@Benevedi, first, it’s probably best to start a fresh thread if you want the most opinions. Your question is pretty far away from the topic’s title, and thus is likely to be overlooked.
That said, for UW, they admit roughly 40% of applicants to that department. He has to decide if he’s willing to take the risk. The whole pool he’ll be competing against will be very strong or they wouldn’t have been admitted in the first place. If he takes that route, he has to be content with the idea that he might have to choose a different major, or transfer schools. The sad reality is, the odds are 60/40 against for every applicant. No one thinks it will be them, but 6 out of 10 are.
WPI is a very interesting program. They have very short terms and 2 or even 3 major projects that take the stead of labs. Their travel abroad is also unique in that they drop students into active roles on projects all around the world. It is expensive, and it is on the East coast, making landing back in the west a little more challenging (recruiting, even at the top schools, is largely regional).
I believe he’ll have to compete for a slot in Minnesota too, which makes it less appealing. I don’t though believe the competition will be as rigorous as UW.
I don’t know anything about MSU other than it’s beautiful and the price is right. I’d look at job placement reports.
Lastly, Mudd. It’s a very polarizing school. Some LOVE it. Some report it’s a grind. Some, like my son, found it too small and (yes this is petty) ugly.
Whatever he does, have him visit the schools he’s admitted to if he can.
Good luck.