If the soccer player is being offered $50k/yr to play soccer, that is one fantastic soccer player. I think it is less likely this particular student wouldn’t be playing from day one as that’s a lot of money for one player. I’m guessing that’s a 2/3 scholarship, so that leaves some other players getting less than 1/3 (assuming the team is fully funded and carries a full squad).
I have known kids who went to top D1 level schools in other sports, and it seems their athletic awards really are a reflection on their skills and how much the coach expects them to contribute to the team. Some have stayed the entire 4 years, others have left after 2 years or an injury. Most coaches continue to give the same level of athletic support that they promised at the beginning, or increased it as promised.
You have to trust the coach. If you can’t, don’t go to that school. Yes, coaches do change but sometimes for the better.
As someone who hires computer science majors, I wouldn’t recommend spending the money on an Ivy for that major. The demand for CS majors is sky high and exceeds the supply. Your soccer player should have great employment prospects after attending a Patriot League college.
I’ve hired in CS also and my husband does so as well. For CS majors in my experience, it’s much more about the rigor of the program than the name of the school. Graduates from big public tech/engineering programs are favorites in hiring, definitely more so than prestige school.
If 50K is truly no big deal for you, than you can make that decision. If it will affect your lifestyle, your retirement savings, debt load for you or the student, possibly other kids, I would definitely take the full ride.
Without more information, the safe choice is to attend Lehigh or Lafayette on a full tuition scholarship.
The fact that you calculated your EFC suggests that the better course of action is to save the $200,000 for a graduate degree or for a down payment on a home or for some other use.
Again, just the fact that you calculated your EFC may be enough information.
Plus, for a CS major, there is no advantage in attending an Ivy league school.