<p>For average need-based aid, Chicago (at $33K) would appear to be more generous than Brown, Cornell, Georgetown, Penn, WUSTL, JHU, Tufts, ND, Northwestern, or Rice. Unlike any of the Ivies, it also offers merit scholarships, a few for full tuition and more of them for $10K. </p>
<p>On the other hand, Chicago’s average debt at graduation (~$24K) is higher than any of the Ivies. This may be due to different demographics or to different policies. In any case, to judge from some of the CC posts as well as statistics, Chicago does seem to be a little quirky in how it distributes aid.</p>
<p>The LAC with the highest average need-based aid is Amherst (at $39K). About 20 other LACs average ~$30K-$35K, with full costs slightly cheaper than Chicago and lower average debt at graduation. YMMV.</p>
<p>([Kiplinger.com](<a href=“http://www.kiplinger.com/reports/best-college-values/]Kiplinger.com[/url]”>College Rankings | Kiplinger)</a>)</p>