Princeton Review Names Top 10 Private Colleges with Great Financial Aid

Most families prefer their children to attend public colleges because they are known to better fit the family budget, but these private schools argue otherwise.

The Princeton Review’s 2018 ranking found the top 10 colleges with the most generous financial aid packages. CNBC reports that although these colleges have costly tuition and fees, about two thirds of all full-time students receive aid that can notably lower the price of overall attendance.

Here’s the list:

10. Colgate University

Located in Hamilton, New York. Colgate, known as one of the best liberal arts schools, on average, offers students more than $45,000 in grant aid.

9. Yale University

Located in New Haven, Connecticut. This Ivy League school puts more than  $100 million toward student aid each year.

8. Vassar College

Located in Poughkeepsie, New York. Despite being one of the most expensive places to study in the country, the average student need-based scholarship is a little more than $45,000.

7. Princeton University

Located in Princeton, New Jersey. This university is well aware of its expenses, which is why they rid of all loans for students who qualify for financial aid. Instead, Princeton offers uncompensated grants.

6. Pomona College

Located in Claremont, California. Pomona, a need-blind college, focuses on creating “significant socio-economic diversity” according to its senior associate dean and director of admissions, Adam Sapp. The school’s average need-based scholarship runs at about $41,443.

5. Washington University

Located in St. Louis, Missouri. Its average need-based scholarship is $40,509, and for families making less than $75,000 a year, Washington U. offers grant-based aid.

4. Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art

Located in New York, New York. These lucky students receive a tuition scholarship worth more than $20,000 a year. Cooper Union also offers aid that help cover housing, food, books and supplies.

3. Vanderbilt University

Located in Nashville, Tennessee. Vanderbilt offers three scholarships– Ingram Scholars, Cornelius Vanderbilt Scholars and Chancellor’s Scholars–that cover everything from full tuition to conduct research. These scholarships are renewable for all four years of college.

2. Williams College

Located in Williamstown, Massachusetts. Working toward covering its students’ education, Williams has met 100 percent of all proven undergrad need for all four years.

1. Bowdoin University

Located in Brunswick, Maine. About 52 percent of students enrolled at Bowdoin receive financial aid thanks to its endowed grant budget, work study programs and scholarships.