I don’t think UNC will come in under 60.
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The 2024-2025 cost is listed at $60,040. Close enough. 
Costs - Office of Scholarships and Student Aid
That’s not bad, but it will go up each year.
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Did not read this thread in-depth, so sorry if these are repeat suggestions, but my Physics/Comp Sci with Art/Music Theatre kid w/ high stats had Rice and USC on her list (which also included a few others on yours - Santa Clara, Wash U).
Both offer merit scholarships, though like Duke & Wash U they are hard to come by.
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Wouldn’t Madison have a sunny day issue?
I haven’t researched it but…
given physics and theater, I don’t see how Madison would win straight up - but alas, its cost will be much higher. Is it looking at Madison vs. Arizona without looking at the programs specifically? Honestly, they are both well respected flagships but I get the entire US News thing and people put Madison on a pedestal.
We’ll see what U of A does but I don’t think it will be hugely impactful to a student like yours. Physics is a golden goose for them and they are one of the tops in the country - they’re not going to hurt that program and they’ll still discount.
It’s in the city, it’s liberal (the city)…I’ve thought U of A was what your daughter sought from day one…
but will see how yoru journey goes a year from now…and after she goes on her trips.
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Yes. It’s nothing like Pittsburg, Cleveland, or Seattle, but it for sure is no Tuscon or San Diego. The schools on our list with the least sunny days are Lawrence University, University of Wisconsin, Lafayette College, St. Olaf, Macalaster, Clark University and NEU
From a pure ranking standpoint, UW beats out UofA on both fronts, but there are obviously a lot of other factors that matter.
Yeah, that is what I am hoping. I am worried though that even if it doesn’t impact her personal discount, it might create a general vibe of unease on campus and among faculty.
Not a fan of rank - but for example, in College Factual, AZ is 4, Wisconsin 12. Neither matters.
I see Zona on other lists.
Arizona sends more to PHDs although I’m not sure the per capita.
I’m not sure I’d say Wisconsin is higher ranked but of course it depends on the rank - as does everything.
I’ll say this - until the last few weeks, I never knew sunlight was a health issue for kids. I know some like better weather - but the sunlight thing is a new one to me.
Do you have any thoughts about Butler University? It just popped into my radar but looks somewhat promising.
For undergraduate physics specifically, college factual has UWisc at 6 and UofA at 11. Both definitely top dogs. 2024 Best Physics Schools
I love that PhD feeder list. Both are good in sheer number, but not so much once adjusted for size of college (a more fair adjustment would be the size of the declared majors). But Lawrence punches way above its weight class in the adjusted ranking. That little school impresses me.
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Yes. And so would the entire upper Midwest.
This is based on experience – I personally didn’t mind or really notice the lack of sun during my years in Madison, but a friend of mine from Utah (who was used to more sun) complained about it. And because of the northern locale, winter nights are longer.
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But where are the students doing the PhD.
You are like me - paralysis by analysis although you are down to 20 schools. We were at 109 and yes, it got lower - after some visits.
Yes, both AZ and Wis are great as are many more.
Butler - great basketball history.
Academically, I’ll hypothesize it’s a mid size regional - i.e not a huge name but I think all these schools can be fine for your daughter.
Of course, physics has various areas and you might want to ensure the departments are large enough to meet the breadth she needs.
Right or wrong, I think of a Butler, similar to a Bradley, Drake…sort of a Quinnipiac of the MW or even an Elon although it’s seemingly developing a bigger national prsence.
Solid school. Near downtown Indy but a tad away…nice city…
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I’ve lived in a lot of states, including Colorado, Wis and Minn. Colorado is sunnier but Wis and MInn are fine. As someone pointed out, it does get dark at 4 in the winter, but it can be very sunny from 9-3.
Appleton is a lovely place where people spend a lot of time outside, even in the winter. It’s not that far from Milwaukee or Madison. The community and college do bring in a lot of performing arts events, and of course the biggest cultural attraction is the Green Bay Packers. I went on a hs field trip to Lawrence and it had something to do with Orchestra (don’t remember exactly what) but it was beautiful.
As someone above said, you can visit Madison, Lawrence and the Minnesota schools in one trip (drive across central Wis, not Northern! which is a lot farther from a major city and a lot colder). From Utah, I’d fly to Milwaukee, hit Appleton, go to Madison and then take the interstate to Minn.
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I went to college at a midwestern flagship, and people there had a high opinion of Butler. In terms of what percentage of students end up going on to earn a doctorate in something, Butler is no slouch. It does have students who go on to earn a PhD in physics, but it’s not as hard-hitting in that area as a school like Lawrence or St. Olaf. But I think it’s an academically good school, mid-sized, and particularly well-reputed in music, ballet, and business, but I think that it’s considered an overall good school. Basketball is definitely big.
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Watch the Netflix documentary Dogs, and one of the chapters is about the Butler Bulldog. You will fall in love with him and your college search might be over.
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If the bulldog sniffs out merit scholarships like a truffle-hunting pig, I will definitely be swayed. 
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If you are considering UCs, why not UCLA? They have a marvelous physics department with great advisors and research opportunities. It’s also not very large and professors are very good.
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My D23 nearly went to Butler. She had a 3.7ish gpa so not as good as your child and total cost was 37K according to my spreadsheet.
Very strong ballet program, seemed like nice kids, beautiful campus in a lovely part of Indianapolis.
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I can’t speak to Theater or Physics, but my DC with similar stats are also trying to end up under $60K (current application cycle). Based on their results and friends’ results, I think it will be a challenge to get there at Santa Clara and Macalester. Many on the SCU results thread are surprised by the stingy merit offers.
Boulder results aren’t in yet, but list price is just over 60K and my understanding is that OOS merit is unlikely to be huge. My DC didn’t apply to the UCs (California) as they wouldn’t get merit and they can stay in state for an overcrowded, impacted major experience. 
If you visit Boulder, you might want to look at University of Denver. They were generous with merit this cycle.
I think you have some good choices on your list, but I also think you are being a little optimistic with merit awards. A year ago, I was definitely a little fuzzier with the cost and thought oh - around 60ish or so is fine… As it becomes more real, it definitely starts to sink in how much this really is.
If your DD is happy with Utah or Arizona, then you can definitely shoot for the moon with the other apps. But one last thing to remember - no matter how much they say they know what the budget is, or they understand the odds at some schools - it still hurts to get rejections, and it hurts to get into a reach to learn that no really, we can’t afford it. Good luck!
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For anyone still following along: the University of Arizona, in addition to its general financial woes, also is in a period of upheaval/remodeling in its entire theater program. All BFA programs are on hold, musical theater BFA is being canceled going forward.
I am hoping there is still a BA and some musical theater classes/productions, but things are looking very up in the air. Some info here: Envisioning the Future of the School of Theatre, Film & Television – School of Theatre, Film & Television
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But this, I believe is unrelated to the budget issues - they are looking to optimize the resources they have - I suppose to not be all things to all people?
Hopefully they’ll still have offerings that meet your student’s needs - or I guess come off the list.
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