twoinanddone, you’re on the mark, that’s what I have concluded: since we won’t qualify for need-based aid, no matter when I retire, the issue I raised in this forum has been answered, with many thanks to all who have offered thoughts.
Now my focus is shifting from the original topic to:
(1) considering merit-aid possibilities, since there are surely good colleges that might award an enticing four-year scholarship
(2) most significantly, is $300,000 worth spending on a liberal arts education? My daughter is likely to be admitted to several schools if not all, but are any of them worth it? Especially when a good $75,000 alternative definitely exists? (the in-state public university)
I fully recognize it’s a personal decision on which no clear answers are available. I don’t even know how to evaluate spending $300,000 vs. $75,000. The pricey elite colleges have much to offer, but so too does the public university.