There’s no comparison for recruiting between Sac and SJSU.
CPP is gaining ground, too, and does have a 4-year graduation pledge that your son could take before he enrolls.
Cal Poly SLO would be a huge reach but if he applies “ED” (he applies by an earlier deadline and commits to attending if admitted) would give him a boost, provided his course choices reflect reasonable academic rigor.
For instance, has he taken (or will be have taken, by the end of senior year), all three of Bio, Chem, and Physics? Will he have completed Precalculus Honors? Calculus? Will he have 4 years of Honors or AP English, Social Science, Foreign Language? An extra AP science class? ** All of this assuming his high school offers these classes. He will not be penalized if his school doesn’t.
Students who live on campus are more involved in activities (necessary for resume and general development) and have better grades. Overall, its better for your son to live on campus. If you worry about parties, you can request he live in a “Substance Free” dorm (sometimes also called “Healthy Lifestyle” or “Healthy Choices”). An exception would be if he has an illness (physical or mental).
IN addition, students who live on campus waste less time in transportation (and less gas, and less gas money). Some “more residential” campuses include Chico, which has Engineering - though not as good as SJSU for anything computer-related.
If your son commutes, there are hidden costs: gas, car insurance and repair, food. It’s less than the cost of Room&board but it’s still not nothing.
UC vs. CSU: your son has a good shot at UCSC. The CSE program there is very good. If you are a California resident, the cost of room&board will be factored into your financial aid package so it may not be much more expensive than a CSU. However, if you mus pay OOS fees, indeed I’d aim for a CSU. I believe that if your son graduates from a CA HS he’ll be considered a resident though, so the distinction may be moot and he’d get good rates at either type of university.
What about your own state’s schools though?