Know this is too late, since you’ve already headed off to college. Pick the program where you will be successful - don’t just rely on the “reputation” of the engineering school. Smart seniors assume that top grades and test scores in high school automatically translate to success in college. Not true.
A stellar academic record at one of the most rigorous high schools in the country (math SAT score of 740, 4.2 GPA, 5 on AP calculus, physics and chemistry exams) was enough to secure a full ride in engineering at a traditional college for my son. Sadly, high school success did not translate to college. I argued (unsuccessfully) for a smaller college with a support system, where help would be readily available, and where the “weed-out” mentality would be replaced with a “do-everything-to-help-you-succeed” mentality. I lost the argument. My son’s first year in engineering was abysmal, and I don’t think that would have been the case at an HBCU. Listen to your parents (except for staying at home - you need to stay on campus).
Where will you be successful? Don’t let arrogance (“I’m smart - I can handle it”) determine the answer to this question. Companies heavily recruit at HBCU’s to diversity their work force - you won’t be “short changed” by attending an HBCU.