Havard University/FILEHarvard University has announced that it is making tuition free for families who earn less than $200,000 (Sh25, 890, 000 million) a year.
For families earning less than $100,000 (Sh12,945,000 million) Harvard will also cover expenses like housing and health insurance.
The move is aimed at making Harvard more affordable for middle-income families, and it comes as the Trump administration targets university funding as a part of a crackdown on diversity equity, and inclusion (DEI) practices.
"Putting Harvard within financial reach for more individuals widens the array of backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives that all of our students encounter, fostering their intellectual and personal growth," said Harvard President Alan Garber.
The median household income in the US was $80,000 (Sh10, 356, 000 million) in 2023, according to the US Census.
A number of elite universities in the US have taken similar steps in recent years, including the University of Pennsylvania and The Massachusetts Institute of Technology, which also have free tuition for families making less than $200,000 (Sh25, 890, 000 million).
The average price of a private university in the US for those living on campus is $58,000(Sh7,508,100 million) per academic year, according to the Education Data Initiative. The average cost of college has more than doubled since 2001, the research group found.
The Trump administration has already pulled $400m in grants and contracts from Columbia University, alleging the Ivy League school failed to prevent antisemitism on campus as protests grew over Israel's war in Gaza.
Universities across the US have reported a decline in racial diversity since the court's decision.
