<p>I hear you - what is better than an estimate? The real offer. One scenario, however, where an estimate is better than a real offer is when an ED is in the mix of schools. ED telescopes the whole process into a single point in time BEFORE one can get the actual offers to compare. This is when a fairly accurate estimate is essential not just at the ED school (UIUC does not offer ED), but at the other competing schools to put the ED school’s price in relief. Son is entertaining applying ED at another competing school. </p>
<p>The other reason for having an accurate estimate is - why waste time (student’s time, family’s time, HS school’s time) applying to a college that one would not have a serious chance to pay for?</p>
<p>Paying for college is the other side of the ‘safety match reach’ calculus that we normally use for admissions chances.</p>
<p>The feds thought there was a good enough reason to mandate the calculators. The premise? More (accurate, obviously) info for the consumer of colleges is better than less.</p>