In a historic shift, some of America's most prestigious colleges are enrolling record numbers of low-income students, making economic diversity a strategic priority after the recent Supreme Court ruling banning affirmative action in college admissions.
Major institutions, such as Princeton University, report that this year's freshman class includes the highest percentage of students participating in federal Pell Grant programs, a result of initiatives aimed at broadening recruitment beyond affluent populations. Princeton's President Christopher Eisgruber stated, 'The only way to increase socioeconomic diversity is to be intentional about it.'
Similar efforts are echoed by other elite schools, such as Yale, MIT, and Duke, all of which have recorded significant increases in Pell-eligible freshmen. For instance, MIT has seen its low-income student enrollment rise to over a quarter of its incoming class, aided by a policy offering free tuition to students' families earning under $200,000 annually.
Despite the growth in economic diversity, challenges remain. Many elite colleges have not only continued to enroll students from wealthy backgrounds but have also reported declines in racial diversity among their new enrollments. For example, Swarthmore College has noted a stark drop in its Black student population even as its enrolled low-income students have increased.
As colleges adjust their admissions strategies, they risk potential scrutiny from the federal government, which has suggested that prioritizing economic factors could infringe upon racial standards set forth by recent legal precedents. Yet, many college leaders are committed to promoting greater inclusivity as a means of fostering a more equitable future in higher education.
