should people pay more for a better school?

I assume you mean U of MN? Assuming you live in WI or MN, that makes sense with in-state tuition/reciprocity.

@2manycollegequestions4me I think you should start a separate thread with that question. But generally, students from families with more money are more likely to go to a “higher tiered” undergrad school. I don’t believe the benefits of being raised in a higher socioeconomic household stop at college admission. I think students from higher income households may continue to benefit through their 20s — they may have stronger interviewing skills, a better sense of the unwritten codes like dress and conversation topics, family connections, parental advice on career paths, maybe some financial support in grad school that gives them more freedom to focus on school/research, etc. Not always — but money can give an edge that is more than financial.