Some colleges are not “worth the price”, and some are (or may be.) I think it makes total sense to encourage D20 to find he best deal AS LONG AS SHE LIKES THE SCHOOL. Many kids who’s parents are paying full price (and loans) to middling private schools regret it later. The cost situation is such now that a top school costs almost the same price as many schools much lower on the tottom poll. This is more of an issue for students with lower high school stats that may get an admissions bump being full pay at a good school, bur little merit at a lower quality school.