Is the CUSAT school of engineering or model engineering college better?

It depends upon a lot of parameters. If you wish to enjoy it, definitely go for MEC. It might not be such a good choice as far as infrastructure is concerned, but it does excel in the aspects which matter the most, the prime aspect being, a secure future. 

If you have a look at the placement statistics, they would show you the return on investment you would get in MEC. Being a small college unlike SOE, the students get to know most of the people in college. As far as teaching and placements are concerned, MEC is far better than SOE.

If you go by the outside world, people might even call it a ‘school’, but unless you experience it yourself, you will never know the uniqueness. It all depends upon you. If you want to balance your studies as well as have fun MEC would be best for you.

But, at the end of the day, it’s you, not the college. As both the institutes have an equal status in their own unique ways.