I won't argue as to the status of these degrees vis a vis "real science" and whatnot.  I do know the engineers at UM were a world apart.  They (along with most of the artists, oddly) had their own separate campus.  They were also strongly anti-union, despite the fact that there the engineering departments had a huge number of TA's.  Being snubbed during organizing drives was one of the only contacts I had with students in engineering.

At one time, the finest engineering schools on earth were found at the land-grant universities like Perdue, Michigan State, Nebraska (agronomy).  These schools were responsible for many Fortune 500 companies--I cannot even imagine 3M without the chemical engineering department at the University of Minnesota.  The UM medical school spawned Medtronics, and about 50 other major players in medical equipment biz.  In one of the late Apollo flights, the entire crew was from Michigan.  You want to learn how to drill for oil, go to Texas or Oklahoma.  ETC.

While it is probably no longer possible to get an engineering education like they did in the 30s to 70s, I am certain that there are still schools that will do the job.  The biggest difference is that you better have a fault-tolerant ear for those who learned English in schools.  Just remember, these guys got their jobs because they learned math in countries like India that actually teach math to their children.  They are genuinely baffled by folks who cannot do math.

"Remember the I35W bridge--who needs terrorists when there are Republicans"

The latter sometimes does not require the same degree of skill but is the most visible. The low status is associated to the other branches. With more and more efficient production methods, fewer "designers" are needed, and their jobs become increasingly abstract (and well paid.)

Sooner or later you will need someone who can interpret between the two groups.

Sorry, I don't have a conclusion at this time.