Choosing a college is a significant life decision, but higher education costs are an issue for many families and students. Luckily, financial support can make all the difference in the world, making a desire that might otherwise seem unattainable a reality, and there are top colleges for financial aid you can choose from.
Without financial aid, the total cost incurred at some four-year colleges and universities—after factoring in tuition, fees, accommodation, books, transportation, and other expenses—is nearly $100,000 a year.
However, while college costs continue to rise, students and their parents rarely have the funds to pay the total amount. Aside from their income and savings, most families depend on federal aid, which may include grants, work-study, and student loans, to help bridge the affordability gap.
Problems with the new federal student aid application form have heightened families’ concerns, and early signs indicate that FAFSA issues may persist into the next application season. The U.S. Department of Education announced a delayed start date in December.
With the cost of college being the top concern among families, issues with the FAFSA will continue to affect students and their parents. This is why the college financial aid program is very crucial.
The Top 10 Colleges for Financial Aid
The Princeton Review’s list of the top 10 colleges for financial aid highlights schools that provide excellent education and offer generous financial assistance to their students. The 2025 edition of the company’s college guide is based on data from surveys completed by 168,000 students during the 2023–24 academic year.
The average scholarship grant given to students in need in 2023–2024 was over $70,000 at several universities near the top of The Princeton Review’s ranking. The top 10 colleges are:
Skidmore College
Skidmore College is located in Saratoga Springs, New York, with a sticker price of $85,230. The average need-based scholarship is $53,700, resulting in a total out-of-pocket cost of $31,530. For first-year students with need-based aid, 100% of financial need is typically met.
Gettysburg College
Gettysburg College is located in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, and has a sticker price of $82,750. With an average need-based scholarship of $54,032, the total out-of-pocket cost is $28,718. The average share of needs met for first-year students with need-based aid is 90%.
Washington University
Washington University, located in St. Louis, has a sticker price of $87,644. With an average need-based scholarship of $65,777, the total out-of-pocket cost is $21,867. The average share of needs met for first-year students with need-based aid is 100%.
Olin College of Engineering
Olin College of Engineering, located in Needham, Massachusetts, has a sticker price of $86,993. With an average need-based scholarship of $56,825, the total out-of-pocket cost is $30,168. The average share of needs met for first-year students with need-based aid is 100%.
Wabash College
Wabash College, located in Crawfordsville, Indiana, has a sticker price of $65,200. The average need-based scholarship is $39,846, resulting in a total out-of-pocket cost of $25,354. The average share of needs met for first-year students with need-based aid is 94%.
College of the Atlantic
College of the Atlantic, located in Bar Harbor, Maine, has a sticker price of $58,401. With an average need-based scholarship of $39,055, the total out-of-pocket cost is $19,346. The average share of needs met for first-year students with need-based aid is 96%.
Thomas Aquinas College
Thomas Aquinas College, located in Santa Paula, California, has a sticker price of $41,400. The average need-based scholarship is $18,709, resulting in a total out-of-pocket cost of $22,691. The average share of needs met for first-year students with need-based aid is 100%.
Reed College
Reed College, located in Portland, Oregon, has a sticker price of $87,010. The average need-based scholarship is $47,265, which results in a total out-of-pocket cost of $39,745. The average share of needs met for first-year students with need-based aid is 100%.
Williams College
Williams College, located in Williamstown, Massachusetts, has a sticker price of $85,820. The average need-based scholarship is $70,764, leading to a total out-of-pocket cost of $15,056. The average share of needs met for first-year students with need-based aid is 100%.
Princeton University
Princeton University, located in Princeton, New Jersey, has a sticker price of $82,650. The average need-based scholarship is $70,246, resulting in a total out-of-pocket cost of $12,404. The average share of needs met for first-year students with need-based aid is 100%.
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Which Ivy League Gives the Most Financial Aid?
Yale University is unique among Ivy League top colleges for financial aid. It offers an outstanding financial assistance program and is the college with the best financial aid for low-income families. A significant factor in Yale’s excellent ranking is its dedication to providing financial assistance to students who have proven their needs without taking out loans.
This strategy guarantees that Yale is accessible to students from every socioeconomic class without the burden of substantial debt.
What College Is Most Generous With Financial Aid?
Several top colleges with financial aid on The Princeton Review’s list offer generous financial aid packages. Bowdoin College is often recognized as one of the most generous institutions in this regard.
Bowdoin’s policy of meeting 100% of demonstrated needs without loans benefits students, allowing them to graduate debt-free without paying student loans. Additionally, Bowdoin’s financial aid program is designed to be inclusive, ensuring that students from all economic backgrounds can access a world-class education.
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Which US University Gives the Most Financial Aid to International Students?
Yale University and Amherst College are noteworthy schools with the best financial aid for international students. Both universities offer need-based financial aid, meeting 100% of demonstrated financial need.
This means that international students at these universities can receive financial aid packages that cover the total cost of attendance, including tuition, room and board, and other expenses.
Which Universities Give the Most Scholarships to International Students?
In addition to need-based financial aid, many colleges offer merit-based scholarships to international students. Rice University and Vanderbilt University offer full scholarships to undergraduates and significant scholarships to international students based on leadership, academic achievement, and other criteria.
These scholarships are often renewable for all four years of undergraduate study, making them an attractive option for international students who excel academically. By providing substantial scholarships, these institutions guarantee that bright students can pursue higher education in the US despite financial limitations.
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