OP stated “If CMU gave us even just around 5k additional in grant annually, I would consider attending”. Still to suggest that OP and/or upper middle class family doesn’t understand affordability is over stretch.
Also to relate our own too bad GC experience or too good GC experience with OP’s GC is unfair as we don’t know the facts. about OP’s GC or school.
I am also not fond of debt by any means.