I, too, recommend checking out Case Western Reserve University.
Rice: ~4000 undergrads
CWRU: ~5000 undergrads
CWRU: has NASA Glenn nearby
https://online-engineering.case.edu/blog/nasa-glenn-research-blog
CWRU has residential colleges
https://case.edu/studentlife/residence/
CWRU has 4 Physics Nobel Laureates
https://case.edu/ir/faculty-honors-and-awards/nobel-laureates
CWRU is northern…in Cleveland OH
CWRU is known for merit scholarships…avg. Merit scholarship is $ 23,188
https://case.edu/ir/sites/case.edu.ir/files/2020-05/CDS_2019-2020_0.pdf