<p>How would financial aid compare at these two schools? I am thinking specifically of how much debt one would end up with.</p>
<p>Well, Tufts is in the billion-dollar endowment club, so it would seem they have more money to spread around.</p>
<p>In the Williams view book they indicate that persons in my income bracket would end up with a maximum four year loan of around four thousand dollars. So you think Tufts would be equal to or better than this in terms of loan debt?</p>
<p>My D was accepted both places and both gave her great financial aid packages. Tufts is very generous with their FA so if you get in, it will be affordable.</p>
<p>Look at Tufts’ viewbook.</p>
<p>Tufts is very generous with financial aid if you are on the lower end of the spectrum and require lots of money. However, if you are in the middle class, you will be hardpressed to get a good offer from them. Tufts is not needblind (I’m not sure about Williams but I’d assume that they are), though it does add attractive offers to those who cannot afford it. I’d say within the next 5-10 years it will make the change assuming the endowment grows steadily as it is doing so now.</p>
<p>Tufts:
Average total indebtedness of 2005 graduating class:
$14,400
Percent of 2005 graduating class who have borrowed:
40%</p>
<p>Need-based aid (first figure Freshmen, second all Undergrads)
Students who applied for financial aid 55% 45%
Those determined to have financial need 39% 38%
Students whose need was fully met (excluding PLUS or other private loans) 100% 100%
Avg. financial aid package (% awarded aid) $25,199 (39%) $25,749 (38%)
Avg. need-based scholarships or grants (% awarded aid) $23,271 (36%) $22,465 (36%)
Avg. self-help aid, such as work study or loans (% awarded aid) $4,121 (34%) $5,292 (36%)
Avg. need-based loan (excluding PLUS or other private loans) $3,025 $4,287
% need met (of those awarded need-based aid) 100% 100%
Non-need-based aid
Avg. merit award (% awarded aid) $500 (2%) $500 (2%)
Avg. athletic scholarship (% awarded aid) $0 (0%) $0 (0%)</p>
<p>Williams:
Average total indebtedness of 2005 graduating class:
$10,900
Percent of 2005 graduating class who have borrowed:
39%</p>
<p>Need-based aid
Students who applied for financial aid 60% 51%
Those determined to have financial need 49% 44%
Students whose need was fully met (excluding PLUS or other private loans) 100% 100%
Avg. financial aid package (% awarded aid) $31,653 (49%) $30,309 (44%)
Avg. need-based scholarships or grants (% awarded aid) $29,507 (48%) $27,189 (43%)
Avg. self-help aid, such as work study or loans (% awarded aid) $2,258 (49%) $3,470 (44%)
Avg. need-based loan (excluding PLUS or other private loans) $2,128 $2,976
% need met (of those awarded need-based aid) 100% 100%
Non-need-based aid
Avg. merit award (% awarded aid) $0 (0%) $0 (0%)
Avg. athletic scholarship (% awarded aid) $0 (0%) $0 (0%)</p>
<p>For $15/year you can get these (and many more) figures from US News on line. Also, take into consideration that they may or may not apply to you at all.</p>