Also be aware that some publics that wouldn’t be considered elite overall have a top-notch department, major, or program (some might be more grad-school oriented than others). These can be a way of getting an elite education in a field for a modest price. Here are a few:
Missouri in Journalism
Michigan State in Supply Chain Mgmt.
Pittsburgh & Rutgers in Philosophy
South Carolina in International Business
Nebraska’s Raikes School (combines computer science & business)
Iowa in Creative Writing