Wellesley, Mass. – Wellesley College today announced that it will guarantee a tuition-free education to U.S. students whose families have a total annual income of $200,000 or less with typical assets.
Wellesley is the first women’s college—and only the second liberal arts college in the nation—to guarantee free tuition at the $200,000 level.
The Wellesley Tuition Promise will apply automatically to all first-year and transfer students who are admitted to Wellesley, as well as returning students, beginning in fall 2027.
Wellesley is one of a handful of colleges to admit U.S. students based on academic achievements, without consideration of family income, and then meet full calculated need. The Wellesley Tuition Promise builds on this enduring commitment to accessibility and affordability.
- For the 2026–27 academic year, nearly 60% of Wellesley students have been awarded a total of $86.5 million in financial aid.
- Wellesley meets the full calculated need of every U.S. and international student who attends the College.
- The average grant award for 2025–26 was $70,519.
- Wellesley’s aid program focuses on grants and minimizes loans, limiting student debt.
“Wellesley’s mission of educating women of all socioeconomic backgrounds is more important than ever. Through the Wellesley Tuition Promise, we will open doors to more students, ensuring that cost is not an obstacle when it comes to a life-changing Wellesley education,” said Wellesley College President Paula Johnson.
For students who are eligible for the Wellesley Tuition Promise, the cost of attending Wellesley in 2027–28 (the first year of the program) will likely be between $0 and $26,000, which will cover room, meals, and a mandatory student activities fee. (The cost of attendance will vary from year to year, and students are encouraged to use Wellesley’s online college cost calculators to estimate their family’s financial aid offer.)
Nationally, 85% of all families in the U.S. earn less than $200,000 per year.
Today, approximately 80% of Wellesley’s financial aid program is supported by the College’s endowment. Recent changes to college endowment tax rules are contributing to increased funding for financial aid, including the Wellesley Tuition Promise.
“Wellesley’s commitment to financial aid makes it possible for students from all backgrounds to attend Wellesley, without finances being a barrier,” said T. Peaches Valdes, Wellesley’s dean of admission and financial aid. “These students come to Wellesley because they want a rigorous education, and because they want to make a difference in the world. For an increasing number of students, Wellesley’s Tuition Promise will make that possible.”
For details on the Wellesley Tuition Promise, please visit wellesley.edu/promise.