STEM girl realizes that LACS exist, now how to find the right one?

Check out Case Western Reserve University:

It is a Engineering School merged with a LAC. You get the best of both worlds.
5000 Undergraduates.
Research for Undergrads: http://case.edu/source/
In Cleveland, but in the University Circle region, a mecca of culture
Hillel house: http://case.edu/hillel/