You should only apply ED if either you are fine being full pay, or the NPC shows the school as being affordable. If one school is likely to cost $90,000/year, and if you cannot afford it, then just do not apply there ED.
There are quite a few of us who have academically very strong children, who make too much to qualify for need based financial aid, but who just cannot afford to pay for a school that costs $90,000/year or more. Generally our kids just go somewhere else (and in our experience and many family’s experience do very well).
We did not apply ED anywhere due to some combination of preferring a school where merit aid would be needed for affordability, applying to schools that do not have ED, and not being sure what the number 1 choice was. It worked out well anyway. This is normal.