A final decision on cost cannot be made until you receive your award letter from the college sometime in March or April of your senior year of high school. The award letter will list grants, work study, loans, and scholarships that the college can offer you. Look it over and decide as a family if it meets your financial needs. Students who make connections with the college early in their first year are often more satisfied with their school choice then those who do not. Maybe you would like a school that has extensive foreign travel opportunities.
Schools vary greatly in what they can offer students.
Generally, the larger the schools the more activities they have. College handbooks will list extracurricular activities, social organizations, and other student activities. Decide what you want and make a list. Look for these things when you visit the colleges. On paper, a school may look wonderful, but before you sign the dotted line be sure to visit it.