Another aspect : many (I egen saw a study that pointed to “most”) college professors’ kids enroll at elite LACs (or non elite, depending on the student).
The top 50-60 LAC list, including in the Midwest, has awesome possibilities for the academically serious student who wants a relatively low key or laid back atmosphere.
While the same kid who likes Vanderbilt’s relatively conservative atmosphere with influential Greek Life probably wouldn’t like the intellectual, quirky student body at Carleton, there’d be lots of top colleges to match both kids. Not all LACs are intellectual and quirky (think Washington and Lee, McKenna…), not all are laid back… But if you start reading the Fiske guide you’ll find plenty that meet your daughter’s profile.