Michigan engineering out-of-state list price is about $76k lower division, $83k upper division. If you will not get any need-based financial aid, then it is an unrealistic reach with your $60-70k price limit.
You can check financial aid at its net price calculator.
What is the point of applying if it will not be affordable? That would be a wasted application.
As the parent, you need to do the financial planning to see how much you can afford and run net price calculators on the colleges being considered. Better to tell the student the price limit up front rather than leave the letdown for next April when the student is deciding between various admission offers only to hear that most or all of them (including the top choices) are too expensive.
My S24 from the Midwest has very similar stats and also applied for Mechanical Engineering. Your son’s UW GPA is 0.1 higher and his ECs are stronger. He took 13 APs and like your son he was also heavily involved in FIRST (World twice) and TSA. In case this helps, here are his results from this year in order of his preference (all EA):
Wisconsin-Madison: admitted off the waitlist, no merit
Michigan: waitlisted
University of Minnesota: admitted $10,000 per year merit
Iowa State University: admitted, honors, $12,000 per year merit
Colorado-Boulder: admitted to exploratory studies, not engineering, no merit
Prior admissions cycle, but my S23 from California with very similar stats (same GPA and a slightly higher ACT (34)) and equally strong ECs applied EA to Michigan for electrical engineering. Deferred to RD, then rejected - and then a few weeks later he was moved to the Michigan waitlist. (That was weird.) FYI - if you’re looking for possible merit, he was also accepted to CU Boulder for engineering and honors (with modest merit), Lehigh (with merit) and LMU (with merit) - all of which might have gotten us close to your budget.
There’s many reaches. But why do you need reaches per se.
It’s engineering. ABET accreditation is what you need
My Bama kid has Ga Tech in his job co hort upcoming plus Michigan , UW, Purdue, Case Western, Cal Poly and more this past year and W Michigan, Utah, Akron, Auburn, etc in 95% of cases it won’t matter.
That said Purdue would be a reasonable reach at full pay that’s affordable as will UF. U Washington too. Mine turned down Purdue with merit for Bama. Told me that I and the rankings/magazines don’t matter - that it just makes people panic. Companies don’t care. That he interned with two Ga tech kids, went back 2nd year and they weren’t invited told me all I needed to know.
Not saying to apply there although your cost would be $20k with auto merit - but find the ‘right’ school, not just the name.
Clemson, as an example, is not likely and already at budget and it gives you zero advantage over a Bama or Auburn or Ohio State or UMN, all of which will be in budget - and many more.
Lots of privates would be reaches too but over budget - Rice, WUSTL, Vandy and I’m not sure better outcomes. Lehigh and RPI could be worth a look. Lehigh a match. RPI a better than match and more likely than Lehigh to hit your target.
Two fine mid size publics are UAH and School of Mines. The former would be inexpensive (20-ish) and is surrounded by defense companies. The other is pricier but within budget and has a great rep, outside of Denver.
The former is safe the latter is a likely.
My daughter with very similar stats goes to Clemson. She’s in honors and gets $10,000 a year in merit, but she’s going to be a senior, merit awards seem to dwindle, plus she’s a business major which isn’t as competitive as engineering, I believe. Another daughter with a little higher stats received $17,000 a year from University of Delaware honors and I’d be surprised if this student didn’t receive the same.
So I will play. First of all you can’t compare your kid to the others suggesting similar stats. Well intended but your child is only compared to his school /district. For engineering at Michigan you need an unweighted 3.93 with 34 Act. So he’s right there. Not sure I would bother retaking the ACT. His ECs are great. Write a great essay but if it’s not affordable then it just isn’t.
He will get the OOS half scholarship at MSU with honors program, $5,000 for study abroad and a first year mentor /research.
At Rose Hulman at least a half scholarship but maybe a full one. Definitely visit. Great school but very small and engineering 24/7. 75/25 men /women.
Possible merit at OSU and Pen State
NC State has been tough for OOS the last three years but would assume Clemson is good.
Your reaches are reaches. Flip a coin but Texas for OOS is more then tough.
You actually have a good list. I would add Purdue, Case Western. As mentioned Iowa State has a good program. He will be accepted with merit and he will be accepted quickly. But it’s not an easy school.