Bryn Mawr College to Offer Free Tuition for Families Earning Under $175,000

NOTE: Questions from prospective students and families should be directed to admissions@brynmawr.edu. Questions from media should be directed to communications@brynmawr.edu.   

Bryn Mawr College today announced the launch of the Bryn Mawr Beacon initiative, a landmark initiative designed to dramatically reduce the cost of a four-year degree and ensure that financial stress is not a barrier to an excellent education.  

The new initiative fundamentally changes the financial landscape for prospective Bryn Mawr students by committing to cover 100% of undergraduate tuition for families that meet specific income criteria.  

The Core Promise: Zero Tuition for Qualifying Families  

The Beacon Initiative offers free undergraduate tuition to eligible families of students applying for Fall 2026 (or later) with an annual income of $175,000 or less and typical assets.  

• Full Tuition Coverage: If a family earns $175,000 or less with typical assets, they pay no tuition, providing clear, predictable costs from day one.  

•  Peace of Mind for All Four Years: If the price of tuition increases after the first year, eligible students still pay nothing in tuition – Bryn Mawr covers the difference.  

•  Equalizing Access: Nearly 85% of U.S. households with typical assets might be eligible for this initiative, according to income data from the Motley Fool website.     
   

A Focus on Long-Term Value and Reduced Debt  

The initiative is strategically designed to improve access while allowing students to focus on their studies, not on accruing debt.  

"We fundamentally believe in the transformative power of a Bryn Mawr College degree, and we are determined to make that value accessible to every qualified student," said Wendy Cadge, Bryn Mawr College president. "This initiative is more than a financial aid package; it is a declaration that access to our top-tier education has never been more attainable."  

Reducing Barriers with a Commitment to Affordability and Access  

This new initiative reinforces Bryn Mawr’s commitment to affordability and equity, expanding upon existing initiatives that have long reduced financial barriers and increased awareness of the transformative power of a liberal arts education.  

• Bryn Mawr already meets 100% of demonstrated financial aid need for all undergraduate students and is one of fewer than 2.5% of U.S. higher education institutions that do so. This means the college offers students sufficient financial aid to cover the difference between our cost of attendance and each family’s ability to pay.  

• Beginning with the fall 2024 semester, Bryn Mawr College eliminated all federal student loans for students with family incomes below $110,000 and assets under $500,000. It replaced these loans with institutional grants – leaving Bryn Mawr students able to graduate with a total federal loan debt of no more than $11,000, or less than a third of the national average. This reduction in the loan burden means the actual cost to Bryn Mawr families has decreased or remained flat for many low- and middle-income families. 

• Our Office of Undergraduate Admissions has focused on expanding our local, national, and international recruitment efforts, resulting in record application totals for the past three years. Bryn Mawr has active relationships with local colleges and dozens of community-based organizations across the U.S., connecting the college with students who may not have considered a small liberal arts college as part of their future. Our Lantern Scholars program and our Bi-Co Exploring Transfer Together program also provide additional exposure opportunities to prospective students considering liberal arts colleges during their college selection process.  

• Bryn Mawr is also home to the Katharine E. McBride Scholars program, which expands opportunities for non-traditional-aged students who have completed some college but have not yet earned a bachelor's degree.    

• Bryn Mawr does not charge an undergraduate student application fee, further equalizing access for all.   
   

Seamless Access: No Separate Application  

The Beacon Initiative is easy to access—every U.S. applicant who submits the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and CSS Profile is automatically considered for the Beacon Initiative. There is no separate application form to worry about.  

"We heard loud and clear from families that the complexity of financial aid is a major source of stress," said Cheryl Lynn Horsey, vice president for enrollment. "We are committed to making the process simple and clear. Our goal is to reassure families that through this initiative, they will graduate with less debt. We've made access seamless so they can focus on what matters most: selecting the college that is the best fit for their future."  

Since its founding in 1885, Bryn Mawr College has been the preeminent college for women interested in the pursuit of wisdom necessary to challenge the world's expectations. Our community has repeatedly broken barriers to achieve greater equity through exceptional academics and a deep dedication to learning. Our more than 35 undergraduate majors span the humanities, sciences, social sciences, and arts. Two co-educational graduate schools offer selective master’s and Ph.D. programs across the Arts, Sciences, and Social Work, and our Postbaccalaureate Premedical Program is one of the most successful in the nation for placing students into medical school. We are dedicated to diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility, which serve as the engine for excellence and innovation, helping us pave the way for gender equity and inspiring brilliant minds who find life-long community here. 

Prospective students and families are encouraged to visit the Bryn Mawr Beacon page to review the full eligibility criteria.