@ormdad Sounds like your D and her friends went to the schools where they perceived they got the most value for the money. Sounds like the UPENN friend is going to UPENN for close to what NEU offered, your D was full pay at both schools, and the W&M friend probably ended up paying the same for that school as NEU would have cost even with $25K-30K merit from NEU (W&M being at least 10K cheaper, and you mentioned she got some aid). The UMASS friend got no money for NEU but got instate at UMASS - a better value for her money too.
Are there some families that can’t (won’t) full pay for Ivy and would take a large offer to an exclusive Scholars program or large scholarship from NEU, if they perceive NEU to be in line with other likes/wants of the student (big city, coop, etc…)? I’m sure there are. Some will stretch and make an Ivy work, if they feel its the best value for their money.
Its nice to have options, and this is all as it should be.