I'm looking for some insights on how to interpret a comparison of financial aid outcomes for 2 similar schools - Amherst and Williams. (I choose these 2 because they are both top tier LAC's with endowments that are of a similar size...it has nothing to do with my son's thought process on where he will apply).
The CDS reveals that:
A) 74% of Amherst frosh applied for financial aid compared to 59% at Williams.
B) 31% of Amherst 2014 graduates took out loans compared to 34% at Williams.
My first thought on A was that perhaps Amherst's class is more middle class/less affluent than Williams' class. Then I looked at the loan information in B which led me to think perhaps the two schools are closer to being alike than point A would suggest.
Any thoughts on how to interpret any of this?
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