Harvard is need-based, although they are generous and even six-figure incomes can get some aid. However, if you ran the NPT (Net Price Calculator), it is probably accurate. Generally upper middle class students must rely on merit aid colleges. However, run the NPC for every college that interests you, as you will find yourself surprised by wildly different numbers. Also, yes, if you are planning to go to graduate school, you must consider keeping undergrad costs and debt as low as possible.