<p>If the cost differential between Harvard/MIT/Stanford and your state schools exceeds $100,000 due to you being wealthy, then go to your state school (if your parents support this decision and don’t want to fork over the extra money for these private schools). Otherwise, if your parents are willing to pay (regardless of the cost differential) or you are upper middle class or below where Harvard and co. will be cheaper than your state school option or only induce a minor additional expense (20-30k more over 4 years), the choice is clear.</p>