You speak as if that's a lot, but more than 85% of US families make under $200k per year.

Also, under $200k is a big range. What % are below $100k? Or below $80k, the median family income?

Is there any source supporting this claim? I find that very hard to believe. I think the same cannot even be said for a lot of UCs.

See the data here - it’s slightly off as the middle bucket ends at $249k but that doesn’t substantially change the point:

https://features.thecrimson.com/2023/freshman-survey/makeup/

It’s actually easier for the Ivy League schools: they have huge endowments to cushion year to year variation, and they have massive international draw so Harvard or Yale can offer many students a great aid package and still come out ahead thanks to the rich international students paying full price for the prestige and the chance to intern with top researchers.

My wife is a high school science teacher and many of her students have been surprised that they were looking at a higher total loan with state schools because so much of the costs have been shifted away from general fund revenue.

A lot of international students receive scholarships from their own country to study at the best universities. Brains are a strategic resource.

100% correct. a common misconception is that Ivy League admittees are the elite. It's mostly the middle class.