Since you are in the Chicago area… a small LAC in the SW Chicago suburbs is North Central College in Naperville, accessible to the city center on the train. (Disclaimer: my husband taught there for a couple of years, 18 years ago.) At the time, nice kids, small classes, get to know your profs, etc. I wouldn’t say Naperville is liberal, but a cute “town” (if anything in Chicagoland could be cute.) Don’t know if students would be liberal/hipsterish at this time…or anything about its merit aid…just a suggestion to check out. Anyone know about it now?