<p>I'm surprised that nobody has brought up what seems to be the bottom line for people in your income bracket (and mine), especially those with 3 kids: unless you've saved like crazy, you probably can't afford to send one to a school that costs 40 thousand.</p>
<p>Of course there are exceptions such as a kid qualifying for a lot of merit money, but in general those making one hundred thousand more or less who live in high COL places do not end up with retirement savings if they pay for pricy colleges. </p>
<p>If your son is not aiming at schools like iviews, expect to be gapped and for you both to take large loans. And even ivies are unaffordable for most in your income range whichis why they all have such a low percentage of middle class students.</p>
<p>Am I correct that DC residents get in state tuition anywhere? I think you probably want to look at state schools as financial safeties.</p>