NPC is Net Price Calculator. Each college is required to have one on their website (or on a link), so that you can get an estimate of what you would pay per year. Some colleges stress merit aid, while others stress need-based aid, and other colleges offer very little of either type of aid. In PA, there are many private colleges that would offer you a 50% off of tuition merit scholarship for your scores. However, that could still mean $25K a year for a mid-priced private college, after you include housing and food costs, before using loans.
Every person should check into the availability of college grants from their state. Some states will offer substantial merit or need-based grants per year, but many states will only let the money be used at in-state public or private colleges. Some state grants may be limited to in-state public colleges. You want some idea of your eligibility, because these grants may cause one choice to be much cheaper than another choice, without it being readily apparent. My daughter mainly applied to in-state colleges for this reason (however, she only got the state grants while her brother was also in college).