Republicans suspect institutions have ‘collusion to raise tuition prices’
Top Republican lawmakers launched an investigation into Ivy League universities’ tuition costs this week, alleging potential violations of antitrust laws.
Led by Senate Judiciary Committee Chair Chuck Grassley and House Judiciary Committee Chair Jim Jordan, the probe asks the eight universities to produce documents “regarding their apparent collusion to raise tuition prices,” a news release states.
“We are particularly concerned that Ivy League member institutions appear to collectively raise tuition prices while engaging in price discrimination by offering selective financial aid packages to maximize profit,” the lawmakers wrote.
As The Hill reports:
The Republicans are concerned about alleged collusion and potential violations of antitrust laws to keep college prices up. …
The GOP lawmakers point to examples such as requiring students to stay on campus during their first year and get a meal plan; a lawsuit accusing the College Board of working with institutions to reduce financial aid availability for students; and the Council of Ivy League Presidents holding meetings about admission practices.
“These institutions establish the industry standard for tuition pricing, creating an umbrella effect for all colleges and universities to justify higher tuition costs than they could otherwise charge in a competitive market,” the lawmakers wrote.
The institutions under investigation are Brown University, Columbia University, Cornell University, Dartmouth College, Harvard University, Princeton University, University of Pennsylvania, and Yale University.
Past investigations by The College Fix have revealed administrative bloat at Ivy League campuses.
For example, a 2024 College Fix analysis found Columbia has more full-time employees than undergraduate students, including a “diversity, equity, and inclusion” director for its Earth Observatory.
Another Fix analysis found Yale employs more than three administrators and support staff for every four undergraduate students.
MORE: Brown U. student journalist under investigation for looking into admin bloat
IMAGE CAPTION AND CREDIT: A doorway opens into the yard of the Princeton University campus. Jay Yuan/Shutterstock
Like The College Fix on Facebook / Follow us on Twitter
Please join the conversation about our stories on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Reddit, MeWe, Rumble, Gab, Minds and Gettr.