Yes, if merit aid is an important consideration, that changes the equation, particularly for LACs – it’s pretty scarce in the northeast (though not entirely nonexistent at less selective schools).
If you do pay a visit to Carleton and Grinnell, it’s pretty easy to add Macalester and St.Olaf to that trip. Both are terrific in the sciences, give merit aid and would meet all your criteria other than a desire to have no distribution requirements.