I don’t think Elon gives generous merit, but their overall cost is lower than most schools. Surprised no one mentioned U of Alabama. I think your son would get lots of merit.
It’s a small highly ranked engineering school, but Franklin Olin gives all admitted students half off tuition.
If he applies by December 1, University of Southern California will consider him for merit and they seem to be reasonably generous with full tuition and half tuition scholarships.
@citymama9 I think Alabama etc has been inferred in the auto tuition type posts, Alabama is probably no better than the OPs U of Utah state school which would be all but free tuition for the OP give or take a little $.
Reach schools that give merit (or even many match schools) will often not give enough merit to get the COA down below your EFC. To find schools that might do so on the LAC side you’ll need to look at low match and safety schools where you are in the upper quartile. It means dropping a tier or two and looking at less popular locations. Beloit is a good example of one that would likely make a lovely offer and be a solid LAC. But it will not have the name or prestige of some that you have mentioned or be in as popular a location.
As for WUE I agree with the earlier comment that you will be challenged to find something as good as Utah comparing price value to academic value. Best bets would be Colorado State (honors college) and Western Washington University (honors college).
Well it sounds like I should just take our EFC and then look at the best possible school to get into that will meet 100% of need?
You need to use each school’s net price calculator to check need-based financial aid. Most colleges with good financial aid calculate EFC their own way, which may result in substantially different EFC from the FAFSA EFC. In addition, each college sets its own ESC (expected student contribution of work earnings and/or federal direct loans) to add to its EFC.
University of Michigan has very good engineering. Your stats may get you in. It is super competitive though and everyone one has multiple APs and a 4.0gpa. You have good ECs so that would help.