<p>Michigan sounds like it has a lot to offer - more than Cal for someone interested in performance and marching band (and who doesn’t mind cold winters). UCLA, which also has a marching band and has a BA in music performance, might be a closer call for someone with the interests of this student.
The financial pros and cons really depend on the combination of your income level and the availability of merit and need-based aid, so it is hard to generalize. No UC’s offer need-based aid that is as good as Harvard’s (which can apply to people with incomes up to $180,000 per year) or some LAC’s, which don’t include loans as part of their packages. On the other hand, someone in a higher income bracket will get no aid at Harvard (which does not offer merit awards) or at most LAC’s (Oberlin is an exception). At the UC’s merit aid is also quite variable. At Cal, merit aid is almost non-existent - Regent’s and Alumni scholarships are merit based, but small, whereas at UCLA and UCSB, a Regent’s scholarship is a substantial reduction in tuition and the music department at UCSB also has some funds for merit scholarships, at least for those in the BMus. program, regardless of need.</p>
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<p>University of Connecticut has a great marching band/pep band program.</p>
<p>The OP said her D wanted to go away from California…this is certainly far away!</p>
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