I’m not ready to recommend an undergrad choice to a 17 year old based on an uncle, a dad, and my son. There are dozens of new post-grad programs which did not exist when your Dad and uncle were doing their dissertations. The field of Innovation as an inter-disciplinary subject (combining business, engineering and data) is relatively new. But early signs are that engineers who get that training AFTER their BS are having a powerful effect on industry. And the top programs are filled with students whose degrees are paid for by their employer.
Thrilled your family members knew their path early on. But three datapoints is not data.