Boston College vs. Brown: Which Offers Better Financial Aid?

Question

I’m deciding whether to apply to Boston College and Brown, and financial aid will be a major factor in where I attend. My family’s finances are fairly typical, but we may not qualify for much need-based aid. How do their financial aid policies generally compare, especially for families in the middle-income range?

Accepted Answer

For a middle-income family, Brown is more likely to produce the stronger need-based aid package when you qualify for institutional aid, particularly because its Brown Promise eliminates loans from undergraduate aid awards. Brown also has especially favorable policies for many families with moderate incomes and typical assets, while Boston College’s aid can include a student loan component.

Boston College can still be quite affordable for families with demonstrated need, but it does not promise to match Brown’s no-loan structure. BC’s need-based packages may combine grants, work-study, and federal student loans.

Brown does not award merit scholarships; its assistance is need-based. For a family that may receive little need-based aid, the practical comparison is each school’s Net Price Calculator result. Run both calculators using the same year’s income, savings, investments, home equity information, and number of siblings in college. A small difference in how either college treats assets can matter more than a broad “middle-income” label.

Boston College vs. Brown: Which Offers Better Financial Aid?

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