New here. Son needs help figuring out what colleges are considered Reach or Safety

From the ABET accredited list, UMass Lowell is less selective but it has its own nuclear research reactor and is known for those programs. They do offer merit for out of state applicants. There is no special application for the nuclear programs.
https://www.uml.edu/News/press-releases/2016/USNWRrankings091316.aspx
https://www.uml.edu/Engineering/Chemical/Programs/Nuclear/
https://www.uml.edu/Research/Energy/research/nuclear-energy.aspx

The only LAC that I know of that has a nuclear reactor is Reed. They do not offer engineering except through partnership programs
https://reactor.reed.edu/about.html
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l33AR1PmZsg