* Specific program: A rigorous BS in physics will be harder than a less demanding BS in general studies. Similarly, a BE in aerospace engineering will likely be more challenging than a BE in civil engineering (though both are demanding fields). The curriculum and expectations vary widely between universities and even within a single university's different departments.
* Individual aptitude and skills: A student who excels in math and science might find a BE easier than a BS in a humanities field, while another student might find the opposite true. Personal learning styles, time management skills, and study habits play a significant role.
* University rigor: Some universities are known for their more challenging academic environments. A BE from MIT will likely be harder than a BE from a less selective institution. The same applies to BS degrees.
* Workload and course intensity: Engineering programs generally involve more hands-on projects, labs, and design work compared to many BS programs. This increased workload can make them feel more demanding, even if the individual course difficulty isn't necessarily higher.
In short, comparing a BS and a BE in terms of difficulty is like comparing apples and oranges. Both can be extremely challenging depending on the specific program and the individual student. It's not a universally applicable comparison.