Princeton Faces Congressional Scrutiny Over Alleged Ivy League Price-Fixing

The U.S. House and Senate Committees on the Judiciary have launched a probe into Princeton University and other Ivy League institutions, alleging they engaged in anticompetitive practices to collectively raise tuition prices. On April 8, a letter addressed to Princeton President Christopher Eisgruber '83 demanded extensive documentation related to admissions, financial aid, and communications with platforms like the College Board and Common Application. The committees claim these schools may be violating U.S. antitrust laws by coordinating pricing strategies and selectively offering financial aid to maximize profits.

"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," the letter stated. This follows a separate October 2024 class-action lawsuit against 40 top universities—excluding Princeton—that alleged collusion in limiting aid for students with divorced or noncustodial parents. The congressional letter suggests the Ivy League's practices persisted despite losing an antitrust exemption, raising broader concerns about affordability in elite higher education.

Princeton's administration has not publicly responded to the allegations as of April 14, but the university faces mounting pressure to provide transparency. The requested documents include internal communications, financial aid policies, and data on tuition-setting processes, which could reveal the extent of coordination, if any, among the Ivies. Critics argue these practices exacerbate the financial burden on students, while defenders of the universities claim financial aid policies are designed to ensure access for diverse applicants.

The investigation arrives amid heightened scrutiny of Princeton, with recent federal funding cuts tied to separate allegations of mishandling antisemitism on campus. Eisgruber has vowed to defend academic freedom and due process, but the antitrust probe adds a new layer of complexity to the university's challenges. As Congress awaits Princeton's response, the outcome could reshape perceptions of fairness and competition in America's most prestigious academic institutions.