None of the top 10 U.S. colleges that provide the best financial aid are public schools.

The acceptance at your dream college can be thrilling. However, the financial aid package's opening can decide whether that dream becomes attainable.

Over 80% of first-year, full-time undergraduate students at 4-year colleges received financial aid during the 2020-21 academic year, according to the National Center for Education Statistics' most recent data.

Private non-profit colleges had a higher likelihood of students receiving aid and higher average grant amounts compared to public school students, according to NCES reports.

While private schools may charge more, they often provide more generous financial aid packages for students who need it.

According to NCES, the average grant amount of $25,400 from private schools is significantly larger than the $6,600 average grant award among public school students nationally.

Private schools appear to have satisfied students with their financial aid packages, as the Princeton Review's student survey ranked the top 10 colleges with the best financial aid as private institutions.

In the 2024 edition of its annual Best Colleges book, Princeton Review surveyed students at 389 colleges to determine which schools offer the best financial aid.

Financial aid typically consists of grants and scholarships that do not have to be repaid, along with loans that must be paid back. Students and their families often use a variety of funding sources, including federal and state government aid and institutional scholarships, to cover the cost of college.

The 10 schools where students are most content with their financial aid packages, according to the most recent data available on each institution's websites, have an average net price of $15,000, with 70% of students receiving aid and an average amount of $10,000.

1. Washington University in St. Louis—St. Louis

• 2024-25 tuition: $64,500
• Average net price: $23,432
• Percent of first-year students receiving any aid: 50%
• Average institutional grants and scholarships: $55,559

2. Thomas Aquinas College—Santa Paula, California

• 2024-25 tuition: $30,200
• Average net price: $24,217
• Percent of first-year students receiving any aid: 73%
• Average institutional grants and scholarships: $12,366

3. Skidmore College—Saratoga Springs, New York

• 2024-25 tuition: $67,140
• Average net price: $33,389
• Percent of first-year students receiving any aid: 65%
• Average institutional grants and scholarships: $43,558

4.  College of the Atlantic—Bar Harbor, Maine

• 2024-25 tuition: $47,448
• Average net price: $22,316
• Percent of first-year students receiving any aid: 97%
• Average institutional grants and scholarships: $31,093

5. Wabash College—Crawfordsville, Indiana

• 2024-25 tuition: $49,800
• Average net price: $22,976
• Percent of first-year students receiving any aid: 100%
• Average institutional grants and scholarships: $34,885

6. Emory University—Atlanta

• 2024-25 tuition: $63,400
• Average net price: $26,680
• Percent of first-year students receiving any aid: 56%
• Average institutional grants and scholarships: $46,482

7. St. Olaf College—Northfield, Minnesota

• 2024-25 tuition: $59,760
• Average net price: $26,171
• Percent of first-year students receiving any aid: 99%
• Average institutional grants and scholarships: $37,940

8. Reed College—Portland, Oregon

• 2024-25 tuition: $69,040
• Average net price: $33,106
• Percent of first-year students receiving any aid: 64%
• Average institutional grants and scholarships: $46,794

9. Williams College—Williamstown, Massachusetts

• 2024-25 tuition: $68,240
• Average net price: $20,965
• Percent of first-year students receiving any aid: 55%
• Average institutional grants and scholarships: $55,371

10.  Gettysburg College—Gettysburg, Pennsylvania

• 2024-25 tuition: $66,640
• Average net price: $33,882
• Percent of first-year students receiving any aid: 97%
• Average institutional grants and scholarships: $41,092

To become a successful and confident communicator, enroll in CNBC's online course, "Become an Effective Communicator: Master Public Speaking." Our program will teach you how to speak clearly and confidently, manage your nerves, choose the right words and body language, and make a great first impression. Sign up now and use code EARLYBIRD for a 30% discount through July 10, 2024.

Sign up for CNBC Make It's newsletter to receive expert advice on work, money, and life.