For a box buy a used harbor freight 44 or bigger. There are other good used boxes out there craigslist and ebay are good places to look.
Concentrate on tools instead of the box.
Snap-on is really a hand tool company. I would get Makita, Milwaukee, Ingersoo & Rand, cordless impacts in that order. IMO the tool trucks overcharge on the cordless impacts. Most people use cordless today, not air impacts.
Impact swivel sockets, and deeps are a must. I would get 1/4 and 3/8 swivels from Snap-on. The deeps I would get some decent ones, cheap and even mid grade ones can shatter, which is why there is a warning to wear eye protection with impact tools. All brands can break. Impact extensions will be softer on sockets than chrome. I would get these later not right away.
I would look at the value of used Snap-on and compared to what the student prices are. If you can get used Snap-on at a value that you think is better than new discounted Snap-On, then I would get used. For example I would get flank drive plus reversible ratchet wrenches so I would have the best open end wrench and a good ratchet wrench as well. I would also the double box end wrenches, or the double box end with one end ratcheting, so I would have a nice long box wrench for leverage, good box for grip on the fastener, and ratchet wrench for speed and again length. The regular open end wrenches are easier to find used.
Snap-on runs regular buy one get one free deals if your dealer buys into them. I have gotten many free tools this way, instead of paying full retail.
Flare nut wrenches and heavy duty torx sockets are definites, you will end up getting these anyway, pay now or pay later. The dual 80 ratchet could be put in this category too, if you really like them. It is hard not to like the ratchets, it's the price that people don't really like. There are deals though, I bought the Heavy duty torx set and got a 1/4 and 3/8 ratchet free from the dealer, as it was a promotion from Snap-On.
Ratcheting screw driver is pretty good too, especially at 50%, there are other good ratcheting screwdrivers but I like the Snap-On the best. I would definitely get one instinct handled #2 philips screwdriver, this is the most commonly used and see if you like them or not, before buying a whole set. You can get decent cheap sets just about anywhere.
Snap-On chrome sockets again I would compared good used prices to discount new prices including % interest on cost of both if needed. Snap-On chrome sockets are really good.
Snap-on dead blow hammers are really good as well.
Craftsman Industrial are US made. I don't know the prices, but my older US Craftsman ratchet wrenches have the best action, of any ratchet wrench I have been able to find, and I have compared many. These discounted at a student price could be a good deal. I prefer my craftsman ratchet wrenches, to any others I have or tried. I don't pull on the ratcheting end as hard now, that they are not easy to replace. I never had to replace any, but the open ends are good not great. Snap-On ease of warranty vs Craftsman warranty could be another discussion here, but depend on who you deal with ultimately, on the customer service end.
The Snap-On wobble plus extensions are also a must, these work great. If you have to have regular extensions I would go Mac as the knurling on the outside of the big end is nice to have.
Knipex pliers wrench is the only thing I think is great from Knipex. I would go Channel lock for the water pump type pliers. There other stuff is not bad either.
There are other brands of tools out there that your son just might like better once he tries them. In the begging, at least while in school and until he outgrows it or maybe a couple of them, I would go with cheap boxes, and focus on the tools. I would not electronic tools, except may the torque wrenches which kind of luxury, but are very nice to use. You could get by with click type cheaper ones from CDI or else where.
Craftsman mayhew pry bars have gotten good reviews on here. I have Snap-On pry bars with striking end caps that came with a free deadblow ball peen hammer, a buy on get one deal.
I would figure a budget and come up with a plan to best utilize that budget.
