<p>Hey, I’m from Idaho, so I know exactly what you’re talking about.</p>
<p>The clear choice is Colorado School of Mines. It’s in Golden, Colorado and is surrounded by mountains. It’s a small school (about 4,000) and is about 20 min drive from Denver. I know that goes against the size you were thinking, but it’s a really good academic school. Their Petroleum and Chemical engineers make over 80,000 straight out of college (they have connections with Exxon and Connco Phillips).</p>
<p>Just to sound unbiased, I don’t actually go to Mines (I’m at Virginia Tech), but I have visited Golden, Colorado and Mines quite a few times.</p>
<p>Also, to the people who are saying UW, there aren’t any real mountains in Seattle!</p>