I think it just boils down to the kid, the family, and what their goals are. My ex and I met at a top 20 LAC, so that’s our frame of reference. When thinking about my somewhat shy/socially anxious kid who doesn’t have a clue what he wants to do with his life bopping around in a sea of people, I worry he will get lost and be just as clueless at the end of 4 years as he is now. Further, he’s very much a class contributor, so imagining him in a 200 person lecture class - I think he would be miserable. We’re looking at a school where there’s’ a significant amount of “hand holding” for lack of a better term - guaranteed internships, lots of advising, career counseling, etc. This appeals to me, and I think it appeals to him also.
My daughter has a clearer idea of her future. She wants to be a veterinarian. She already seems to write concisely and clearly, and I’m anticipating her educational experience being more about actually learning facts that she will need to know and achieving grades as opposed to being an exploratory experience. She probably will enjoy big lectures where she can just disappear. And she might enjoy lecture classes where she can just disappear and learn. Undergrad for her just serves a different purpose.
Cost is certainly a consideration too, but not all state schools are affordable or offer the amount of need-based aid that private schools do. So, there may be families that will choose a public school for affordability, and others that will be forced to look in the private sphere for affordability. Some private schools also offer such substantial merit aid that they are cost competitive with public schools.