@bp0001 nailed the math above. And @Pheebers, speaking for myself, I wasn’t the least bit bothered and no apology is necessary. I was just trying to help clarify the evaluation. Sorry for getting a little off topic.
The title is looking for safeties, not matches or reaches. OP’s children have some specific requirements that make most schools not real safeties because they won’t happily go to the flagship, religious schools, schools that are too far away, too big, too small. They have to decide to take the risk of not having a ‘for sure, no question, auto admit’ type school to meet their requirements, or to have as a safety schools they may not really like. Taking the risk might not be that risky, as they both seem to be good students who have more than a ‘flip of the coin’ chance of getting into an LAC. The question then may be affordability, but we can’t solve all problems on CC.
The more the student likes the safety, the more risk that can be taken in going for reaches. If the safety is among the top choice for the student, reach away. My daughter’s safety (auto admit) was her #1 choice so anything else would have had to be pretty spectacular to get her to even apply. If OP can find 1 or 2 sure things for her daughters, then all the rest can be risks. I think the problem may be in convincing at least one daughter that every school doesn’t have to be perfect to stay on the list.
Thanks for bring us back on topic – and yes, there are a lot of specific requirements, which is what makes it so hard. I’m feeling optimistic now, though, and this thread was definitely extremely helpful! My daughters are great kids (IMHO) and I’m sure they’ll realize that just because something doesn’t seem perfect at first glance that doesn’t mean it might not be a great choice for many reasons.
The thought of having an auto admit as a #1 choice is a dream come true…that must have been wonderful.
As so many people were so helpful, I thought I’d post a follow up. I know I wonder a lot how these things work out for other people!
D1 gave everything a lot of thought, applied early to and was accepted to Mount Holyoke. She would also have applied to Bryn Mawr, Bates, and a safety (she’d opted for U of New England, which is about 2 hours away and would have been practically free with her stats) but never needed to. She is deliriously happy and can’t wait for everything to start.
D2 applied early to and was deferred by Franklin and Marshall. She then applied to 13 other schools (all small LACs, mostly CTCL) and was accepted with maximum merit scholarships from 12 (waitlisted at Dickinson) and then this past Saturday was accepted to F&M after all. So again, happiness! The thing that “gave” for her was distance – she applied as far as Ohio (Ohio Wesleyan) and GA (Agnes Scott).
We have two slight, and I do mean slight, things to deal with – D1 knows that Mount Holyoke is the right place for her but still missed a bit of the excitement of (possible) multiple acceptances and merit offers/honors program offers that she’s seen her sister get. D2 now is choosing between Mount Holyoke and F&M, rather than the choice being made for her because of early decision. Absolutely NOT a problem we’re complaining about!
A year ago we had no idea how this would all work out and it certainly has been a roller coaster, but ultimately with the education I’ve received here on CC we’re in a very good spot. I am certain it would not have gone as well without all of the help. Many, many thanks to all.
A happy ending). Good luck to them!
Thanks for letting us know! Great choices!
These may have been mentioned already, but are very nice, we visited with our kids, Elizabethtown in PA, Providence College in Ri, Muhlenberg in NJ.
Also in MA, I have a niece who really enjoyed Westfield State, and another who like Framingham State.
I’ll toss this out for whatever it’s worth. I’m also very introverted and I was sure a small LAC was the way to go.
I liked it for about one year. Then, it was claustrophic. I had no privacy. Everyone knew everyone else’s business.
Junior year, I did an off campus program and was a visiting student at a giant state flagship for a full year. I was shocked at how much I liked it. Although surrounded by tens of thousands of students, I had my privacy. I lived off campus, first with one roomie, then by myself.
I really could not have seen myself at a large university when I was applying to colleges. I was so surprised by how much I loved getting lost in the crowd and having some anonimity.
In hindsight, I think a major reason the LAC became too small too quickly was it’s location. There really was nothing to do in town, and everyone felt stuck on campus. Had it been located in a large city, I imagine it would have been different.
Isn’t Muhlenberg in PA?
^Also it might not be an admissions or financial safety
@Pheebers, congratulations to you and your daughters! And thanks so much for reporting back. 
What a great result!
Dickinson. Great LA C, her stats should work.
Muhlenberg is in Allentown, PA. Close to NJ, but in PA.
Congrats! Let us know if they decide to head to MH together - or go to different schools. Interesting dilemma! Really sounds like you did a great job managing the process and expectations. Now you’re almost on to the next stage–freshman drama!!!
Sounds like a wonderful result! Please do let us know what they choose!