"“merit heavy options”
Then the west coast isn’t typically happy hunting grounds.
I doubt an ACT 34 would get merit from USC. USC gets too many apps with ACT 35/36 and SAT equivalents.
An ACT 34 is at the bottom of the upper quartile at USC. USC is a bit of a score-whore, so they really chase high stats.
$30k net cost? Then look elsewhere.
Schools like USF, LMU and USD will give merit, but very doubtful that net cost would be $30k. USD’s net cost after its largest merit seems to be about $35k-40k per year.
The Calif publics are lousy with merit, particularly with OOS students.
Whittier gives nice merit, but would she like it? It’s tiny and (if I remember correctly) lopsided gender.
What is her major and career goal?