Phillip Levine
September 21, 2026
Introduction
After a post-pandemic decline, inflation-adjusted college sticker prices are once again rising, with some colleges now advertising annual costs exceeding $100,000. These figures receive considerable public attention, reinforcing the widespread perception that college is unaffordable. Yet the advertised price is often very different from what students actually pay because it does not account for financial aid. However, the complexity of the financial aid system can make it difficult for colleges to effectively communicate that reality.
Free tuition policies are one increasingly common strategy designed to overcome that communication problem. These programs typically eliminate tuition charges for students with incomes below specified income thresholds. In recent years, institutions across the country have announced such programs with considerable publicity, and the Washington Post now identifies more than 900 colleges and universities offering free tuition to some set of students.