My daughter didn’t apply to either Tufts or AU, but she is admitted at Oxy, and if it were less expensive I think it would be her clear first choice. Good chance she ends up at a UC just because of the money, but I find myself really wishing there was less of a money gap between Oxy and the publics for us because I think there are some really unique and excellent things about the school. Some of it may come down to size for your child. Aren’t Tufts and AU quite a bit bigger?
Oxy’s universal capstone project (I forget what they call it) seems really great and rigorous, and there are some special programs that are unique, such as the chance to get course credit for working on a presidential/gubernatorial/congressional campaign. I feel like if Oxy were on the East Coast, more people would consider it a very strong LAC. There’s definitely a bit of an East Coast bias when it comes to that size of college. Of course, Tufts and AU are also fantastic schools! But I don’t think you’ll be engaging with lesser-qualified students at Oxy.