UNC has a very good biomedical engineering program and their Environmental Sciences and Engineering program is in the Gillings School of Public Health (if I remember correctly). The Gillings School of Public Health is one of the best in the country.
OP needs to indicate net costs for all options in relation to budget.
Also, has OP done any on campus visits or overnights? Has any preference based on that?
Net Costs of Attendance-
UNC Chapel Hill- 51,000
UTK- 6,500
Auburn-30,000
Binghamton 25,000
Have had overnights at every school but Binghamton. Loved the campus and environments at both Auburn and UNC. UTK was alright but I visited during a huge party weekend and it was crazy. I realize that visiting Binghamton makes a big difference in this decision and plan on doing so soon.
Would you qualify for FA at UNC? It meets full need for all students.
Will you enjoy UTK if there are a lot of huge party weekends? While all schools have parties, they are easier to avoid at some schools than others. They are giving you a great price, but you have to like the vibe of the school or it won’t matter that they gave you a great price. I know nothing about UTK- I am just giving you something to think about.
Visiting Binghamton for a weekend will give you a chance to compare it to the other schools. Do you know anybody who attends Binghamton?
Unless you get a later FA package or your parents can pay this wincing but without other pain, UNC is off the table.
So, that leaves UTK, Auburn, and Binghamton.
You should revisit and do an overnight at UTK, taking classes there, asking to be hosted in the Honors Dorm. And of course you should visit Binghamton. The academic quality is there but the environment may not be to your liking (it really depends on the individual).
I’m still wondering how Binghamton even got on your list. The other schools are all large southern schools with major conference athletics and spirit. Other than being a great school, Binghamton is opposite in every way.
Some of the schools you list have great academics and great school spirit-a young upbeat energetic vibe. Some are flagships and some not, Some have a great mix of beautiful old architecture and new contemporary buildings in a mix that works and results in an aesthetically pleasing university. Some are in great large towns/small cities that are known to offer a nice quality of life-others not so much. I’d choose the ones with school spirit, energetic vibe, flagship or close, and aesthetically pleasing if they also have great academics. UNC-CH has all that but may be out of range financially. If so, pick another that has the features you like and/or that is most similar to UNC. I agree with previous posters about visiting all schools. There is a big difference between schools that are the flagships or close, in their state and those that are not. I think Auburn and UTK would be far closer to UNC than others you have mentioned. Good luck. Visit the campuses!