At first glance, the Little Ivies have tuition rates similar to the Ivy League. The total yearly cost, including tuition, room, board, and fees, is usually around $85,000 to $90,000. For the 2023–24 academic year, costs range from about $81,000 at Swarthmore to around $93,000 at Haverford. However, generous financial aid significantly lowers expenses for most students. All these colleges have strong need-based aid programs, and most offer need-blind admissions for U.S. students. As mentioned earlier, almost all Little Ivies promise to meet 100% of demonstrated financial need. As a result, the average net price, or what families actually pay after grants and scholarships, is much less than the sticker price for those receiving aid. For instance, in 2023–24, the average net prices for aided students at schools like Amherst, Swarthmore, Bowdoin, Williams, and Wesleyan typically fall in the high-teens to low-20s; Colby is around $17,000. In contrast, families that don’t qualify for aid usually face the full cost of approximately $85,000 per year. Nonetheless, payment plans and sibling discounts can help manage these costs.

One difference lies in merit aid policies. Many Little Ivies, especially the most competitive, do not offer merit scholarships and focus solely on need-based aid. Colleges like Amherst, Bowdoin, Colgate, Hamilton, Haverford, Williams, and Bates fall into this category. These schools direct aid dollars toward need-based grants, often replacing loans for the neediest students. However, a few colleges use merit awards to attract talented students. Trinity College in Connecticut stands out as it offers merit scholarships to those who qualify. This greatly offsets Trinity’s $89,000 cost of attendance for top students. Connecticut College also provides merit aid, averaging about $30,800, along with schools like Lafayette ($22,700), Union ($20,200), Middlebury ($17,300), and Wesleyan ($18,800). Although Swarthmore mainly focuses on need-based aid, a very small number of students receive named scholarships, such as the McCabe Achievement Award, a full-tuition award for four years. The availability of merit aid can make certain Little Ivies great values for high-achieving families that do not qualify for need-based aid. For example, Colgate, Lafayette, and Trinity are recognized for their strong merit aid within this group.

For students with financial need, these colleges are often very affordable. Most have policies that eliminate or cap loans in their aid packages. Swarthmore, Amherst, Bowdoin, and others have “no-loan” financial aid policies, replacing loans with grants, allowing students from lower-income families to graduate debt-free. The average need-based scholarship at several Little Ivies surpasses $60,000 per year, often covering most of the costs. For example, Amherst’s average need-based award is around $68,000 and Colby’s is about $70,000. Middle-income families also receive substantial aid; many colleges use sliding scales that allow households under certain income thresholds to pay $0 in tuition. This results in low student debt: many Little Ivy graduates carry debt well below the national average. Amherst’s median debt is in the low- to mid-teens, notably lower than the national average of around $25,000 to $30,000. Schools like Williams, Swarthmore, and Haverford have similar figures. Some schools, such as Bowdoin and Colby, include small federal loans in their packages, but the total debt at graduation for aided students is often under $20,000 to $25,000, with many having no loans at all.

Additionally, these colleges focus on affordability beyond tuition. They often cover indirect costs for low-income students, such as textbook grants and travel stipends. They also maintain emergency funds to ensure all students can fully participate in campus life. Many have need-blind admissions, meaning a student’s ability to pay does not influence admission decisions. They will all meet the demonstrated need of international students, though a few consider financial need in admissions for international applicants. Work-study opportunities are plentiful as a part of aid packages, and campuses work to ensure jobs like research assistantships or tutoring support academics.

Cost transparency and personalized aid counseling are crucial in the process. Families are encouraged to use Net Price Calculators on each college’s website. While the initial price tag may be high, many agree that for those who qualify for aid, a Little Ivy can be as affordable as a state university. One source notes that when full need is met, “the overall cost at a Little Ivy becomes comparable to that of a larger public university” for many students. In fact, some lower-income students pay no tuition at all and even receive aid refunds to cover personal expenses. For families not receiving aid, these colleges recognize the financial burden. Many offer payment plans, and their large endowments help keep tuition increases moderate. In summary, while the sticker price is high, the Little Ivies heavily invest in financial aid, making elite liberal arts education accessible to students from all backgrounds. This affordability, along with strong outcomes, contributes to these colleges’ reputation as a solid investment in students’ futures.



Further Reading
College Scorecard (U.S. Dept. of Education)
https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/
Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS)
https://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/
NACUBO–TIAA Study of Endowments
https://www.nacubo.org/Research
Institutional Financial Aid Pages
‍Amherst: https://www.amherst.edu/admission/financial_aid
‍Williams: https://www.williams.edu/admission-aid/financial-aid/
‍Swarthmore: https://www.swarthmore.edu/financial-aid
Princeton Review – Financial Aid & Merit Aid Data
https://www.princetonreview.com/college-advice/financial-aid
Forbes – Colleges With the Least Student Debt
https://www.forbes.com/sites/zackfriedman/colleges-least-student-debt/