Don’t got to a school that is a financial stretch when you have several outstanding options that are more “accessible” financially.
I have several cousins that went to Tulane and loved it. Can’t speak to Fordham. I can, of course, speak to Maryland. I think if you lived OOS, you would see Maryland as a no-brainer (especially for proximity to DC as a political science major!!!) However, it is a natural response of students to discount their own state flagship, if for no other reason than to get out of Dodge.
I am OOS and went to Maryland as did my son, and both of us loved our time at Maryland. Absolutely no regrets.
If you need specific things for a comparative checklist, check out this thread http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/university-maryland-college-park/1743639-things-to-love-about-maryland-p1.html