Michael Scarlett knew more about college costs than most parents. A professor of education at Augustana College in Illinois, he understood that the sticker prices colleges advertise are typically reduced dramatically with scholarships and grants, particularly at private institutions. But when it came time for his son Brendan to apply to college last year, he […]
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Top Colleges Are Cheaper Than You Think (Unless You’re Rich)
The cost of college is a notoriously complex subject. The list price at many private colleges, including tuition, fees, room and board, has reached the bewildering sum of $70,000 a year. But the real price, taking into account financial aid, is often vastly lower. How much lower? We’re here to help answer that question.
More than 30 top colleges now participate in a simple online calculator that provides cost estimates to families. (And those 30 typically charge similar prices to other selective colleges.) The New York Times has analyzed the data from the calculator and is publishing the results here. It’s a snapshot of what college really costs.