Is the $42k in “gift aid” need-based financial aid, or merit aid, or some combination of the two?
Just to clarify … you have been determined to be full pay at Northwestern? If the $42k at USC is gift aid and it’s all accounted for due to different treatment of home equity, you’d have to have home equity of about $750k. Does that sound about right?
If UC Berkeley is the least expensive option, go for it! That’s an excellent choice.