Back to the OP’s topic, if, IF the OP really plans to strongly consider pursuing engineering and does not want to have to transfer, and a desired school is affordable, then there is nothing wrong with going where it is available. Students do change their major all the time. (As an example, both my s’s started majoring in something else at their respective schools and then changed to Engineering in their sophomore years. And both graduated in 4 years).
Also, for the OP, there may be something to be said for being the top of the middle than the middle of the top (OP says he is a very strong student).