If you get a full scholarship to La Tech, sure, go, but I don’t think anyone will be more impressed with La Tech than a California school. I’m not saying it is a bad choice and financially I think it would be the better choice if you don’t get into the UC you want and/or you don’t get enough money to make it work, but you asked ‘wouldn’t it be smarter’ and some people will think you should go to the higher ranked school, or the school known to employers in your area. If you are thinking of petroleum engineering or another hard science LaTech specializes in, then yes, may be smarter. You need to compare the schools on a lot of levels - fit, financials, convenience, desired major, desired employment during school and after.