If you're after saving money (and pursuing the same general strategy), even a better idea is attend a reputable community college (in SF Bay Area, the best by far are De Anza and Foothill) and then transfer (again, to a top-tier public school such as Penn State, U Michigan or UC Berkeley/UCLA).
A further shortcut is also doing a combined BS/MS program: some very reputable public/many private universities do this (UCLA does, UC Berkeley does not) -- in this way, you only spend an extra year on your masters and carry over a great deal of undergraduate credit. If you aren't looking for a Ph.D right away, this may be a better course (and having a Masters thesis written, recommendations from graduate course professors as well as a few years of work experience (after the Masters) give a significant admissions boost).
A further shortcut is also doing a combined BS/MS program: some very reputable public/many private universities do this (UCLA does, UC Berkeley does not) -- in this way, you only spend an extra year on your masters and carry over a great deal of undergraduate credit. If you aren't looking for a Ph.D right away, this may be a better course (and having a Masters thesis written, recommendations from graduate course professors as well as a few years of work experience (after the Masters) give a significant admissions boost).