Affording higher education

Yesterday the University of Pennsylvania made history by announcing that it would pay for tuition, room and board for all students from families with incomes of up to $50,000. By topping similar aid commitments from wealthier universities, Penn will hopefully set off competition among top tier colleges to put money where their mouths ought to be: providing higher education for a greater number of qualified students.

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill announced a similar program. Hopefully other public and private institutions will follow suit.