My biggest problem is I’d have to go oos to major in aerospace and I’m wondering if I should just get a mechanical degree.
It depends on how intrigued you are about the unique features/skills of an aerospace degree and how averse you are to going out of state. On the first question, I have no clue, but there are several here who are either AEs or in the industry as non-AEs who could answer this question: What do AEs do that other engineers, particularly MEs, can’t? If that response resonates with you in a “yea, that’s what I really want,” then you’ve really answered two question. You’re going OOS. If not then ME is a great option and that decision doesn’t mean you have to rule out OOS. There are lots of personal growth opportunities that come with being away from home. Good luck!
Take a look at the in-state school you would be attending. Examine what is available under their ME program. Do they have courses that cover the AE material? It takes some digging but it’s worthwhile to look at the details. No one can answer your in-state/OOS question for you since that involves finances. Does your state have a reciprocity program with a neighboring state?
If you want to do aero, a master’s would really help anyway. I would go with a cheaper BSME over an expensive BSAE any day.
The only way I could afford a masters is if I do a five year master program which if in aero again means going oos.
5 years x $25K at OSU = $125K
4 years x $45 at Gtech = $180K
4 years x 25K at OSU (BS ME) + 2 years at GTech x $45K (MS AE) = $190K and you have a Gtech masters …
As skeptical as I am of the average student getting a BS in 4 years, a 5 years masters program is really a potential killer unless you have a lot of AP or CC credit going in, very good skills and work habits and are willing to work your tail off junior, senior and year 5. My 6 year plan is much more doable …
I think the amount of money you earn in those 2 years not spent getting a masters is likely frittered away on an adult (non-campus) lifestyle, a car, fun
If you play your cards right then you won’t have to worry about paying for a master’s degree. Either it gets paid by an employer or it gets pis by the school in exchange for being a research/teaching assistant.
It’s going to be a stretch I only have 90 k in my college fund
As boneh3ad noted, an engineering masters should not come out of YOUR pocket, it should be paid by the university or an employer. Spend your college fund on undergrad, and try hard not to build debt!
Well my parents offered to help me out but I don’t know how much help they will actually give.
Right but our point is that should be totally irrelevant in the context of graduate school (should you eventually decide to go that route).
So in your opinion I should do my undergrad in ME and than get my masters in Aero.
No, I’m saying there’s no reason to consider a hypothetical MS in your present financial plans. Should that ever happen, you can likely do it with no money out of your own pocket.
There’s no guarantee that you will want to get a graduate degree 4 years from now so I would not make your decisions now based on the assumption that you will go that route. Pick a field of study that will allow you to get into jobs you would like with just the BS. Maybe that is ME and maybe that is AE; I can’t answer that for you. You can definitely work in the aerospace sector with an ME degree, though (or practically any other engineering degree for that matter).
@elena3142, what state are you from? Are you GPA and test scores pretty strong?
I’m an oregon resident. My Gpa isn’t great because I had leukemia which caused major craziness including missing a year of school. Now I’m in a dual enrollment program and I have a 3.75 Gpa overall and a 4.0 at my community college.
Oh and I haven’t tookeh the SATs or Acts yet
Go Beaves!!! 
There’s no AE, but they have a respected ME program and a robust COOP program. It was my son’s safety school since we are from OR too. Total cost of attendance is $108k, but that’s without merit aid and you’d likely get at least some.
http://mime.oregonstate.edu
https://www.mecopinc.org
OR, New Mexico State as WUE exchange school option.
With WUE you pay 150% of instate. At some WUE schools, it’s competitive, but at NMS, it isn’t and you don’t have to keep a crazy high GPA to keep it. With WUE, 4 years there would be just under $90k total for all expenses. They are ABET accredited in AE and ME. Unlike Corvallis, Las Cruces has 350 days of sunshine per year.
Both are good, affordable options.
Thanks for the frugal options. My dads quite well off and doesn’t want me to worry about the price of that education. Going off that assumption what other schools would you suggest?
Wait, I thought the whole point was to stay within $90k based on your previous comments and concerns about the costs of going OOS.
If there are no constraints, then you need to give us some more guidance. ME or AE? School size? Max budget? Hobbies? Weather? States you won’t go to? How far from home? Etc.
AE. I don’t care about school size but a friendly atmosphere where I wouldn’t get bullied would be great. I would like there to be a strong support for woman in engineering. Would like it to be liberal so I avoid most schools in the south. Weather isn’t a factor for me cause I’ve lived it all. Far from home would be to keep it within the U.S.