As the title clearly explains: I’m debating over the RPI & Northeastern University to transfer out to from my CC. Below is info that would help me decide on my chances for each, etc…
Some background information:
- I'm a 1st year CC student at a NYS Community College (CC) - looking to transfer out after graduation; Just trying to narrow my search down
- rankings wise for Computer/Management Information Systems (CIS/MIS), the RPI in Troy, NY is higher ranking than Northeastern University in Boston, MA.
- However; Job Placement wise; Northeastern University in Boston has better job placement rates than the RPI. As well as more things to do in the area (location wise). RPI might make up for this from their Reputation; The RPI is well-known for "smart students" (many news articles).
- RPI does offer internships/co-ops to do; Just not sure how heavily it's marketed or required to graduate from the school
**I have a direct relative (my brother) is a student at Northeastern.
Some of my stats include:
- I earned the LEAD Emerging Leaders Certification (helps a lot with landing college admissions, and jobs I hear)
- NOCTI A+ Certified Computer Repair Technician
- Lean Six Sigma Yellow Belt Certification from the vocational high school I attended & graduated from (IT/Computer Repair Program)
- current Honors Institute/Honors Program student at the CC, also Dean's list currently
- GRE not required until after I earn a BS in my program(s) (known fact)
When I applied as a freshman, I looked at both schools. A big factor that I don’t see you listing here is the social aspect: RPI is a very tech focused school - NEU has a much more academically diverse environment.
The location is also very different - Boston is going to offer a lot more to do. Between those two, despite RPI’s academics, I didn’t even end up applying to RPI while I am currently attending NEU. RPI will offer great academics, but both are of a comparable quality, even if RPI does have a slight edge.
If you don’t care about those differences, I think that RPI certainly does hold a bit of an edge. Their co-op program isn’t Northeastern’s, but it is pretty solid and won’t be unheard of as it would be at some colleges. In terms of postgrad, RPI will do well in the Northeast region (as will NEU, but I wouldn’t put it as a big advantage to it).
If co-op is a BIG factor, then yes, NEU does have an advantage there. It’s the real deal.
Hope some of that helps!
As you mentioned, RPI’s reputation in CS is quite high - lots of big IT companies, including the West Coast ones, recruit there. I can’t verify this, but my daughter (a freshman at RPI) recently told me that 100% of the CS grads get hired out of college. Its average salaries are high; its job placement, co-op services and alumni network are also quite good. If you want to be near a big city and work in Boston post-grad, go with NEU. But for academics and post-grad jobs in general, I’d pick RPI.