I think most of these schools will be over $50k since you’re OOS. You might qualify for a few scholarships at South Carolina or UT but they get more competitive each year and it’s still expensive compared to in-state. Look on their websites. Run the NPC’s for the schools.
Florida and UGA would be academic and financial reaches. Syracuse and VT will not be affordable.
Data point of 1: my D25 had a higher SAT but similar GPA and got a scholarship from South Carolina which took the COA down to just under 39k, so that app may be worth a shot.
Assuming she meets all the academic requirements, I think:
U of SC is likely - and will be under $50K with merit.
UTK is likely - and is a tad under $50K full pay and there should be merit.
UGA - toss up to no - and is under $50K
UF - toss up but leaning no - is under $50K.
UMD - likely - and hits cost
Va Tech - no reason to bother - direct costs are over $50K and you’re not getting merit
Syracuse - better to do is SUNY ESF - which will hit budget and you get SU thrown in. SU unlikely to hit. SU is adjacent and ESF shares the facilities, etc.
The school you’re missing is Alabama. Why do I say this - if you’re looking at UGA or UF, it’s the same - but with easier admission standards and substantial merit. For your student, direct costs (tuition, room and board) is under $27K - and they give many kids the next level up (you’re at $24K off right now).
WVU was another good suggestion. And if she likes U of SC, then I’d recommend FSU - an admit at the level of UGA so not easy - but full price is under budget - and it’s more likely than UF.
If you’re ok with smaller, UT Chattanooga would be a good choice for the major
If she’s think about joining a sorority add-in some more expenses. Some can get costly.
FSU might be a possibility. Their OOS acceptance rate is around 20% and her stats would probably be in the mid-range. She wouldn’t get the OOS tuition waiver but could do study abroad first year and get in-state the next 3 years.
NC State could also be a possibility. It would be close on costs.
The State schools in North Carolina have the lowest out of state costs. Which is why Chapel Hill is single-digit OOS acceptance rate. NC State strong in the sciences. And ACC sports. UNC Wilmington is not rah-rah (no football), but their focus is bio/environmental.
The other big rah-rah in that region which is attainable is Clemson.
If you are headed up into mountains for WVU, then Penn State may also be an option. Or UPitt.
I think less than $50K eliminates UNC, basically eliminates NC State and definitely eliminates Clemson and Penn State and likely Pitt. Once can hope for merit at PItt but…