Rahm Emanuel Unveils College Plan With Free Tuition Under $200,000, Eyes 2028 Bid
Updated
Updated · The New York Times · May 26
Rahm Emanuel Unveils College Plan With Free Tuition Under $200,000, Eyes 2028 Bid
4 articles · Updated · The New York Times · May 26
Rahm Emanuel on Tuesday rolled out a higher-education plan that would give free tuition to students from households earning under $200,000 and cap other tuition increases at inflation.
The proposal would reward colleges that let students earn a four-year degree in 3 years, tying affordability to faster completion and broader access.
Universities meeting those standards could enroll international students up to 20% of their student bodies, above the Trump administration’s proposed 15% cap.
Emanuel also set a goal of cutting college administrative costs by 10%, including by easing federal loan income-verification rules that he says cost schools about $500 million a year.
The Dartmouth rollout and campaign-style video add to Emanuel’s recent policy stops on K-12 schools and trade incentives as the former Chicago mayor positions himself for a possible 2028 Democratic presidential run.
Which better serves students: making college cheaper or holding universities accountable for graduate success?
Could making college more affordable for some students unintentionally drive up costs for everyone else?
If tuition becomes free for many, will the actual value and quality of a college degree decline?