If you get a certain amount of merit (the amount varies by school I think) in Texas schools they automatically grant instate tuition.
3scoutsmom, In fact I had an admit from UTD in 1993 in Electrical Engineering !! I chose SFU due to the programs they were offering me. So I know UTD is a very good school. I had no qualms with any Southern States till recently. In fact my brother graduated from Louisiana State University in 1997 and got a nice job in the Bay area.
Yes, what you are saying is true. Dallas, Houston are all cosmopolitan cities very much like the Bay area. Its just that having lived in Bay area and San Diego for over 14 years, I have an attachment to California 
But cost (and of course quality) being an important factor now, I am open to looking at Universities all across US.
The opportunities for internships in engineering at University of Alabama are plentiful…
@mom2collegekids could you explain some of the tech industries located near the UA schools?
@golfdude71 I’ve been living in Texas for 10 years now and the only “recent changes” have been a better economy, a building boom, and more traffic mostly caused by people relocating from California.
What recent changes are you referring to? UTD has expanded tremendously since 1993 if you visited back then I doubt you’d even recognize it today.
Another college to consider is New Mexico Tech. Total COA under $35K/year for OOS. Merit scholarship available.
Thanks folks for pointing out specific Universities.
“My husband is an electrical engineer. He got his degree from a very low ranked school in electrical engineering. He has a very successful career…and is actually one of the VPs of his company. He earns a great salary…and doesn’t get paid a dime less than folks working at his firm who graduated from schools that are viewed “higher rank”.”
Literally this