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Staff Writer
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May 16, 2026
A university in Chicago is joining other top institutions in offering free tuition for undergraduate students from families earning under $250,000 a year.
If you are considering applying to the University of Chicago, it’s important to know that the school is launching an initiative to make college more affordable for middle- and upper-middle-income families.
Starting in fall 2027, students from families with an annual income of less than $250,000 will be able to attend tuition-free. Additionally, students whose families earn less than $125,000 a year will receive free housing and meals, with other fees waived.
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According to the Chicago Sun-Times, the total cost of attendance at the University of Chicago for undergraduates is approaching $100,000 per year. For this school year, the total cost—tuition, housing, and other fees—is $98,300, a 3.5% increase from the previous year. Tuition alone is approximately $71,000.
University President Paul Alivisatos said:
The University of Chicago is proud to sponsor a learning environment characterized by intellectual curiosity, ambition, and rigor.
By deepening our commitment to affordability, we are helping to ensure that the brightest minds can join us.
Many distinguished universities have implemented similar measures to improve accessibility to higher education and lessen the financial strain on students and their families.