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<p>As it happens, SteveMA, I’m the “irrational actor” that behavioral economists talk about. 
I’m the kind of person who says, “What’s the big difference between ‘practically free’ and $13K a year?” (This is even though my math skills are good enough to see the difference between “practically free” and $52K over four years.) When I think about the “it’s only money” that’s flowed through my bank account over the years, I cringe. That’s why I set up a college savings account that forced savings upon me. Otherwise, who knows what kind of hand-wringing I’d be doing come May of this year? But what I was really saying was that if Drake was a place the kid could see herself going for whatever reasons, it would be a good choice and offered at a reasonable price point for what it is. And for some kinds of students it would offer more attractive options than St. Thomas does. I’d say the same thing about the University of Michigan (and then expect people to tell me I’m crazy!). The OP says Drake is off the table (and if it’s very, very, very, very preprofessional as Haystack says, it would be off my list and my D’s as well). I know nothing whatsoever about the University of St. Thomas, but it does sound like a great option.</p>