<p>^ The middle class HS students who frequent College Confidential aren’t necessarily representative of middle class HS students in general. Their chances for admission to the most selective schools may be higher. We shouldn’t be talking only about full scholarships, either. Adequate need-based aid at a fairly selective private school can turn it into a better value than crappy aid (or no aid) at an average public university.</p>
<p>It all depends on what state you’re in, your family’s financial situation, your qualifications (ECs as well as stats), intended major, et cetera. Public universities often are a good value, but sometimes they aren’t.</p>