Excellent marketing, combined with the endless published “rankings” has fooled many into thinking they “have” to go to certain highly ranked programs in order to be successful at their chosen careers. With the exception of the Wall Street feeder programs, this is mostly untrue - especially for programs like accounting, where everyone has to pass the same tests in the end.
I know successful accountants (recent grads) from schools like the University of Tennessee, NC State, Appalachian State. All were in a 5-year program. I would not max out my savings or take on debilitating loans to go to a high tuition college for something like accounting. More important than a perceived prestige of a college is actual career placement, successful outcomes and alumni support in a given career field. I’m guessing you’ll find similar successful outcomes from all of the other, more affordable colleges that you listed.
Many parents place the responsibility on the college to turn out an employable grad, when it is actually on the student to manufacture their own success, no matter where they go. Unless their family name is on a building and they arrive by private jet, it’s unlikely that success is going to be handed to them on a platter as they sit back and bask in a college’s prestige.
My younger daughter did not go to a Wall Street feeder yet several students from her business school graduating class were recruited to Wall Street. These students made it happen for themselves despite the mindset that you can’t get there unless you go to the right college.
I suspect that Villanova may take itself off the table given the competitive nature of admittance making it a reach for your student, so you may not have to worry about making that decision in the end.