<p>Would it be worth it to go to CMU rather than UIUC because it is higher rated in CompE even tho im instate for UIUC? how do the two schools compare? (yes I know they are very different)</p>
<p>No idea on UIUC vs CMU. Nor do I make predictions. I do not make comments on ratings.
But some criteria:</p>
<p>Number of 5th and 6th year students for BS.
Number of students-faculty ratio in EC
Number of students in major.
Number of graduate students in EC.
Number of foreign students in both undergrad and grad.
Number of students in sophmore year vs senior year.
Number of courses in major available.
Number of double majors; in related or in nonrelated fields. (you need to get a commencement program)
Opportunity for paying interships, inschool research opportunities.
Number of students with paying internships and research positions.
Companies recruiting.
Jobs that students took on graduation.
Type of jobs taken. (there are a surprising # of engineers who are recruited into the financial industry-makes you wonder whether business or economics are minor majors; perhaps business/econ students are in the wrong majors.)
What AP scores get credited for course credit. </p>
<p>CMU dad with graduated ME son '06.</p>
<p>They are both good schools. A lot depends on what you mean by "worth it". If you would have to borrow $80K to attend CMU, it isn't worth it. If you can pay for CMU, but maybe not very easily, it's a different decision altogether. Maybe it would be worth it, then.</p>
<p>I agree with OneMom. Are you eligible for aid at CMU. e.g. My in-state tuition is equal to my Wellesley tuition after aid except I actually get to live on campus! You have to weigh your options, figure the positives and negatives.</p>
<p>bja1288,</p>
<p>I agree with OneMom and flutterbyhigh ... the two schools are both very good, with perhaps an edge given to CMU's CE program. I have dealt professionally with graduates and research staff from both schools, and you can't go wrong in either case. I don't think it's worth it to go into serious debt for CMU if you have UIUC as an option at less cost.</p>
<p>And...they are very different schools. If other factors are weighed in the decision, you need to consider them. Illinois is much bigger, in terms of students and campus--and it is in a smaller town compared to Pittsburgh. If sports are a consideration, Illinois has it all for D-I sports and school spirit. Carnegie Mellon has sports, but not the big-time programs, or a huge fan base. Those are just a few of the differences.</p>