First, I agree with the several posts concerning students at schools like Colorado School of Mines.
The sticker price at a private school is just a starting point for negotiation.
Large state schools can deliver their product at low cost in large part because of large class size. If you are a self-disciplined person, they can be a real bargain.
In the old days, colleges weeded out those who weren’t motivated. Nowadays, they tolerate the not-motivated and open themselves up to a disruptive, ideologically-driven element. They also tolerate under-achievers among minorities and such, which only leads to frustration and then criticism of objective standards. These two groups of students simply aren’t worth it and, more so, ruin college for others.
Large state schools generally have lower tuition for in-state students.
But the private/Ivys all seem to be around the same cost.
I’m currently covering two college kids. One is attending a private “best”, the other isn’t (not top ranked). The other is ironically costing me more. I can’t wait for this to end... lol