Nearly 1,000 Colleges Offer Free Tuition as Costs Double and Debt Tops $1.6 Trillion
Updated
Updated · The Washington Post · Sep 1
Nearly 1,000 Colleges Offer Free Tuition as Costs Double and Debt Tops $1.6 Trillion
1 articles · Updated · The Washington Post · Sep 1
Summary
Nearly 1,000 colleges in 45 states now offer tuition-free programs, spanning two-year schools, four-year universities, vocational campuses and elite private colleges.
The expansion comes as average tuition has doubled over 30 years, student debt has climbed above $1.6 trillion, and new federal caps on parent borrowing threaten access for some families.
Recent additions include Swarthmore, Rice and Boston University, which now waive tuition for undergraduates from families earning $200,000 or less.
Most programs target low- and middle-income students through income, residency or academic rules, and cover tuition and fees with grants and scholarships that do not require repayment.
Policymakers have increasingly backed the movement over the past decade, arguing that college or vocational training is critical to U.S. economic growth even though housing, books and other costs remain.