I’m thirding Drew for you, as I think it could be a really good fit for you. Another east coast option, but not as close to a big city, that you may want to consider is Muhlenberg.
A reachier option might be Brandeis (MA).
Have you thought about Oberlin? It’s not in a big city, but it’s not far from Cleveland. Strong liberal arts and an actively welcoming community for the LGBTQ+ community.
I know your preference is for the east coast, but the midwest has some really terrific options that will are likelier to get you closer to your price point. I’m thinking of:
- Kalamazoo (MI)
- College of Wooster (OH)
- Lawrence (WI)
- Beloit (WI)
Another school I’d take a good look at is Marquette (WI). It’s more of a mid-sized school than a small one (though definitely smaller than BU and Fordham). It’s in Milwaukee, so definitely a city. From a cursory glance at this Jesuit institution (as Fordham is also Jesuit) appears to be actively trying to be a safe and welcoming space for trans students.