Starting in fall 2027, Wellesley College will guarantee a tuition-free education to students whose families have a total annual income of $200,000 or less with typical assets.
Through this new initiative, Wellesley College is deepening its commitment to affordability and strengthening its legacy as a leader in providing access, opportunity, and educational excellence to students.
About Wellesley’s Tuition Promise
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Raising the bar on affordability.
U.S. students whose families have a total income of less than $200,000 annually, with typical assets, will attend tuition-free beginning in fall 2027.
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Strengthening our commitment to need-blind admission and financial aid.
Wellesley admits U.S. citizens and permanent residents based entirely on their qualifications, without regard to their financial situations—known as need-blind admission. We meet 100% of every admitted student’s calculated need, making it financially possible for them to attend and thrive. We are able to do this thanks to the generosity of generations of alumnae who have made gifts to our endowment for this purpose.
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Offering sustained financial support throughout a student’s time at Wellesley.
All eligible incoming first-years, as well as returning sophomores, juniors, and seniors, will qualify for this expanded level of financial aid starting in fall 2027. This support will continue throughout a student’s time at Wellesley.
from the president
How does it work? The Wellesley Tuition Promise
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total family income Up to $100,000
100% tuition free
No loans
100% calculated need met -
total family income $100,000– $200,000
100% tuition free
100% calculated need met -
total family income Over $200,000
100% calculated need met
Note: These examples assume typical assets correspond with income level.
“We are committed to expanding accessibility by making a Wellesley education more affordable. We want to ensure a transformational experience is possible for all talented students who are ready to change the world.”
—T. Peaches Valdes, Dean of Admission and Financial Aid
Frequently Asked Questions
“Free tuition” is defined at Wellesley as the amount of total grant aid from all sources (institutional, federal, state, and other outside sources) that will meet or exceed the amount of billed tuition for the fall and spring semesters. Financial aid and affording a Wellesley education is a very personalized process. If you have questions, please contact the Student Financial Services office at sfs@wellesley.edu.
Eligibility is based on the following criteria:
- Families whose total income is $200,000 or less with typical assets.
- U.S. citizens and permanent residents.
- Students and parents/legal guardians who reside and work within the United States.
- Students who live on campus and participate in the College meal plan.
Yes, beginning in fall 2027. To be considered for the Wellesley Tuition Promise, current students will complete their financial aid application annually, which we will review to determine if they meet the eligibility criteria.
We are committed to meeting 100% of the calculated need for all students, including those whose families make above $200,000. Financial aid isn’t one-size-fits-all; we evaluate every student’s situation individually. Our review process takes into consideration a variety of factors such as total family income, number of children in the family, and the cost of living in the region.
Calculated need is the difference between a school’s total cost of attendance and the amount a family is expected to pay.
Cost of attendance - family contribution = financial aid offer
Total income includes all sources of income for both parents and students—including both taxed and untaxed income (such as a wage), self-employment, a business, retirement withdrawals, payments made to tax-deferred pension plans, or other benefit distributions.
Typical assets which correlate to the income level at or under $200,000 may include a modest home equity, investments, savings, and college savings plans among other assets. An amount of a family’s assets are protected from being considered when determining the ability to pay for college. Families with assets significantly higher than what is typical for their income may not qualify for grants meeting the cost of tuition, but may qualify for need based aid.
Yes. All students will be charged tuition at the start of each semester. Those who complete their financial aid application and meet the criteria will have grants that meet or exceed the cost of tuition. Once awarded, these grants will be directly applied to the student’s tuition balance.
In addition to meeting 100% of one’s calculated financial need, many students receive grants that exceed tuition to help cover additional direct costs, such as housing, meals, and the student activity fee.
Eligibility for the Wellesley Tuition Promise is reevaluated annually when a student submits their completed financial aid application.
