<p>I have direct experience, too, with one of these schools and very similar family income, 2 kids in college, etc. I can’t speak to your parents’ assets, as you didn’t give us that info – but outside of that I think you can expect those 100% meets-needs LACs you mentioned to expect approximately $10,000 a year with one in college, about $6,000 for you if you also have a sibling in college. These, are of course, super-rough estimates, but it’s likely to be in that range.</p>
<p>Included in the amount you and your family would be expected to pay is probably $1000-$2000 in student summer earnings contribution. Probably $1500-$1800 in your personal “walking around money” (what you might earn with a part-time workstudy job on campus.) About $1000 for books. So you can save a lot by getting cheaper books, lowering your personal walking-around-money budget by half (both my kids have done this, no problem), and whatever you earn in the summer to put toward school. You may then end up with annual loans in the $6000-$7000 with one in college, maybe the $3000 range with 2 in college. Of course this is only the case if the school does NOT package loans already in its financial aid. Not sure if Williams is still loan-free, although it used to be.</p>
<p>But, yes, it can vary widely. The numbers above reflect our experience. I recommend the online calculators on the Williams and Amherst websites. I have found them to be very accurate if you input accurate data.</p>