuition models for income-qualifying families.
The College Investor’s running list of tuition-free colleges now tracks Harvard (free tuition under $200,000, full cost under $100,000), MIT, the University of Pennsylvania, Princeton, Stanford, and others.
State programs are also expanding — Pitt recently launched free tuition for Pennsylvania families under $75,000. UChicago’s $250,000 cap pushes the bar higher than any of them.
Common Questions
What exactly is UChicago changing about its free tuition policy for 2027?
Starting Autumn Quarter 2027, UChicago is doubling its free-tuition income threshold from $125,000 to $250,000, making it one of the highest such cutoffs among major private universities.
Who qualifies for UChicago's new free tuition threshold up to $250,000 in income?
Undergraduates from families earning less than $250,000 a year with typical assets will pay no tuition, though admission remains highly selective at roughly a 5% acceptance rate.
If my family earns under $125,000, what costs will UChicago cover beyond tuition?
Families earning under $125,000 also receive free housing, meals, and fees—covering the full cost of attendance, not just tuition.
Do students still need to submit the FAFSA and CSS Profile to get UChicago's free tuition, and how do assets factor in?
Yes, students must complete both the FAFSA and CSS Profile, and because the policy weighs family assets alongside income, a family with substantial assets won't necessarily qualify for free tuition on a low income alone.
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Editor: Colin Graves
Robert Farrington is the founder of The College Investor and is widely recognized as one of the nation’s leading voices on student loan debt and saving for college. He holds an MBA from UC San Diego Rady School of Management and has spent over 15 years researching, writing, and advising on student loans, 529 plans, financial aid programs, and saving and investing for young professionals.
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