For real answer on AP you need to look at each school. One D’s LAC allowed only a max of 3 to exempt classes. Others could be used for placement. D at big state got credit for all hers but they didn’t necessarily help. For instance her major required euro OR us history. She had APs for both plus world but only one counted on her program and then still needed a non-western history. She did get the hours for all so she was two semesters ahead for things like priority on registration times and football tickets but didn’t help her graduated early. She did double major. Maybe with planning she could have shaved off a semester. On each website for schools you are researching check for AP page which should explain how courses count.
You can also dig into department pages. Sometimes they will have a list of courses that will note when taught (every spring, every other fall, etc). If you visit, asking tour guides and current students about availability of classes and how easy it is to get into ones you want is a good idea.
Agree about setting budget expectations… It avoids arguments to just say “you have $x for college “ and then let her do the research and math and reach her conclusions before she applies.