Whitman College to cap tuition at 10% of parents' income
The Washington liberal arts college says its 10% Promise will start with first-year and transfer students entering in fall 2027.
By Daniel Okafor · Business Editor
3 min read
Whitman College says it will set tuition for eligible students at no more than 10% of their parents’ income, a plan aimed at making college costs clearer before families apply. The private liberal arts college in Walla Walla, Washington, said the guarantee will apply for four years for first-year and transfer students who enroll in fall 2027.
The program, called the Whitman 10% Promise, ties tuition to parents’ adjusted gross income, according to Whitman. Fortune reported that the school enrolls about 1,500 students and is joining other colleges trying to answer growing concerns about the cost of a degree.
Whitman says families can calculate the tuition figure by taking 10% of the parents’ adjusted gross income listed on Line 11 of Form 1040. The college says applicants must also complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid.
How the tuition cap works
Whitman says its website includes a calculator that estimates the scholarship amount, how much tuition the award would cover and the remaining tuition bill. The school says the promise is meant to replace uncertainty with an upfront figure tied to income.
The cap applies to tuition, according to Whitman and Fortune. Students would still need to pay other costs, including housing, school supplies and dining.
Fortune reported that Whitman plans to expand the aid over the next three years until future students can use the benefit. The college describes the offer as open to first-year and transfer students starting with the fall 2027 entering class.
Adam Miller, Whitman’s vice president of admission and financial aid, told Fortune that the college wants students to consider whether Whitman is the right fit without being blocked by uncertainty over price. Miller said clearer tuition and aid information could make it easier for applicants to picture attending the college and decide whether to apply.
College costs have put pressure on families
The Education Data Initiative says the average annual cost of attending college in the United States is $38,270 when tuition, books, housing and daily living expenses are included. Fortune cited that figure alongside a $66,622 average U.S. salary figure from SoFi, underscoring the strain college bills can place on families.
The Education Data Initiative also says the average federal student loan borrower owes $39,075. Fortune reported that debt concerns have led some younger students to view college as a financial risk.
Other colleges have announced income-based aid policies, according to Fortune. MIT covers tuition, housing, dining, fees, books and a personal expenses allowance for students whose parents earn less than $100,000 a year, and students from families earning less than $200,000 can attend MIT tuition-free, Fortune reported.
Fortune also reported that Harvard University has offered free tuition for families earning under $200,000 for the 2025-26 academic year. Columbia University offers free tuition at a $150,000 income threshold, while Stanford covers tuition for students whose families earn less than $150,000, according to Fortune.
This story draws on original reporting from Fortune.