How to narrow down a college list?

Money is slightly an issue. I come from a white middle class family so probably won’t get much financial aid. However I am going to for rotc scholarships so if I get a scholarship, money won’t be as much of an issue. That’s kind of why I’m looking at expensive and inexpensive schools. If I don’t get a scholarship then I’ll just have to hope that loans, grants, and whatever financial aid I can get will get me through.