Sample Offer Comparison Report
Financial Analysis
You have secured a very strong set of offers, with gift aid packages that are generally performing at or above typical levels for these colleges. Your offers for UMass Amherst and Colorado School of Mines are particularly competitive, providing excellent value with net costs significantly below the group median.
Key Findings
| Metric | Winner | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| š° Best overall financial deal | UMass Amherst | Lowest net cost of $15,528/year. |
| š Strongest scholarship package | RPI | Highest total gift aid of $48,000. |
| āļø Best balance of generosity & price | UMass Amherst | Combines high merit aid with a low starting cost. |
| ā ļø Most expensive option | RPI | Highest net cost of $33,200/year. |
| š Best college to consider for an appeal | RPI | While strong, there is still room at the top of the range. |
RPI
(39 offers)
Penn State
(52 offers)
CO Mines
(21 offers)
*
UMass Amherst
(50 offers)
How Your Colleges Stack Up
Side-by-side comparison of your offers
across key financial metrics.
Cost of Attendance
Your COA
$79,200
$34,542
$36,710
$33,528
Merit Aid
Your Offers
$46,000
$2,500
$14,000
$18,000
Merit Aid
Typical
39,500
(51% of offers received aid)
0
(58% of offers received aid)
10,000
(48% of offers received aid)
4,357
(60% of offers received aid)
Total Gift Aid
Your Offers
$46,000
$2,500
$14,000
$18,000
Total Gift Aid
Typical
$41,000
$0
$10,000
$9,750
Net Cost
Your Offers
$39,500
$32,042
$22,710
$15,528
Net Cost
Typical
$33,200
$34,542
$26,710
$23,778
% COA Covered
Your Offers
5%
7%
38%
54%
% COA Covered
Typical
5%
0%
27%
29%
Appeal Potential
Moderate
Top-tier offers reached ~$53,000
Low
Most received $0, yours is exceptional
Low
Already at upper end of typical
Low
Likely at ceiling for merit aid
Peer Options
Among similar private engineering schools (WPI, Stevens), RPI's aid is notably generous ā peer schools average $35k in merit aid.
Penn State's merit aid is significantly lower than peer schools (~$10k vs. ~$35k), indicating you have a competitive offer.
CO Mines' aid is on par with peer schools (~$10k vs. ~$35k), indicating you have a competitive offer.
UMass Amherst's aid is on par with peer schools (~$4k vs. ~$35k), indicating you have a competitive offer.
Cost of Attendance
Your COA
$79,200
Merit Aid
Your Offers
$46,000
Merit Aid
Typical
39,500
(51% of offers received aid)
Total Gift Aid
Your Offers
$46,000
Total Gift Aid
Typical
$41,000
Net Cost
Your Offers
$39,500
Net Cost
Typical
$33,200
% COA Covered
Your Offers
5%
% COA Covered
Typical
5%
Appeal Potential
Moderate
Top-tier offers reached ~$53,000
Peer Options
Among similar private engineering schools (WPI, Stevens), RPI's aid is notably generous ā peer schools average $35k in merit aid.
Cost of Attendance
Your COA
$34,542
Merit Aid
Your Offers
$2,500
Merit Aid
Typical
0
(58% of offers received aid)
Total Gift Aid
Your Offers
$2,500
Total Gift Aid
Typical
$0
Net Cost
Your Offers
$32,042
Net Cost
Typical
$34,542
% COA Covered
Your Offers
7%
% COA Covered
Typical
0%
Appeal Potential
Low
Most received $0, yours is exceptional
Peer Options
Penn State's merit aid is significantly lower than peer schools (~$10k vs. ~$35k), indicating you have a competitive offer.
Cost of Attendance
Your COA
$36,710
Merit Aid
Your Offers
$14,000
Merit Aid
Typical
10,000
(48% of offers received aid)
Total Gift Aid
Your Offers
$14,000
Total Gift Aid
Typical
$10,000
Net Cost
Your Offers
$22,710
Net Cost
Typical
$26,710
% COA Covered
Your Offers
38%
% COA Covered
Typical
27%
Appeal Potential
Low
Already at upper end of typical
Peer Options
CO Mines' aid is on par with peer schools (~$10k vs. ~$35k), indicating you have a competitive offer.
Cost of Attendance
Your COA
$33,528
Merit Aid
Your Offers
$18,000
Merit Aid
Typical
4,357
(60% of offers received aid)
Total Gift Aid
Your Offers
$18,000
Total Gift Aid
Typical
$9,750
Net Cost
Your Offers
$15,528
Net Cost
Typical
$23,778
% COA Covered
Your Offers
54%
% COA Covered
Typical
29%
Appeal Potential
Low
Likely at ceiling for merit aid
Peer Options
UMass Amherst's aid is on par with peer schools (~$4k vs. ~$35k), indicating you have a competitive offer.
* This column's comparison uses a small number of reported offers.
Bottom Line
Based on the data provided, UMass Amherst is the best overall financial deal, strongest scholarship package, and best balance of generosity & price. However, RPI is the best college to consider for an appeal.
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