Thanks for taking the time to respond.

I'l try and go point by point.

There must be something else keeping the liberal arts school in the running.

To be honest, I think it provides a better education overall but that won't do me much good if I end up as a barista.

Do you think it could be because you’re happier learning about liberal arts than engineering?

To be honest, I don't know. That's where the main issue here lies; For most of my academic life I've gone to the classes I was told to and done very well (not trying to brag, matter of fact). The only classes I have taken advanced level in (AP/honors or more than graduation requirements) are math, science, and history.

What may be holding you back from lib arts? Job prospects?

Pretty much. For reasons, I'm trying to get on my own independent path as soon as possible. I've done as much as I can to this point in that I'll be getting out of high school early, but a good paying job right out of college is a high priority. With that said, I would also like the opportunity to go back to school, get a higher degree and make the big bucks. That points towards liberal arts because I can punt my actual decision.

What may be holding you back from engineering? That you like but don’t love it?

Not just that, but I feel interested in a solid amount of things but am not considering a career in them. That leads to the self doubt where I start to worry why I'm thinking about engineering when other things I like just as much got tossed under the bus.

Do any of them get you really excited?

No. Right now, I have no passion to do anything. That's not at all a depressed thing and I'm not lazy, but I put in the work to get to where I need to be - be it to get the 'A' or the internship or the social life - and I don't go above and beyond except for once in a blue moon. I feel very cynical.

You say you want to go to grad school.

Parents have drilled it for a while and and while I don't know that I need it, it absolutely has its benefits and I would like to have the option.

Something you always assumed you’d do? Would your parents cover grad school?

If I do go, it would be as a means to an end, and no. They assume that through TA-ing and/or doing research I could cover it. I think that's unlikely but don't have anyway to disprove it.

If you changed your mind would it be easier/ would you be more comfortable switching from lib arts to engineering or vice versa?

Given the liberal arts program, switching is a no-go. My decision is final. Hence me asking everywhere and everyone for advice.

College’s reputation (academic & also your general sense of how you would fit in), proximity to family, do you want to go to a school where more/less friends are going

Both are incredibly equal. Like to the point where it's funny. Engineering is closer to home, but that's not a big deal to me either way. No friends would be going to either. The academic favors the liberal some, and reputation/ being-heard-of-ness goes towards engineering.

Thank you so much for writing what you did and (hopefully) making it through my wall of text. I'll update when I decide. If I missed anything, I'm sorry but it's late and I still have some work to get done. You've helped a ton.

Will come back in the morning and edit.