Santa Clara
Scripps - as part of the larger Claremont Consortium
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The University of Florida and the University of Georgia fit this range. It’s a new world.
Would she consider a women’s college?
Scripps is the one, IMO, that hits virtually all of your parameters. Even though it is small, it effectively functions like a subdivision of a mid-sized university, as there are around 7K undergrads in the Claremont Consortium, with all campuses in an immediately-adjacent, walkable patchwork of different architectural styles. Students seamlessly cross-register on a shared portal for classes throughout the consortium, and participate in shared EC’s and athletic teams. (The shared student newspaper is particularly good, and a great social incubator as well.) Plenty of guys around, both in classes (all classes will be mixed-gender except for the three semesters of Scripps Core humanities) and out. They get so much sun that even a SAD sufferer may begin to hope for clouds, lol. No Greek life, but a lively party scene for those who want it (most parties on the other campuses, meaning one can enjoy but walk home to relative peace and quiet). “Wide liberal arts” is exactly what they’re good at, with strength in both humanities and sciences, and dual majors more-or-less the norm.
Other women’s colleges hit many of your criteria as well. Smith is particularly strong in STEM (as well as humanities/social sciences); but there’s more separation of the consortium schools there so it may feel smaller than your ideal. Same with Mount Holyoke (which has many of the same attributes but a bit less STEM focus). Barnard fits in every way but the acceptance rate, which only tops 20% if you apply ED. Bryn Mawr and Haverford have a combined population of around 3200 (80% female altogether) - the other consortium schools (Swarthmore and UPenn) are much more separate. (And lastly Wellesley - acceptance rate is in the teens and population is around 2500, but deserves a mention for academic strength, plus cross-registration at MIT and other area schools.)
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I wonder if going to a LAC in an urban area with lots to explore would compensate for the smaller size of the school. If that’s a compromise she’s willing to entertain, someplace like Macalester might fit the bill (except for overcast days). Colorado College is also smaller but in a small city and has a lot of sunlight and (my read) would rate higher on the intellectual curiosity vs pre-professional scale.
American University comes to mind (size/selectivity/location) but I’m not sure it would be a good cultural fit from what you’re describing.
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I thought of Lehigh too but the list of most popular majors looks very STEM/pre-professional (and they are reputed to have a big frat scene). ETA honestly this is probably true for Villanova too.
For some reason Brandeis, BC, and Rochester (in addition to William & Mary) feel like the best blend of the cultural environment you’re describing + size and vibrant location.
What is your likely/safety school strategy? She should be competitive for most of the UCs + places like Madison, right?
All As - but how is her rigor?
Have you visited any schools? Some kids have an idea on paper and because of name but when they visit, their idea changes because they’re seeing size and scope, etc. And admission rate isn’t really a barometer (IMHO) of quality.
And there’s likely kids like your daughter at most every flagship in the country. I see someone mentioned UGA and UF.
That said with greater than 4K and near urban and not in the NW - you’ve seen many names already.
USC could work as a name not mentioned. Pitt is solid in most disciplines.
And there are many Jesuit/Catholic schools that could work - from a Fordham, SCU, Fairfield, Creighton, Loyola Maryland…the list goes on an on.
I would take her to explore schools by home if you haven’t - have her see a large public, mid size (even if jesuit), a small school or LAC.
Saying she’s attracted to 3 of the hugest names and wants a lesser admit rate (but still small) and near a city isn’t …in my opinion…necessarily a well thought out strategy. I say this assuming the strategy has been based on prestige and selectivity and without truly exploring.
Many kids (mine included) had an idea of the ideal college and then realized after visiting that it wasn’t the ideal…some even after acceptance…which is why I mention this.
Please correct me if I’m wrong.
Thanks
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If you’re not already considering it, look into the College of Creative Studies at UCSB. UCSB overall has a just-under-30% acceptance rate; CCS has its own application process in addition, with a 21% acceptance rate. It is a bit like a small LAC within the university, with a “grad school for undergrads” feel. CCS students have access to double-majors outside of CCS; but there are also CCS majors in all of her areas of interest except for History: Majors | UCSB College of Creative Studies
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Macalester was my Brown-loving kid’s target.
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Lot of good suggestions here between Case, WUStL, Wake, Richmond, Lehigh, etc. definitely Lehigh > Bucknell or Colgate as it is larger and less remote (and that’s coming from a Bucknell grad…)
I’m guessing UVa is below 20% for OOS
What about UMd? Very selective and becoming more so every day. Has everything. Close to DC jobs internships?
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San Diego State and maybe University of San Diego (which has a higher than 30% admit rate). Santa Clara University (unless that is too close to home), and Loyola Marymount. I don’t know about the journalism programs at any of the schools except San Diego State (I graduated with a major in telecommunication and film) but the journalism program is well regarded there and it was challenging (at least when I was there in the late 90s).
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Whats your budget?
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Chapel Hill (more selective than 20% OOS), U Florida, SMU, TCU, most UCs.
See post #10 regarding UNC admission rate.
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Others have provided some excellent options. In general it might be hard to cover everything in a single school.
University of Rochester is great except for the weather. Same for Case Western though it is definitely a fit school.
Villanova, William and Mary, and Wake Forrest were the first schools that popped into my mind for the right level of selectivity along with other factors.
The Patriot League schools are good for size and selectivity but maybe a bit isolated. Lehigh, Bucknell, Colgate, Lafayette all in the game here.
SUNY Binghamton could for the bill. A bit larger and a bit less selective but a really great school and would be very affordable.
There are more but contrary to most folks belief the vast majority of schools have acceptance rates above 30% and still provide an outstanding education. There is really less difference within the T50 than most people believe. You D will have great options.
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I’d have a look at the Egghead Eight, although some are more selective than you want for a true target.
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W&M, as an example, is not near an urban center but it does fit everything else - and in theory it’s within ‘reach’ of both Richmond and Norfolk - and it’s in a growth and high price area.
A College of Charleston would work for OP - except the acceptance rate is very high and stats that would match that acceptance rate.
But they have the Charleston Fellows and International Scholar programs - which attract very strong students. My daughter’s BFF turned down Rice, Vandy and Penn. My daughter had good admits - but not that good 
but there is a lot of extra academic nourishment opportunities - on campus with meetings with dignitaries/ambassadors, mentoring, and then off if you choose - my daughter just attended the DC Semester and interned at a very well known think tank.
There’s so many opportunities out there and at so many campuses that you have to dig to find…but OP really has to prioritize to get a true list and hope they explore (if they haven’t already).
But I totally understand a student like yours reaching very high as well.
And in that realm, Vandy sounds like it should be a school of interest too - especially given you are unsure about Greek life…but is strong in the areas of interest academically.
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While this could work, the OP was clear they were looking for colleges with 20%-30%.
@BayAreaProud are you interested in hearing about colleges with much higher acceptance rates? If so, let us know! If not, we can stick to the criteria you posted.
In your range, how about Vassar, Skidmore, Sarah Lawrence, Connecticut College?
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Not to quibble but…in the spirit of your suggestion that we focus on OP request, Sarah Lawrence has a higher acceptance rate and smaller student body than what she was describing.
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You missed the point. I was noting some mentioned don’t meet all the criteria (W&M as an example) but was also providing an example (that I know of) that meets in a different way but letting OP know many schools have ‘programs’ that may stand out behind the overall perception of a university.
The OP, in their match / safety view, may need to make some trade offs - is my point - whether size, selectivity/prestige , or environment. I don’t know their priorities.
Similar to you just mentioned schools with a much smaller population size than OP mentioned. And Skidmore and Connecticut College without access to an urban environment and Vassar a ways way (like W&M). Fine schools but alternative in many ways to OP’s request.
OP - one last thought and a true safety but it would hit your points - again minus selectivity - but strong in the social sciences especially - U of Denver.
Good luck.
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Simply as an alternative perspective, this professor, who has experience at Stanford, as well as at several liberal arts colleges, found the students at Stanford to be “intelligent,” but not generally intellectually engaged: https://www.hamilton.edu/news/story/faculty-jason-cieply-russian-studies.