MIT announced that, starting in fall 2025, families earning under $200,000 a year will no longer be charged tuition. The move is part of the university's effort to make higher education more accessible to students from diverse financial backgrounds.

For families earning under $100,000, MIT will cover not only tuition but also housing, dining, and other fees, while providing an allowance for books and personal expenses. This builds on the university's current policy, which already waives tuition for families making less than $140,000.

"Cost of college is a real concern," said MIT President Sally Kornbluth, emphasizing the institution's commitment to offering its transformative education to talented students, regardless of financial circumstance. Students from families making more than $200,000 may still qualify for need-based financial aid.

Currently, the total cost of attending MIT is approximately $86,000 per year, including nearly $62,000 in tuition and up to $24,000 in additional fees. The new initiative will ease the financial burden for thousands of students.

MIT's move comes amid a broader trend in higher education, with other Massachusetts universities, like Brandeis and UMass Boston, offering similar financial aid programs to increase affordability. Brandeis, for example, will cover half of tuition for families earning less than $200,000 starting next fall.