Laid-back but strong northeast schools?

<p>my parents are willing to pay up to 50,000 or so, but preferably much less. I think they’d pay for college anywhere where they think the price is worth the quality.
the 3/2 engineering program looks pretty good, and opens up a lot of colleges that I’d otherwise cross off. it seems that I’d have to do the work of 4 years in 3 years, however… would the 3/2 engineering program be more intense than a traditional 4 year program? also, I’d be worried about not getting the “college” experience as well with this type of program
Thank you!!</p>