Dave,
The University of Maryland College Park has an excellent School of Engineering:
http://www.eng.umd.edu/ (full disclosure: we compete against them!
You cannot beat the education he'll get there, and you'll pay "in state" tuition. Not only that, but it's the flagship university for the state system. Yes, admission is pretty competitive, but if he gets in, and works hard, he'll have a bright future.
He should also have some safety schools to look at, Towson, UMBC, etc. Again, you'll be paying instate tuition. I'm certain that ISU is a fine school, and that gives an excellent education. That said, it's not even their flagship university, which means it's possible the labs likely won't be as well outfitted as those at the U of Iowa, there will likely be fewer opportunities for research, etc.
Yes, it's possible to get an excellent education at something less than a top school. I myself started at San Diego State, which is on the third tier (First comes the flagship school, then the regional UC campuses, then the state schools). But it's not an easy row to hoe. The best illustration I ever saw had two young men, racing to the top of a building. Just like the start of the 100 yard dash. Starting line, starter pistol, everything. Ready, set, go! One runs through the door and starts going up the stairs. The other runs to the elevator and pushes the button...
Yes, Jerry Rice started at Mississippi Valley State. But if you watched the pro bowl, and saw the introductions, you'll have noticed how many of the players went to Miami, or Penn State, or USC, etc. There are solid reasons for that.
Two caveats: My son started at the University this last fall, as a media studies major. Within two months, he'd switched to another major. Not because he didn't like where he was, he just found the other more interesting. We have lots of students who start in engineering, or chemistry, or other things, and then switch as they explore their interests. That's what universities are for.
Second, it's getting pretty late in the admissions season. If he wants to be able to have choices about where to go, he better be getting those applications in, like pronto. Seriously. Like, this week. He's burning daylight...
Best of luck,
Thanks,
Bill