University Of Evansville Announces Free Tuition Plan

If the price tag on college has ever made you or your kid hesitate, the University of Evansville wants you to take another look.

What UE's New Tuition Coverage Includes

Starting with freshmen coming in Fall 2027, UE is covering full tuition and fees for all 21st Century Scholars and for Indiana residents whose families earn $60,000 or less a year. Those students will also get an extra $2,500 annually for books, supplies, and other expenses. And for students with the greatest financial need paired with strong academics, UE is providing up to $15,000 a year toward housing and meals, on top of tuition and fees being fully covered.

Why This Move Matters for Our Area

This is a big deal for our area. The Indiana Commission for Higher Education has tracked a steep drop in college-going rates – Vanderburgh County alone fell from 72% in 2014 down to 59% in 2024. UE says this expansion is aimed squarely at making sure money isn't the reason a local student skips college.

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It's part of a bigger push, too. UE is already handing out more than $27 million in scholarships and grants this year, and nearly every undergrad on campus gets some kind of financial help. A lot of that is thanks to generous alumni – the school's recent FORWARD campaign alone brought in over $15 million for scholarships from grads who remember what a UE education did for them.

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"Students from all walks of life attend UE," said Dr. Jill Griffin, UE's Vice President for Enrollment and Marketing. She points out that with UE's aid packages, some students end up paying less than they would at a public university.