<p>“Yes, USC is non-elite because it needs to offer financial incentives to attract top students. But that is also true of public schools like Michigan, UNC and UCLA which have built-in financial incentives, especially for their in-state students. Many of them would have chosen private alternatives if it were not for cost.”</p>
<p>What a silly statement. You’re saying that no public school could ever be considered elite because it offers a lower rate to it’s residents. Many of the tippy-top schools offer financial incentives for students to attend there as well. If not we’d have Harvard, for example, with ONLY rich kids attending and not necessarily the best students. I do agree with you that there are only a few truly elite schools in this country, which all happen to be private. They do however offer “discounts” to some of those who cannot afford to attend.</p>