I have to echo Mom2 here. It’s all in the eye of the beholder. If you are one of the lucky FEW to get merit aid from Purdue, there are few better bargains around. And yes, Purdue is lopsided in its M/F ratio, so girls are more likely to be incentivized with money. Not taking anything from your D, billcsho, as you note it takes a very good student to get a merit award from Purdue, M or F.
But as noted above, most students will NOT get a merit award, and therein lies the stinginess. Not really an issue for instate kids because the school is CHEAP for them. It’s more borderline for OOS, but I’d argue it’s still a good value because OOS tuition is “only” $27k, and it’s cheap to live in West Lafayette.
UIUC is disgracing the state. An amazing school that is pricing it’s way right down the tubes. Doing the opposite of Alabama…chasing away the best and brightest from its own state.