Is it worth paying $340K for a top school vs. Alabama at free tuition and room? Personal choice .
Even at a large school, you have Honors Colleges and then at a school like Bama the Randall Research Scholars or the McCullough Medical Scholars for someone going pre-med. So many colleges have Honors Colleges.
But of course there is the option of a full pay public or private that’s more elite, a top school such as Vandy, WUSTL or Washington & Lee (Johnson Scholar) that have merit but it’s not easy, or a 2nd level private like a Macalester or similar that has regular merit.
You asked @ChancellorGH but for my kids both chose the right schools for them.
My son is in engineering at Bama. He got into Purdue with $10K merit which is unusual for their engineering program. He had a 34 ACT and 3.97/4.6 or so. He’s got great merit at Bama - but he chose the school. In addition to Purdue, he turned down UF, Maryland and other solid programs.
My daughter is at College of Charleston - 16th ranked of 17th acceptances. When we first visited the school, I knew it was where she’d end up. It was just right for her. She turned down W&L, UF, and others…she got great aid too through some endowed scholarships but most of it came after she accepted.
I did not allow ED because we are full pay and I didn’t want my kids to be bound. We did EA where it was available. ED was not for us - although there’s a handful of schools (I think NYU for one) that will allow you to opt out without penalty.
Good luck.