but I think these other universities have resources that can advance my career more meaningfully.
So I feel compelled to note that I think for engineering fields (and actually in general, but particularly engineering), this is not really accurate. Once you are at any of these programs, what will take over is how you actually do as an individual, including classes but also things like internships or coops, and the impressions you make on people during such experiences. In fact, in the end, engineering kids who go to Texas are going to end up in the same jobs as engineering kids who go to MIT and such. What is really going to matter is your interests and abilities as an individual, no matter which of these colleges you end up at.
Of course if you want to go to a different sort of college than Texas for a different sort of college experience, including one that would cost a lot more, that is fine as long as you and your family can comfortably afford that. I would just be very cautious about trying to justify that based on career outcomes and such. The “return” on your “investment” is much more likely to be the experience itself, and not anything it really changes about your career prospects.
Given this, I am not so sure Georgia Tech specifically makes a lot of sense for you. But I do understand better why you are applying to publics out West.
But did you consider the Upper Midwest? Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin, and Minnesota, say? Great engineering colleges, definitely not Southern. Again, it is OK if you would rather go West, but I thought it worth mentioning.