@Sweetgum, Maryville didn’t have that kind of street near it when I last saw it 30+years ago, but you never know what has happened to a community in the meantime. Since you asked about other LACs in your immediate region for good but not A+ students that might have financial aid and a CR program, I threw it out there.
What your D wants is worth looking for, and I think I understand generally what you mean (I love those Franklin Street vibes… my sister lives in Carrboro and I have lived in New Orleans and other artsy places so I get that) but honestly, your parameters make that combination hard to find. I’m also hoping for a LAC with a cute downtown for my D in another region but it’s not easy to find. Unless it’s in a city or an affluent area, a tourist area (like Gettysburg PA) or a small college near a big university it’s hard to find that kind of funky, arty college neighborhood with cute shops and cafes around a small LAC. there’s just not a critical mass of students/grad students/young adults sticking around these small college towns to make those businesses viable as you’d find in a place like Chapel Hill with a large university (and two more, plus Research Triangle Park nearby).
Asheville definately has that arty vibe, but the UNC-A is not in that immediate neighborhood, though not too far, either. Asheville may have gentrified a lot to the point that there may be more high-end galleries than student coffee shops these days. I wasn’t too impressed with the look of the campus, myself (buildings were kind of stark looking for my taste when I drove by once) but your D might like it.
Sounds like Appalachian State may be her best bet!
Would she go as far as Goucher in Baltimore? It might have the vibe/academics/fin aid you’re looking for too. Might also look into the University of Mary Washington in Fredericksburg, VA. Pretty, old campus, but the immediate neighborhood seemed residential on one side, and bordered by a commerical strip with big-box stores and chain eateries on the others. Maybe there’s a funky student street nearby in Fredericksburg that I just don’t know about.