Based on your original post, top colleges that would be excellent for physics may not be particularly familiar to your family. As an indication of some of the stronger programs, students from these colleges have received Apker Awards (for undergraduate research in physics):
Williams
Swarthmore
Amherst
Hamilton
Haverford
Harvey Mudd
Colgate
Wesleyan
Reed
Macalester
Middlebury
Oberlin
Mt. Holyoke
Franklin & Marshall
Bucknell
From this group, these schools have had graduates who have won a Nobel Prize in a science field:
Swarthmore
Amherst
Hamilton
Haverford
Oberlin
Several of the listed schools are test optional; Most are collaborative; Nearly all offer excellent financial aid.