<p>Some sample great packages from kids I know this year: U Mich is about $10K less in sticker price from, say, Johns Hopkins for kids around here. throw in a $10K merit award, and you are looking at $20K a year differential or $80K over 4 years. A young man accepted to Richmond college is being offered $22K more a year over his first choice Haverford. Family could really use the money, though they don’t qualify for for financial aid. Slightly less in cost as well. University of Denver at $25K less than BU and $30 less than Tufts or Colgate.? Furman vs Dickenson, for a price diff of $24K a year? Depauw is offering $25K less than what Villanova wants. That these kids from well heeled families, that did not qualify for financial aid are taking these offers, plus many more are going our state school route at schools where this happened rarely 15 years ago when I first moved here, indicates to me that cost is taking an increasingly important role in college choice.</p>
<p>Also, when looking at cost figures, there is a big difference between a sticker price of $60K, which is where some of these schools are, and $40K. Even $50K. When one looks at discounts in dollar amounts, it is really important. $10K off of a top priced school still can exceed the cost of one with a $50K COA.</p>