<p>The data-driven way to evaluate is to look at the Common Data Set (CDS) information for each school, in the areas of admission statistics (grades and GPA) and merit-based aid.</p>
<p>For example, Tulane, mentioned in your post:</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>So you need to be in the top 34.5% of Freshmen to get merit aid at Tulane, and well into that group (say top 17%) to get something like the $20,000/year average.</p>
<p>
Grade Point Average of Enrolled Freshmen (4.0 scale)
Average GPA 3.51
3.75 and Above 31%
3.50 - 3.74 26%
3.25 - 3.49 20%
3.00 - 3.24 15%
2.50 - 2.99 7%
2.00 - 2.49 1%
SAT Scores of Enrolled Freshmen
SAT Math 662 average
620-710 range of middle 50%
Score of 700 - 800 32%
Score of 600 - 700 56%
Score of 500 - 600 11%
Score of 400 - 500 2%
Score of 300 - 400 0%
Score of 200 - 300 0%
SAT Critical Reading 670 average
630-720 range of middle 50%
Score of 700 - 800 35%
Score of 600 - 700 52%
Score of 500 - 600 12%
Score of 400 - 500 1%
Score of 300 - 400 0%
Score of 200 - 300 0%
</p>
<p>So you want an SAT score above 1400 and a GPA above 3.75 to get merit aid at Tulane, and you need to be well above those stats for substantial merit aid.</p>
<p>Competitive merit aid at Tulane and many other schools is also dependent on “soft” factors as well, so stats alone won’t necessarily tell the whole story. </p>
<p>At other schools, the awards are purely or nearly purely stats-driven. Alabama is a good example that has already been mentioned.</p>