Disagree. But there are schools that are harder admits.
You want ABET and short of a few he can shine. U of A is now $40k-ish best case.
What are you able to spend. Purdue could work - similar price.
Better - can’t say. Harder admit - yea.
Alabama - where mine chose over Purdue and Arizona - with top stats - under $20k. He had 19 interviews and 5 offers by Xmas.
As he told me when he turned down Purdue, rankings are for selling magazines. Companies aren’t looking. Given he works with Michigan, Purdue, U Wash but also Akron, W Michigan, and other similar at the same $$, at least at his company he’s not wrong.
He interned in auto but turned down his intern company as they came late (Feb) with an offer. He was done by xmas.
Arizona is a great school. If your son will be happy there, it’s great. Boulder is great too in space but will be more. Purdue, Iowa State, UMN would all be sub $40k (Purdue maybe a tinge over with the engineering surcharge).
Ms State and Bama all sub $20k Both have ecoCAR too. UF mid 40s.
Personally if he’s happy I think your hypothesis is off base.
Good luck.