<p>If you’re really interested in going to NU, you might want to try getting some outside scholarships. COE has recommendations here: [Scholarships</a> | College of Engineering](<a href=“http://www.coe.neu.edu/coe/undergraduate/studentservices/scholarships.html]Scholarships”>http://www.coe.neu.edu/coe/undergraduate/studentservices/scholarships.html)</p>
<p>I think that as an engineer, you’d have a better shot of paying off any debt you might have, but I don’t know much about the other two schools, so I can’t tell you if Northeastern would be significantly better for you.</p>