Is there more grade deflation at Harvey Mudd than Caltech? It seems unlikely to me.*
I agree that Tufts is worth a look. My son was roommates freshman year with an engineering student who didn’t want to be one. I think he did eventually persuade his parent to let him do something else. It’s a very small engineering school - which could be a good or bad thing. The one kid I knew well who went there loved it. She working for a big pharmaceutical company now.
*edited to add, well they seem to think so: http://www.claremontportside.com/print-edition/2014-2015/october-2014/grade-inflation-reconsidered/