<p>Check the Net Price Calculators at Top 25 national universities and top 25 LACs (minus any school that would be “too cold”, although be warned any Massachusetts, Connecticut, etc would seem very cold to a student from CA). Then check with your parents that these schools are affordable.
Check out Carleton and Grinnell for down-to-earth students, Hamilton for good-looking 
(and Hamilton also seeks out first-gen students).</p>