How much do undergraduate engineering rankings actually matter?

I’m currently torn between going to NYU(ranked 66 for undergrad engineering) and UIUC(6th for undergrad engineering).

What are you planning on studying and why do you need to be in New York now besides its New York?

UIUC is an engineering powerhouse. It’s not necessarily about the rankings, it’s about industry ties, recruiting, facilities, research dollars , etc…

I’d pick UIUC in a heart beat and then try to get summer internships in NYC.

What she said.

I was just curious on what your studying since your major at NYU might be ranked similar not the whole program. But as stated UIUC is noted in the industry for engineering. In this case I do think the school matters. Target internships in New York if you want that experience being there. Can always move there. With a UIUC engineering degree you could possibly live anywhere you wanted to. Think about that.

In another thread you said that you were admitted for physics to UIUC, and in another you mentioned an interest in a dual data-science/engineering degree. You also asked about double-majoring in Data Science and Engineering.

So: what are your decision metrics? are you dead set on engineering, or something in the physics/math/data/engineering/materials science end of the world? Are there cost implications? what do you want to do after undergrad?

Yes, in a straight comparison UIUC engineering trumps Tandon, b/c of the weight of its reputation. But, Tandon is a fine engineering school. Which is better for you comes down to what you want to do next- one more time! #collegeisnotthedestination

Cost of each?

Are you admitted to the desired major at each?

NYU is really expensive. UIUC is in the middle of nowhere.

Do you have another option?

If “no” I’d choose UIUC because of price.

Look at the rankings for the major you’re interested in, not just the entire program.

Look at the school’s support systems for student success (mentors, tutoring, recruitment from industries) and opportunities to personalize your experience through undergraduate research, student professional organizations, study abroad. Our family also considered programs that had a fast track to a master’s.

Consider the culture of the campus and town as a whole. Can you see yourself being part of that community for the 4 (or 5) years it takes to get an engineering degree?

And yes, cost should definitely be a factor, especially if you plan on going to graduate school.

If the OP is not directly admitted to the desired major, the more important consideration is whether it will be difficult to declare or change into the desired major. Ranking of the major does not matter if you cannot get into the major.

I’m not 100% set on engineering, but I am pretty set on doing something in science. I was admitted to mechanical engineering for NYU and physics for UIUC.

Very hard to transfer into engineering if your not a direct admit at UIUC

At UIUC, to get into an engineering major, you would have to change into pre-engineering:
https://dgs.illinois.edu/ict-to-pre-engineering

Then you would have to earn a high college GPA. The thresholds are 3.0, 3.25, 3.50, 3.75, or 3.75 + competitive admission, depending on the major. Mechanical engineering is one of those that requires a 3.75 GPA just to enter competitive admission (i.e. 3.75 GPA does not mean you are automatically admitted to the major).
https://dgs.illinois.edu/current-pre-engineering (click “major capacities”)

UIUC also has a much better physics undergraduate program than NYU.

HOWEVER, if you want to study engineering, NYU is a better choice, since you have already been accepted to engineering at NYU, while you may not be able to transfer to engineering at UIUC. If you want to study physics, than UIUC is the better choice.

If you are still not sure of the science field in which you want to major, it depends on costs. if you are a Illinois resident, UIUC will be far cheaper than NYU, and so that would be the best choice. Otherwise, it would depend on what you really want to study, and how easy it would be to transfer to that major at UIUC or NYU.

Since you didn’t get into the engineering, this is not that straightforward a decision. First NYU’s engineering is the old NY Polytechnic in Brooklyn. NY Poly has a good reputation but it’s more regional whereas UIUC would be more known, nationally. Any the campuses feel very different. Given that maybe being rural in these times I’d to to UIUC and have a backup plan if you don’t get into mech e.

Engineering rankings are meaningless if you haven’t been accepted to engineering. As noted above, it’s very hard to transition to engineering at UIUC if you aren’t a direct admit. You need to really think through what you want to study.