I don’t think NEU is realistic and Oberlin is likely not realistic but would be a better reach.
He’ll have to decide - comp sci or poli sci - not now - but comp sci will likely be difficult. American also likely difficult - but that can be changed with demonstrating interest - or in this case ED.
One thing to wonder is = budget - is there one.
You could look up any small school in America and find successful people. You can look up any company in America and fine successful people. That’s not an issue - but his drive and hustle will be. Obviously Comp Sci will be easier to make a career than Poli Sci - but on the other hand, one has to do what they like.
For International Affairs, I might look at Indiana (big enough he’d find his crowd), College of Charleston (yes, it’s a party crowd), Ole Miss (he’ll find his crowd), and U Denver for starters.
Dickinson could work for an LAC. And there are many more.
The programs I listed above are well known - IU has the Hamilton Lugar school, Charleston has the Mroz Institute, Ole Miss has the well regarded Croft Institute and Denver has the Korbel School.
Schools like Elon, Lewis & Clark, Rhodes, Gettysburg, Rollins, Earlham, Wooster could be other good choices.
He’ll have options - it just depends what you are looking for. You can find intellectual - it may not be throughout the entire student body - but any kid can find it on their own and in working with the faculty.
Let us know if there are budget constraints.
EDIT - sorry OP - I saw Northeast and then blanked on it. My apologies. But it’s some ideas nonetheless. I do think CS will be “difficult” for this student.