News Summary
A class action lawsuit has been filed against 32 prestigious universities, including Brown University, for allegedly inflating attendance costs through early decision admissions practices. The lawsuit claims these practices disadvantage low-income students and harm competition. The plaintiffs argue that binding early decision agreements are unethical and advocate for reforms to promote equity in college admissions. The case has garnered attention as it highlights ongoing concerns regarding access to higher education for disadvantaged groups.
Boston, Massachusetts – A class action lawsuit was filed on Friday in the U.S. District Court of Massachusetts against 32 elite colleges and universities, including Brown University, for allegedly inflating the cost of attendance through early decision admissions practices, in violation of antitrust laws. The suit claims that these practices unfairly disadvantage price-sensitive students and create a system that disproportionately benefits wealthier applicants.
The lawsuit named three current students and a recent graduate as plaintiffs; notably, none of them are directly affiliated with Brown University. Along with Brown, other prominent institutions involved include Amherst College, Columbia University, Duke University, and the University of Chicago. The suit also identifies two college application platforms, the Common Application and Scoir, as co-defendants, alongside the Consortium on Financing Higher Education.
According to the plaintiffs, the early decision process contributes to a form of collusion among colleges where they agree not to compete for early decision applicants. Under this system, students accepted through early decision cannot compare financial aid offers from different schools, resulting in inflated tuition prices. Once a student is accepted through early decision, they must withdraw their applications from other institutions and commit to the chosen college, effectively locking them into potentially unfavorable financial arrangements.
The lawsuit challenges the legality of early decision agreements, claiming they are unenforceable and more of an ethical obligation than a legal one. The plaintiffs argue that such agreements foster inequity in the college admission process, particularly harming lower- and middle-income families who cannot engage in high-stakes commitments without full knowledge of the financial implications.
Brown University, through its Senior Vice President for Communications, has stated that the lawsuit lacks merit and that the institution is prepared to defend itself vigorously against the allegations. In January 2024, Brown had previously settled a separate antitrust lawsuit focused on admissions for $19.5 million, denying any wrongdoing in that case as well.
The plaintiffs contend that early decision policies elevate tuition costs and detract from competition among colleges. They argue that the current model primarily serves affluent students, who can afford to make immediate commitments without comprehensive financial evaluations from multiple schools.
The lawsuit seeks several measures, including injunctions to abolish binding early decision practices, compensations for affected students in the past, and overall reforms to admissions and financial aid systems. Concerns regarding equity are central to the case, as the plaintiffs highlight that the early decision process tends to adversely impact students from lower-income backgrounds, creating significant barriers to access that prevent them from receiving fair treatment in college admissions.
Attorney Benjamin Brown, who is representing the plaintiffs, emphasized that early decision admissions enable agreements among competing colleges not to vie for students—a practice they argue violates fundamental antitrust laws. As the case unfolds, many institutions named in the lawsuit, including Williams College, have chosen not to comment on the allegations apart from their declarations of the lawsuit’s lack of merit.
This lawsuit emerges in a climate where early decision admissions are increasingly scrutinized for perpetuating inequality within higher education— an issue that has grown more pressing in light of socio-political discussions surrounding access to college and fairness in admissions practices.
The proceedings of this case will likely continue to shape the debate over the future of early decision admissions and its broader implications for equity in higher education, particularly impacting students from disadvantaged backgrounds as they seek opportunities for college education.
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HERE Resources
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Additional Resources
- Brown Daily Herald: Lawsuit Against Brown University
- Wikipedia: College Admissions in the United States
- Forbes: Lawsuit Against Elite Colleges
- Google Search: College Admissions Price Fixing
- Washington Post: Early Decision Price Fixing Lawsuit
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Antitrust Law
- Boston Globe: Lawsuit Over Early Decision
- Google News: Early Decision College Admissions
Author: STAFF HERE PROVIDENCE WRITER
PROVIDENCE STAFF WRITER The PROVIDENCE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREProvidence.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Providence, Providence County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as WaterFire, Rhode Island International Film Festival, and Rhode Island Comic Con. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce and Providence Warwick Convention & Visitors Bureau, plus leading businesses in finance and manufacturing that power the local economy such as Citizens Financial Group and Textron. As part of the broader HERE network, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Rhode Island's dynamic landscape.
