So you asked for a way to cut. Budget is often a way. You should have a # in mind and pick schools to meet the budget. But a statement like this tells me you don’t really have a budget.
What kind of plans are the parents making ? If it involves loans, just say no.
There is such a wide variety of colleges and different costs. You only need one but can go as high as you want. But if you are adding, adding schools to hit what your parents want to pay vs making plans to go over. After all, life is expensive and your parents have to live. Schools like Agnes Scott, Ogelthoroe are other LACs likely to hit budget. Ogelthorpe definitely will as they’ll match UNC tuition.
Look at this thread for more ideas. Go about 25 posts back for the most recent.