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As I wrote above, College Abacus (which does output net price calculations) is convenient because it allows comparisons of multiple colleges from a single set of inputs. I’m interested in general patterns in the net pricing of different kinds of schools nationwide. The OP represents a fairly common CC scenario: a good student from a middle/upper-middle income family looking for a selective college with a net price under $N ($20K in this case). What kinds of schools compare in net pricing to in-state public universities (which often establish the baseline price to beat)? </p>
<p>The OP asked, “what LAC might you recommend for this student given his stats and willingness to look at other parts of the country?” If $20K is the upper limit, and if UCR sets the baseline for price and quality, I recommend looking at the less selective schools that claim to meet full need (<a href=“http://www.usnews.com/education/best-colleges/paying-for-college/articles/2013/09/18/colleges-that-claim-to-meet-full-financial-need-2014”>http://www.usnews.com/education/best-colleges/paying-for-college/articles/2013/09/18/colleges-that-claim-to-meet-full-financial-need-2014</a>). In some states, some of these schools will cost less than the state flagship for a family making ~$90K. In California, they may not quite beat UC prices. Nevertheless, if the benefits of a LAC appeal to you, the “full need” LACs seem to be close enough in price to the UCs to be worth considering. </p>
<p>If you want to consider another category of colleges likely to fall below $20K (besides the UCs or full-need private schools), then you also could consider merit scholarship opportunities. However, to have a good shot at enough merit from a private or OOS public school to to bring the price under $20K, you’d have to consider less selective schools than the UCs or full-need private schools. The net price wouldn’t necessarily be much lower, given the OP’s stats. </p>