I wouldn’t call $160K relatively small. OP will be earning maybe not $90k, but $70K with UCSD CS degree for the fraction of the cost of MIT. UCSD is still ranked pretty high. If it was ranked in 100+ I would recommend going to MIT and fulfill your dream now. But with UCSD BS OP can go to elite graduate program or put down payment on his first house. Most of the people will go to graduate school anyway so “brand” of undergraduate school especially for engineering doesn’t matter anymore.