The 2025 College Football Playoff bracket is set, but while the teams prepare for the gridiron, families across the country are facing a different kind of competition: the college financial aid application process. This weekend, I want to bring a new perspective to this year’s teams by analyzing the playoff schools not by their football prowess, but by their sticker price vs. net cost after aid.
In the video above, I take a look at an Ohio-based family, the Smiths. Here are their financial stats:
- Combined Household Income: $225,000
- Savings and Checking: $50,000
- Non-Retirement Investments: $125,000
- Home Equity: $300,000
They have a fantastic student who has racked up:
- Unweighted GPA: 3.950
- Weighted GPA: 4.200
- SAT Score: 1430
- ACT Score: 32
The Sticker Price Illusion
When looking at schools like Tulane or Miami, “sticker shock” is real, with costs exceeding $98,000 to $100,000 per year. Conversely, an option like Ohio State sits near $34,000.
However, the “sticker price” becomes largely meaningless once you factor in available discounts for our sample student (scholarships, grants, need-based aid, etc.) to determine the net, out-of-pocket cost. As you see in the video, the University of Miami can jump from the bottom of the list to the middle of the pack once financial aid is applied, potentially cutting the out-of-pocket cost in half.
Merit Scholarships as a Recruiting Tool
Not all schools use the same strategy to attract talent. Schools like Alabama and Ole Miss actively recruit students with high GPAs and test scores because they’re trying to raise their national academic rankings. These schools offer significant merit scholarships to incentivize talented students. For a student with a 32 ACT and 3.95 GPA, these scholarships can make out-of-state SEC schools more affordable than an in-state university.
In contrast, schools like Georgia or JMU may not offer the same level of incentives because they don’t feel the need to “buy” those stats to maintain their current standing.
The “Snowflake” Factor: Need-Based Aid
Every family’s financial situation is a “snowflake” — unique and requiring a tailored approach, so another financial aid differentiator to consider is how schools assess assets. While most schools use the FAFSA, some private elite schools use the CSS Profile. A key example is home equity: Tulane considers it a resource, while Miami does not. For a family with $300,000 in home equity, this single difference can result in a $15,000 swing in annual out-of-pocket costs.
The Final Score: The Four-Year Outlook
Across this playoff field, the total four-year cost for our sample family ranges from $125,000 to over $250,000, so as you watch the playoff this weekend, remember to mind the gap between a school’s cost and your family’s budget before sending your student into the stadium of academia.
If you have any questions about how I determined these financial aid figures and how I can help YOUR family, please don’t hesitate to schedule a complimentary meeting with me.
