Is it really either or? (BTW, I don't find your question objectionable - I disagree, but it doesn't bother me at all that you asked it). For instance, across

Is it really either or? (BTW, I don't find your question objectionable - I disagree, but it doesn't bother me at all that you asked it). For instance, across the bay from Stanford, there's a large state supported research university that probably has just a few more top-10 and top-5 PhD programs than Stanford (or Harvard, for that matter). It has a much higher percentage of low income students, and because it also enrolls a much larger undergraduate population, it enrolls more low income students (including more students who are the first in their families to ever attend college) than the entire ivy league combined. Why not give 300 mil to that school? You wouldn't be "swelling the middle", these are talented students, but you would be supporting more low income students.