Pick the best college in the area that you want to live. Employer familiarity of the local colleges is very important.
I earned a BS degree in Chemical Engineering from Cornell University. Then I tried to find a job in the Minneapolis area.
Had trouble getting interviews. The ones I got didn’t go well: Some employers confused Cornell University (in NY) with Cornell College (a small liberal arts college in Iowa). Others based their interview on courses offered at the University of Minnesota.
Looked for 10 months. Nothing. Moved out east, had several interviews in the second week, a job offer in the third, and started work in Fuel Cells on the fourth week.
I know it’s difficult to factor in financial aid, but in terms of value, it invalidates their methology.