If I can add on to what intparent has suggested, the point of net price calculators is to show that the “sticker price” on most colleges is not the price most people pay. My son is like you in not wanting to stay in-state, but we went to a financial aid workshop early in his search process and learned that, because we are not rolling in money, a majority of private schools will in the end cost less than your in-state public schools. Private schools have access to funds from alumni gifts, etc. that public schools don’t. And there are many many private schools that would find you an attractive candidate BECAUSE you don’t want to stay near home. While your GPA and your test scores are certainly very important, many private schools on the West coast will find you more attractive than a West coast student with the same GPA/test scores because you are from a different region. So don’t lose hope yet! Keep studying hard, and start looking at West coast schools in the “selective” and “very selective” categories – they will be thrilled to hear from you.