Columbia or Penn for Engineering?

College Majors Engineering Majors
1

<p>I want to study either Materials Science/Engineering or Electrical Engineering (or something else, undecided)</p>

<p>I know Cornell is the best Ivy for engineering, and many schools like Northwestern, Michigan, Illinois beat both Columbia or Penn in engineering.</p>

<p>But forget that. Which is better between Columbia and U Penn?</p>

2

<p>In 2008, according to US News</p>

<ol>
<li>Columbia 3.7, 29. Penn 3.5</li>
</ol>

<p>Not much difference.</p>

<p>Specific engineerings:</p>

<p>Biomedical: 5. Penn, 23. Columbia
Chemical: 20. Penn, no Columbia
Electrical: 20. Columbia, no Penn
Materials: 15. Penn, no Columbia
Industrial: 18. Columbia, no Penn</p>

<p>Make of it what you will…</p>

3

<p>I really think, that since these two programs are closely ranked, that you should pick between the two based on different factors (other academics that interest you, rigor, class requirements, campus vibe, city, etc.).</p>