@NerdyChica I know this is too late for OP’s decision, but this is something I see a lot.
THERE IS NO REASON FOR MOST FAMILIES TO COMPARE STICKER PRICES AT TOP-TIER COLLEGES. NONE.
It looks like @zzzmmm only compared each school’s full price tuition (a flawed metric in itself, since the room and board costs at uChicago are also higher) and saw Princeton’s $42k vs. uChicago’s $50k.
Both of these schools are no-loan schools that will match demonstrated financial need with grants, work-study, and scholarships. What they cost full price is irrelevant. The only number that matters is their financial aid offer to you. So please, before you consider cost in a decision like this, wait until you have an actual offer. Or, if you are deciding whether or not to apply, do some research about the individual school’s financial aid policy. Harvard brags about how it’s cheaper for 99% of Americans than going to a state school.