<p>Duke is almost as prestigious as Stanford. If he's going to be a lawyer, then undergrad really doesn't matter. (If the cheapest one also happens to be the one with the most grade inflation, then you're in luck!)</p>
<p>OP-
IF your s gets the Robertson at Duke or similar at Vandy, and your s likes them and Stanford equally, then I'd take the $$, especially in these difficult financial times. Has your s been contacted for a scholarship interview yet? If he's in the running, that should be happening soon. THose are very prestigious scholarships, with great opportunities to meet great people and travel, etc, and the experiences gained will be invaluable. If your s wants to apply to an Ivy law school, the prestige of these very select scholarships and the recommendations he can get from faculty will be invaluable. Stanford iss, of cours, Stanford, and your s is to be congratulated. If you have the spare change to pay for it (even if Stanford offers say 5k/yr scholarship) and feel that strongly about Stanford, then certainly go for it. But to save 200K, have the opportunities of a Robertson Scholar or similar, is nothing to poo poo. Amongst the schools your son is likely to consider if he does go on to law school, all will obviously be familiar with all 3 schools. Please come back when you have further info about the scholarship opptys at Duke and Vandy and we can be of further help, but for now, don't count your chickens. Vandy will give your s an automatic 5K/yr for NMF (I am assumiong he will be one) so you can count on that.</p>