OP- I do think there are regional differences and so perhaps that’s what you are picking up on. I have colleagues in the Southwest for example, and for kids who are interested in going out of state, it’s Stanford, U Chicago, etc. If the kid can’t into one of those- it’s either the flagship or another state U. Nothing wrong with that- but their guidance counselors aren’t tuned into “If you love foreign languages you should take a look at Middlebury” or “Kenyon and Sarah Lawrence may have the creative writing program you are looking for”.
But here in the Northeast- I’d describe the “luster” as quite bright.