This may not be true: California only has need based aid (ok: Regents scholarships… but they generally knock something like $2,500 off 35-40k) and Pennsylvania has virtually no merit at its 2 flagships (nor any/much financial aid for middle class students).
@Boymama2four
Indiana+Honors, CoC should come within 25k.
How was the list constructed? What are key criteria and deal breakers?
Why Rutgers and not TCNJ - is it because Rutgers is your instate flagship or because TCNJ is known for being stingy with merit? If OOS, have you visited? The Honors College was revamped a few years ago to keep top students instate and it has become very difficult to get into, with scholarships harder to get.
Why UTampa? Grandparents in town, like the idea of sunshine…? Because it’s not really the type of college where a 4.0 student will be challenged - and merit could be had at Eckerd or perhaps through USF or FIU Honors, all of which would have a more academically challenging curriculum or at least more offerings. (I like UTampa, it’s great for kids who have a B-/B average in regular courses, it’s stimulating for them, especially if they’re preprofessional, larger than Flagler.)
Hendrix is more academic than uTampa and offers a flagship cost match.
for Vanderbilt if the NPC shows it’s affordable. It is, obviously, going to be a reach since it is a reach for everyone.