Not many low income students get into the few colleges that meet need, so the middle to upper middle income families don’t have much to fear from the poor. Families who earn too much for aid at top schools can still generally find a residential college experience if they’re willing to broaden the net. The schools aren’t assuming the students are paying for college on their own. They expect the parents to pay. That’s why it’s called “expected family contribution,” not expected student contribution.
Did you run the Net Price Calculator for each school you’re interested in? If the financial aid package is way off what the calculators suggest your net would be contact the schools to ask why.