yeah, $30K seems average per semester for a private school. between 25 and $38K, i think bennington in vermont is currently the most expensive school right now.
At any rate, just remember a few things.
1. you gotta love where you're going to school, or at least like it enough not to think you'd be better somewhere else. If you think yo'ure better off somewhere else, go, otherwise, you'll be second guessing yourself for years to come....
2. if you're going into engineering, then your choice of undergrad is not nearly as important as your choice of graduate school. this applies for almost any going into higher degrees, MA/Ph.D, MRS (for the ladies), etc. just remember to actually Do something where-ever you are. a lot of graduate schools look that you have good undergrad grades and have accomplished something. If you're at a less exclusive school, then you will probably 'look' better on paper with your 4.0 and published works that are a bit easier than your 3.5 and working your ass off bc you're in debt from harvard.
3. there was a recent survey done that tracked people who went to ivy league schools vs people who met the requirements for ivy league schools, but chose state schools. They found that the people performed almost exactly the same in salaries of jobs and social status after graduation, basically showing htat the drive and ambition and sheer brainpower helps more than most people give credit. One thing they did note, however, was that slackers gained MUCH more from having the ivy league name on the degree. Namely, they were able to use the contacts and the name of the school to get a job that they wouldnt' have had if they went to, say..college of charleston or somesuch.
anyway, i liked graduating without being in debt. It allowed me some time to do whatever without feeling like i have to pay back the world. On the other hand, sometimes that pressure helps you obtain employment more quickly.
whatever you do, try to enjoy it as much as you can. Seriously, though, if you feel like you want to be elsewhere, then transfer if possible, just remember that not all classes will transfer and you'll probably add at least another semester on everytime you change schools. Sad, but true.
One last bit of advice: While Gen eds are just Gen eds, i found that I enjoyed them much more in a university than a community/tech school. I also found that i really learned more and actually persued more things than i would have if i didn't have those classes in a university. Anthropology taught by someone who majored in english vs someone doctored in anthropology are two totally different things and it does come across in class.
wow, that was longwinded. Basically, do what you wish right now that is most comfortable. Also, columbia is a great school, just remember that it's near harlem, so the surrounding few blocks are kinda drty, but safe
go 20 blocks (about a mile) south and everything is happy and different, go another 20 blocks south and you're in a different world every 20 blocks after that...
anyway, enjoy