I agree with both statements. I majored in engineering, by the way.
The difference between OU and OSU engineering is probably less than it appears. Both are ABET accredited. OSU actually as a reputation for low placement of engineers… compared to U.Cincinnati and U.Dayton, and other many engineering schools in this region, but I do not know about OU. maybe ask @buzzlightyear3
If the student works hard over the summer and saves, and then tries hard to get some summer internships (paid!), then this may be doable at OSU if thrifty.
I don’t know how nasty OSU course fees are for eng’g and for text books
Thanks for the help everyone! My issue is that I would really like to attend college while taking out as few loans as possible, because even in-demand degrees aren’t guaranteed a job in this economy. I’m going to visit both schools again this month and talk to a few engineers and see what their opinions are on how much it matters where you go to school. Worst case scenario–I can always transfer!
@nrotcgrad, even without cost I don’t know if I want to go to Ohio State. I feel as though it could be too big and impersonal. OU’s campus is much prettier too, even if it is in the middle of nowhere, LOL. You said you majored in engineering? Where did you attend college?
I attended college at Auburn University in Alabama. However, I now live in Columbus, Ohio. I agree with you about OU having a much nicer campus than OSU. Indeed, OU reminds me a little of Auburn, and the city of Athens reminds me a bit of the city of Auburn. The main difference is that Auburn is fairly flat while OU/Athens is hilly.
If this was my choice, I would choose OU. In fact, of all the state universities in Ohio, I like OU best. The only exception is for studying business. Farmer at Miami and Fisher at OSU are both top notch.
Good plan!
Go with fit. Other folks on here have said that OSU’s engineering placement isn’t all that impressive compared to other OH publics (and it could be because it is bigger/more impersonal and more kids fall through the cracks). If OU is cheaper, all the better.
BTW, racking up a few thousand dollars in loans each year by a future engineer really isn’t a big deal.
The top cities for engineers by forbes had Dayton Ohio at #10 (the number of engineers per 1000 employees was 21,298). Not sure about the predominant engineering fields there.
A mecca for engineering jobs is #1 Huntsville,AL and #8 Decatur AL (Decatur is 20 miles west of Huntsville). You may not be too late for UAHuntsville scholarships - and UAH has excellent engineering. Perhaps if you still can qualify, this may be a great option you are looking for. www.uah.edu they have a chart for residents and non-residents, and it says with your stats 100% tuition scholarship.
Gosh @sparkly16 I hate that you didn’t inquire earlier in the year, as you would have gotten full 4 year tuition scholarship at University of Alabama (Tuscaloosa) plus $2500/year additional from engineering at UA (your stats would qualify you for both, and the eng scholarship is for 4 years, $10,000 total). So the eng portion can apply to some of the costs of room, board, books, supplies, fees. Much less out of pocket than what it seems at the OU choice. If you have a younger sibling or friends that are HS juniors, tell them.
Good luck. If you apply yourself well at any ABET accredited school, you will be successful. There are a good supply of engineering Co-op employers in Huntsville.
Dayton has a wide variety of engineering types due to the location of Wright-Patterson Air Force Base and the Air Force Research Labs - aero, mech, EE, materials, etc. Huntsville will be similar due to its proximity to NASA and Redstone Arsenal.
I believe this is correct… not too late. UAH is really cheap too. Very low room and board (the dorms are all fairly new). Huntsville is a nice, prosperous city. The most sophisticated city in Alabama. I know, because I grew up there. Take a look:
http://www.uah.edu/admissions/undergraduate/financial-aid/scholarships
http://www.uah.edu/admissions/undergraduate/financial-aid/costs
According to the UAH website, you would get free tuition. Room and board would be well under 10K. I do believe you still have time.
The AL schools are a little less than OU, but with the extra travel, it may not be all that much less. Plus, since he seemed to only look at OH schools, he might not want to travel far. Some kids want to go away for school. Some want to stay close to home.
But go look at UAH anyway to see if it interests you.
UAHuntsville has some nice facilities, good student body, capable faculty, and with the depth of engineering programs (through doctoral level) I think this student will find he has a great option. If the student has a car, driving home is feasible, and planning ahead airline travel is pretty affordable. If I was the parents, I would definitely have the student apply and schedule a campus visit. If it comes to a higher priced school desired but not affordable versus going OOS, that would have to be decided if he then wants to ‘settle’ on choice C, OU to stay close to home. I get the impression the assumption was made that in-state would have been more affordable than OOS.
I’m surprised nobody has mentioned UC and its engineering and co-op program. I know a young man who is absolutely thriving there in that program. Is it too late to apply and/or get merit there?
Thank you everyone for your input!
@nrotcgrad, have you worked with grads from both OU and Ohio State? If so, were they both well prepared for the work force or did the Ohio State grad outshine the OU grad?
@suzy100, I did look at UC and I liked their program. I won’t know about scholarships there until later because they don’t tell you your merit aid until you get your need-based, it all comes at once. I didn’t really like their campus much and felt like it was too much of a commuter school, even though it is undergoing a transition.
I also did look at some schools out of state but don’t want to go as far as Alabama, even though I’ve heard it’s a beautiful campus and its program is good too, and I knew about the scholarships. I looked at out of state schools a little closer to home (Purdue, Indiana, Kentucky, Pitt, Penn State, and Michigan State), but I think Ohio State or OU would be a better fit. Also, with how big Greek Life is at Alabama I would think I’d want to be a part of it, but dues are outrageously high that it would almost be as expensive as the tuition!
Also, I don’t want to give off the impression that I would be “settling” on OU. I love the campus and small town atmosphere, and everyone who I know who is either currently attending or graduated from OU absolutely loved it and have had successful careers in their respective fields. I’m just wondering if the big name recognition from Ohio State would lead to that much better of a job.
Not as an engineer, because I do not do engineering work anymore. However, what I have noticed is that OU grads are every bit as proud of their school as OSU grads. In fact, OU grads almost always get a smile on their face when they start to talk about the school. OSU grads are proud too, but not quite so delighted. OU grads love their school.
UAHuntsville is about 150 miles closer to you than UA (Tuscaloosa). It wouldn’t hurt to see how much cheaper the schooling is going to be there (and perhaps a better fit with your engineering studies). Good airport. Will you feel the same during your senior year as you feel now with being ‘closer to home’? Maybe 5 more hours by car from KY (at least that is the time from Louisville). Huntsville to Nashville is about 2 hours, and then 3 hours to Louisville.
I know students in Greek at UAHuntsville - not the big expense as at UA either.
Just food for thought @sparkly16 .