<p>The average net cost (tuition + room + board + loans - need-based aid; I am adding loans back in because they have to be repaid eventually) for students on financial aid is $21,669 at GWU (40% of the freshman class receives need-based fin aid) and $18,476 at MIT (61% on fin aid). Of course these numbers have to be taken with a grain of salt because GWU also gives out merit money which MIT does not.</p>
<p>(Numbers for 2007-08 as published by Collegeboard)</p>