Why are most top engineering schools large state schools?

@merc81 Bucknell is ranked 8th with 6 ties ahead if it.

Bucknell is pretty excellent for engineering and has a much better alumni network than most schools.

This same concept is being discussed about political science and there are at least a dozen schools I can think of better at the undergrad level like Bates, ND, Villanova, Wash & Lee and diminutive St. Anselm than the schools in the list.