SOUTH HADLEY, Mass. (WWLP) - A new federal lawsuit filed in Massachusetts targets 32 prestigious colleges and universities, including four in western Massachusetts, alleging that their early decision application process makes education more expensive and favors wealthy students.

The lawsuit, filed on August 8 in Massachusetts federal court, names Amherst College, Mount Holyoke College, Smith College, and Williams College among the institutions accused of participating in what the plaintiffs describe as an "early decision conspiracy." The plaintiffs, two graduates from Wesleyan University, a student from Vassar College, and a student from Washington University, claim that the early decision process leads to higher tuition prices and disproportionately benefits wealthier applicants.

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