In 1918, Milton Hershey placed his wealth into a trust to support the school. That structure created a steady source of funding designed to last in perpetuity.
Today, that support allows both Milton Hershey School and Catherine Hershey Schools for Early Learning to provide an exceptional educational experience at no cost to students and their families.
Supporting Students, Then and Now
From its earliest years, Milton Hershey School provided students with education, housing, meals, clothing, and care.
Today, students at Milton Hershey School take part in academic, career, and community experiences throughout their time on campus.
These experiences help students build skills, explore interests, and prepare for what comes next. MHS graduates have access to significant scholarship support for postsecondary education, often covering most or all of the cost.
Building Skills for the Future
Top 3%
of Pennsylvania districts in math and English language arts
1,100+
career exposure experiences
245
internships, co-ops, or pre-apprenticeships
264
students earned college credits while in high school
Nearly 47,000
hours of community service completed in one year
NY Evening Telegram, 1923“What good is money unless you use it for the benefit of the community and of humanity in general?”
What Happens After Graduation: Long-Term Impacts
All metrics reflect MHS 4-year averages. Data is drawn from MHS Graduate Surveys administered 8, 12, and 16 years after graduation.
72%
of graduates complete education beyond high school, nearly 20 points higher than the national average
$100,000+
Household incomes of 44% of graduates
43%
Alumni homeownership rates, exceeding national averages for young adults
87%
of alumni rate their health as good or excellent
60%
of alumni volunteered in 2024 and 2025, more than double the national average for young adults
Expanding the Legacy to Early Childhood Education
In October 2020, Milton Hershey School announced a $350 million initiative to develop Early Childhood Education Centers for children from qualifying families.
Today, Catherine Hershey Schools for Early Learning provides a cost-free educational, social, and cognitive day program for kids across Pennsylvania from six weeks to age 5.
