<p>Try comparing state schools with selective private colleges, using College Abacus or the NPCs, for various family income levels. I’ve found that, below a fairly high income level, the so-called “full need” private colleges (<a href=“http://www.usnews.com/education/best-colleges/paying-for-college/articles/2013/09/18/colleges-that-claim-to-meet-full-financial-need-2014”>http://www.usnews.com/education/best-colleges/paying-for-college/articles/2013/09/18/colleges-that-claim-to-meet-full-financial-need-2014</a>) tend to compete pretty well on price. Below is an example.</p>
<p>Assumptions
Maryland resident
$120,000 family income (split evenly between married parents); $5K in untaxed income
$100,000 in financial assets; $25K in cash/checking
$50K in home equity (house purchased in the year 2000 for $300K )
$12K paid in federal income taxes
2 children, 1 age 14, 1 age 16 (HS junior), 4 exemptions
GPA=4.0, SAT M+CR=1450
Fall 2015 admission</p>
<p>Estimated Net Costs of Attendance
$23,623 Columbia ($40,821 total aid)
$23,556 Amherst College ($40,850 total aid)
$20,837 University of Maryland College Park ($2.5K total aid, in-state)
$19,448 Yale ($41,852 total aid)
$19,300 Princeton ($39,965 total aid)</p>