Is Brown more affordable than Princeton for a student receiving financial aid?

The biggest practical difference is that Princeton’s need-based aid policy tends to cover more of the total cost for families with substantial demonstrated need, while Brown also meets full demonstrated need but may calculate a higher family contribution in some cases. Both schools replace loans with grants in their need-based aid packages, so neither should require you to borrow federally or privately just to meet the institution’s calculated need. Neither Brown nor Princeton awards merit scholarships, so the comparison will rest almost entirely on each school’s aid formula.

However, income alone is not decisive: parent assets, home equity, family size, siblings in college, and noncustodial-parent information can change the result.

Use each school’s official net price calculator with the same financial information, then compare the estimated parent contribution and any expected student contribution, not just the grant amount. If the offers differ materially after admission, it is reasonable to ask the higher-cost school to review the award using the other college’s offer and any changed financial circumstances.