If you were my kid (or someone I was advising) I’d be encouraging/cajoling you into finding something to love- ONE THING- about each of these non-Purdue options. You can do this.
If the acceptances and money comes in according to “Best case” than you can laugh about the crazy strangers on the internet who told you that might end up at IU/Ball State because they were the only affordable options. And we’ll laugh with you, and be SO happy for you.
But if the acceptances come in- and the money doesn’t align properly- then what? A gap year won’t help you (much). Yes, if you can live at home and work and save like crazy you can put a small dent into the money you need vs. what you have. But that “small dent” needs to cover FOUR YEARS of a shortfall, and unless you have some crazy and in-demand skill that’s not likely to happen. Live at home, commute to a CC? That’s a fine plan- if it works for you.
But finding one thing to love about an affordable option shouldn’t be too hard to do at this stage of the game. Even if it’s the mesclun on the salad bar, or the midnight run the night before finals or some other kooky tradition- find something to love, get an application in to the most affordable of these options, and then you can go back to your other applications.