H and I value our children’s education - so they needed a really good foundation. MS builds on Elementary, HS builds on MS.
All was private, except DD2 attended 7-8-9 public school which gave her the best education for that period. We are in a school district that both HSs are in top 10 for our state, but my DDs got the best education for them at the school we had them attend.
Some students do have a difficult time transitioning from HS to college/university. Mine did not. H and I did not. I am first generation and the first to complete college from my nuclear family (even though 3rd child - older siblings started when I did), and completed double major on time, eight semesters with honors.
I have seen some parents who didn’t seem to pay much attention (or resources) to their kids through HS, but then had an open wallet for their student going to a high priced school so they would ‘succeed’ (whatever their definition of that is…).
You mention you are attending a prestigious school, so I imagine your parents have a mind set somewhat like mine as far as gaining a good foundation (and they perhaps have the resources to do a lot more for you).
I know quite a lot about higher ed (two graduate business degrees in two different states from home state with UG degree), and our family has limited financial resources w/o making sacrifices. We have not attended ‘elite’ universities, but are very well educated. My nephew, who is the most academically talented of our family as far as his aptitude and higher ed fulfillment - is continuing his education in law after teaching tenure track (has PhD, dissertation is a book published both hardcover and paperback due to university demand in the field, was a Rhodes finalist, published in his field, etc etc). He is #2 in his law class and a large NY firm courted him for an internship next summer which he accepted - he turned down two other solid opportunities including a Chicago firm. He did attend a well ranked private college for UG in his home state with half scholarship (he tipped his hand too much about wanting to attend there, and he was more successful there than students with a larger scholarship) - he said reading and writing were what he learned to do well as an UG (he had a triple major and was summa cum laud) - he worked hard but was also in a very good learning env’t for him. His parents value education, and both parents are well educated.
Older DD will graduate in the spring, on time, at one in-state University. The other is attending flagship in-state University. Both had scholarships and both will be graduating debt free. Neither is studying business for UG, although DD2 is in STEM MBA program so is completing some coursework as UG on a MBA track.
I hope this give you some insight in answering your question.
Our family values education, but looks at it with cost/benefit. We also don’t like education debt. Nephew has full academic scholarship in law school and has not debt. Your parents may be able to fund out of pocket whatever school you can gain admittance to, but they may be looking at cost/benefit - or have you seek out a more prestigious program for graduate degree.
DD1 will most likely attend a graduate program, but is going to work in her field first - she has several programs she is considering. DD2 plans to finish a graduate degree.