@frencht0ast You are making the right decision. You will be with peers at Duke.
OP, since you say your parents are middle class, I can only tell you how low H and my stress is to have a school that is giving an excellent education at a relatively low cost due to merit. H is 5 years from retirement, and retirement investments are secure.
You never know with family circumstances over the next four years if the money spent for Duke could be applied to something needed for the family.
As you know, you would be turning away excellent opportunities at UA which is offering you a very low cost education. ABET accreditation is the standard.
You can see what my DD’s experience is at UA to read my recent post on another thread.
I do have a cousin’s DD who went to Wake Forest on half scholarship and then onto Duke for law school. Her parents helped as they could, and this was years ago when the cost was not as high as it is now. She took out loans. I worked for a physician whose son went to Duke (studying sociology but actually getting into political media).
Our family values education (I have two graduate degrees) but also cost/benefit.There is a reason you are feeling a bit guilty. Of course your parents want to have you be successful, and only you can decide what it will take for you to be happy at a school. I do understand if there are things that would interfere with your academics at various schools, but take a very hard look before you make this very significant decision.
You will have more peers at a diverse flagship (with a very strong honors college) than at a private like Duke.