The middle-class (and middle-ability) squeeze (“middle” meaning “middle and upper-middle” in both cases) is a real problem, though. Where can a kid who’s family makes $120K, can afford to pay $20K a year, lives in IL/PA, and has a 28 ACT afford to go? That test score is comfortably within PSU’s middle 50 percent range (also within UIUC’s 50 percent range, though entrance criteria there differs widely by major), but would this kid be able to (afford to) attend any flagship?