<p>I ran the Caltech Net Price calculator for Caltech and the estimated cost of attendance is over twice what Princeton expects our family to pay. Is Caltech known for its weaker aid? How do lower and middle income families attend Caltech? My son hasn't finished his application but I am not sure he should even apply now.</p>
<p>Caltech has excellent financial aid for a school that isn’t Harvard, Yale, Princeton, and a few others. About 5 - 10 schools are almost free at certain income levels. Other than that, Caltech was better for us than Mudd and Rice (all three “meet full need”), but only by a couple thousand a year. It’s just that those 5 - 10 schools define need drastically differently from all the other schools.</p>
<p>I can say that the financial aid at Tech was better than UChicago (with a 20k merit scholarship) and also better than at Mudd.</p>
<p>Princeton probably has the best financial aid of any school (past the X threshhold for no EFC)… so their calculator is not a fair guestimate for any other school.<br>
I think of course it is best to apply and get the offer to put on the table and compare and evaluate. </p>
<p>I think Caltech is probably a good match for your S in many different ways. See what the offer is.</p>
<p>Yeah, ha-ha, first he’d have to get accepted. Good point! We definitely don’t assume anything for any school as there are many more qualified applicants than spots and I’m sure my son will get some rejection letters this spring.</p>
<p>Thanks for the feedback. My son is still planning to complete the app. as far as I know.</p>