I don’t think we should get too caught up in the “half-tuition” aspect of this student. The parents make enough money to pay full price and they’ve indicated they will pay full price for a college they deem worthy.
Basically this is a case where the choice will come down to a relatively low-cost in-state public flagship, or an expensive T30 university. Either way, it sounds like the parents can and will cover all COA. The parents in this case do not want to agree to a non-prestigious expensive college, and that’s what their “half cost” statement really means.