VCUArts? or MICA??

I am a high school Junior who has a major interest in illustration, Mica offers a really good illustration program and I know there are connections if you do go there which can help post undergraduate/masters. I really would love to go there since I live in the DMV area and it seems like the closest I will get. The only thing that is holding me back is the price. I know I will probably have to get loans or such out but I really am considering this school.
That leads me into VCUArts which i heard has a really good art program but doesn’t offer illustration as a major, only a minor, and I will probably have to take kinetics engineering?? also I heard that you do not actually get into the program until you are a sophomore and even then it isn’t guaranteed? is that true??? I just need help! also if there are other colleges with illustration programs that are really good please recommend! Any advice is needed!