^^ I can be very sneaky. 
Yes, for engineering or comp sci, the student would get an addâl 2500 per year. Itâs a nice little bonus!
You might want to investigate the CBH honors program at Bama. The kids in the program are all high achieving students. Each yr Kurds from that group are named Goldwater Scholars. http://uanews.ua.edu/2015/04/four-ua-students-named-goldwater-scholars/ The research these students participate in is pretty amazing. You can see the fields by scrolling through this list: https://live.cbhp.ua.edu/schedule.php
Also agreeing that where wonât impact your career. Our oldest graduated from a small regional tech university with his chemE degree. He had multiple job offers and works for one of the top grab all chemical companies alongside grads from all types of universities. On the job performance matters, not UG degree school.
If every student and their family had the goal of keeping student loan debt to a absolute minimum then the political discussions about the problems of student loan debt may become a thing of the past. When you are a capable student with the credentials to pursue low cost opportunities due to qualifying for good merit, isnât that the responsible thing to do if your parents are not willing or able to pay between 60 and 70 grand per year?
There is nothing to sacrifice. You go to the school best fit you and is affordable. Check the NPC and ask your family how much you can afford. Many students rely on the merit scholarships and need based aids to attend college. You make the decision when you received admission and financial aid package.
Agree that Iowa and Minnesota are excellent options. Look at their career center and see if they have recruiting and job placement data.