Are you graduating high school this year or next year?
With Engineering at a college with a traditional schedule and pace you will need to look at travel abroad in the summers. Maybe you can tie in international internships.
(For future applicants, WPI was one of the only colleges building in study abroad opportunities with engineering.)
For your decision making, look at the courses you will take freshman year. Are there programs that will get you into hands on engineering projects? Ask about research opportunities for undergrads. And look at the gpa needed to retain any merit offered.
Run the NPCs for the colleges, sometimes private schools end up costing less depending on family income level.
Good luck!