Generous Aid, Persistent Inequality

The most selective schools meet nearly all demonstrated need, yet the share of low-income students has barely budged in a decade

% of Financial Need Met by Tier (2025)

Pell Grant Recipients at Selective Colleges

Source: Left panel from College Insights 2025 data; right panel from IPEDS 2015–2024. Pell grants are awarded to students from families typically earning under ~$60K. The national average Pell rate among all undergraduates is approximately 33%.