If the OP is from a middle class family, his chances of graduating in four years increases exponentially no matter where he attends. And, he’s not going to find the perfect blend of a city school with a bucolic setting. Outside of Columbia and NYU I can’t think of any NYC school that even attempts to house all its students. Here’s an idea: if he’s a city resident, he can visit LIU, Hunter and Brooklyn College in one afternoon. And maybe add Pratt and Wagner to the mix (though they’ll be a little complicated transportation wise.) He’ll definitely have a better idea which experience is worth the money.