<p>redcrimblue - I stand by my facts too. It depends on the situation - generalizations are useless. The financial aid story changes when you get to 100-125K or more. Read: No aid dollars. Probably sounds like LOTS of money - but remember - schools don't take into account geographic location. And if you're living near NYC or many other large cities - the cost of living is astronomical. I'm not talking about parents who tool around in luxury cars and live in big box mansions. A tiny old cape cod can cost in excess of a half-million in these parts. So yes, it IS hard to handle a 200k Ivy bill, especially with multiple kids. And yes, the state school is a lot cheaper. Many kids are forced to choose SUNY Albany, Buffalo or Bing or go into big debt - even those that have parents that make good money. I'd say it's the poor/ lower middle class and the rich who have the best choices. Making 100K in NYC - NOT rich.</p>