I understand that you really just wanted a forecast of your chances at these schools, and instead you’re getting a lot of commentary that you didn’t ask for.
Sometimes that can be a problem on CC, but in this case it’s very understandable why it’s happening. Commenters are trying to understand the context, and we’re not getting it.
The financial aspect sounds particularly daunting, so of course that’s coming up first. But the larger question is why transfer, and why now? You say this is your fifth semester, so you’re already a junior and it’s late in the game to be transferring. You want to go outside of NC, which means you’re not staying within a university system that can be counted upon to transfer your credits seamlessly. It seems rushed and messy to be trying to transfer in the spring. Have you already applied to transfer earlier, and waited to try again because you didn’t get the results you wanted? Were you planning to stay at your current school until now, but then something happened that made you want to leave? Help us to understand the real problem.
If, as your post implies, the driving issues are truly 1) availability of programming/coursework in your area of interest and 2) “connections”… there may be other solutions. Could you perhaps find a study abroad program that’s strong in your interests, and spend senior fall there? I would’ve recommended junior spring but it’s far too late to get that ball rolling. But if you really need a break from where you are, you could take spring semester off, and then spend a semester or even a full year abroad, and just come back for one semester to graduate.
The “connections” issue implies that you just want to “trade up” reputationally, but I fear that’s going to be difficult because of the math grades, when your area of focus is such a quantitative/computational field. You might have better luck by distinguishing yourself in the next few semesters and then applying to grad programs.
Of course, you’ve already applied to these schools, and maybe you’ll get in… and then it will come back to the affordability question. You’ve asked not to be badgered about this, and that’s your prerogative, but please, especially in these uncertain times in terms of economy and employment, think very carefully before taking on significant debt.