Least expensive top colleges?

Okay, so I'm aiming for the top colleges (Ivy leagues and all), but I am worried about the tuition fees. Does anyone know which of the top colleges are the least expensive?

Every Ivy League and top-tier college has a significant sticker price, but most of them also have robust financial aid programs that can make attending these schools much more affordable, especially for families with lower income.

For example, Princeton University is well-known for its very generous financial aid. It uses a sliding scale, with most families making less than $100,000 expected to make no financial contribution. Even families earning up to $250,000 can be eligible for financial aid. This is made possible by their no-loan policy; financial aid packages are comprised entirely of grants and work-study, which do not need to be paid back.

Harvard has a similar policy as well, with families making less than $65,000 not expected to make a contribution. Again, much like Princeton, even families earning up to $150,000 and above may still receive some financial aid.

Yale has a similar system to Princeton and Harvard, where families earning less than $65,000 a year typically pay nothing towards tuition.

It's also noteworthy to talk about Stanford University, which offers free tuition for families making less than $125,000 per year and free tuition, room, and board for families making less than $65,000 per year.

So while on paper these schools may seem expensive, their financial aid policies can drastically reduce the cost for many families. It's a good idea to use the Net Price Calculator on each school's website to get an estimate of what you might expect to pay.

And remember, the cost doesn't have to be a barrier to attending these top colleges. They have financial aid policies in place to make sure talented students from all economic backgrounds have the opportunity to attend.