<p>$22K is a decent amount of money. </p>
<p>I would focus on getting the education you want, not the ranking of the school. </p>
<p>There are still good options. </p>
<p>Apply to University of Minnesota-Morris for Spring Term (You may still be admitted for Fall Term if they have room). Then do Freshman year there and you can transfer to University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, where I think admissions is automatic. That is a large research university where someone of your caliber will find sufficient challenge. It will also have the “college” experience that you desire. </p>
<p>If you don’t want to waste time, you can probably still get in to Truman State College, the public LAC honors college in Missouri, for Fall 2011. Then you can do the transfer to Minnesota, but it’s not automatic. I recommend this route because you can afford these schools and they will challenge you. </p>
<p>It’s also very close to what you can afford in terms of sticker price. It wouldn’t take much to get you over the hump.</p>