Also, I graduate from engineering school magna cum laude and in Tau Beta Pi. I work in software on the west coast and have many friends who are practicing engineers. I’m familiar with the general landscape of engineering and where companies (certainly at least my company) hires. I’ve never worked with anyone from Alabama, but I’ve worked with people from UGA, UIC (Illinois - Chicago), and other schools with similar reputations as Alabama.
There is no discrimination against Alabama grads in industry, specifically in software. You’re good as long as you’ve done well in school and had internship experience in your field. If a company doesn’t recruit at your school, if you submit your resume, they will screen you over the phone and if they think you are good, you will be invited onsite.
It’s a bit odd that I’m boosting Alabama, but I can vouch that I’m not paid by or affiliated in any way with Alabama (LOL!). I wouldn’t have minded going to Alabama on a full scholarship though and if I had kids, I wouldn’t mind sending them to Alabama either (more likely if they qualify for the Presidential Scholarship (-:).