Do what you love and the money will follow.

Do what you love after all, money cannot buy you love or happiness!

Firstly it is your life, no one elses (even if they may be funding your education). Secondly, you are more likely to be successful at something you enjoy and can motivate yourself to study and work hard at and persevere with when times get tough than you are likey to be successful at something when your heart is not fully in it. Thirdly from what I understand there are similar subjects that need to be studied from early on so it is not essential to choose your pathway or specialise too soon, even if you chose engineering, there are many specialisms within that remember. Remember a career in astrophysics will be more likely to be in an academic environment where as engineering is more likely to be in industry, both of which are quite different working environments which is another consideration. My personal advice is to go with your heart and not your head on matters that are so integral to shaping your identity as an individual, this is an area that you must never compromise on. As far as money goes as long as you match your lifestyle to your earnings and live within your means, you will survive. If you are excellent at what you do, you will always be okay if you are sensible. However if having a lot of money and a flashy lifestyle is more important to you as an individual and you are certain that would be enough motivation for you to successfully pursue a career you don't really care about then, hey you may never be satisfied in the long run even if you do make it.

Ignore your friends and follow your dreams. You won't regret it.

astrophysics is exciting engineering-not so much