<p>If he wants to avoid debt, he should pick a school where his ACT places him above the Top 25% mark (typically, within the top 10%) as this is likely to generate merit for him. Then, within all possible universities, he’d have to find his “fit” - universities can be very different in atmosphere (is music important not just to the music students, but to the campus? Are sports important and which ones? How prevalent is drinking and what does the college organize for the non drinkers? etc.)
Food can be very important, especially for kids who are vegetarian, can’t eat certain foods, or simply want to eat healthy (not all cafeterias offer food above fastfood level and “teach by practicing” good nutrition/good taste). It’s definitely a “fit” question to be discussed once acceptances are in.</p>