This suggests that CMU is not really affordable, or is at the very edge.
NCSU’s main drawback is competitive secondary admission to major (in what is called the CODA process). Both electrical engineering and computer engineering were somewhat competitive, in taking most, but not all, applicants who chose them as their first choice majors: CODA Statistics | The College of Engineering at NC State University . More NCSU engineering CODA information can be found at Join a Department - Change of Degree Application (CODA) | The College of Engineering at NC State University (note that AP scores used for math, physics, and chemistry are converted to grades for CODA purposes, and scores lower than 5 become grades lower than A).