<p>It’s an individual situation for each family, and even for each kid in the family. Even for those with a zero EFC up to those with a 999999 EFC meaning no financial aid. THere are merit awards in the picture that can really change the costs.</p>
<p>My son’s least expensive choice, for instance, for instance would have been a pricey little Catholic school that gave him a full tuition award. He could live at home and commute. With a part time job which he could easily find, he would have been flush in money, had his car, and it would have hardly cost us anything. Better than the SUNYs that accepted him, but didn’t offer him any money. And it would have been less the community college which would have meant tuition payments and the drive being even further than this school. </p>
<p>For those who qualify for financial aid, a private school that meets need could be a better choice than a public that does not, and few publics guarantee to meet need.</p>
<p>But the way it seems to work most often for those whose incomes are midrange in the group of parents wanting to help pay for their kids’ college is that with need, the Private offers come in right around what the state costs would be. I’ve seen this scenario so many times.</p>