<p>Reviewed many excellent threads with interesting dialog of these schools in many engineering fields.</p>
<p>U of I has an excellent reputation with prospective employers nationwide,
large diversified school, typical larger class size, good value if in state, out-of state tuition is $24K</p>
<p>Rose Hulman, family oriented, small school, smaller class size, more individual help, reputation where it needs to be, students seem happy, tuition $27.5K
Seems to have a great reputation overall, not sure about computer science.</p>
<p>Anyone have any insight on comparing the quality of computer science related classes within their respective engineering departments ?
Are their "big differences" in curriculum coverage and/or the quality of these departments? Has anyone compared and contrasted both schools in respect to computer science? Does anyone think employers will perceive differences between the quality of the college programs and to what extent ?</p>
<p>Both UIUC and RH are highly regarded for engineering and computer science. Both treat computer science as an engineering major (many colleges do not) with the result that you have science (chemistry and physics) and upper level math requirments that are considered typical for most engineering majors. Both offer the same type and a large number of CS courses and both have similar course requirements in the major. UIUC requires a senior project where you actually design programs and RH requires either a senior project or a senior thesis. Both have general education requirements (i.e humanities, social studies and like requirements although UIUC and not RH has a foreign language requirement). UIUC has somewhat more of a national reputation although not much more than RH if you focus on what employers think who are in engineering and software design. </p>
<p>College size is an obvious difference and you will get much larger classes at UIUC particularly in first two years. There is also an "English" difference. RH is careful to assure that the profs teaching you can speak understandable English. At UIUC, you will find both profs and teaching assistants (grad students) who struggle with the English language and may (probably will) get classes where the teacher is truly incomprehensible, although that can often be avoided by switching sections. Tenure for profs at RH depends on teaching ability and not research/publishing; tenure at UIUC depends on research/publishing and not teaching ability.</p>
<p>RH has a 4 to 1 male to female ratio; UIUC is about even. Terra Haute is a very unexciting small city; Champaign and Urbana are not that great either but lots happens because there are so many students, parties, nearby bars , clubs. As some say at UIUC, many engineering majors are saved from being truly dull persons by being entwined in a university with an LAS atmosphere.</p>
<p>Drusba's description is pretty accurate when it comes to the Rose side of things. </p>
<p>My introductory physics class at Rose has about 30 people in it, and it's taught by a professor. 99% of our professors have Ph.D's, and 99% of classes are taught by professors (I think the only exception is "College and Life Skills," a blow-off, 1-credit class that freshmen have to take...although there may be one or two more that I don't know about). I'm just starting, but so far I've not met any incomprehensible or "bad" teachers.</p>
<p>Drusba's somewhat correct about the social situation. While there aren't many girls at all on campus here at Rose, many Rose guys will socialize with the girls at Indiana State University, which is just a few miles down the road. We also have a lot of participation in clubs, and about 50% of our student body is Greek.</p>
<p>And, yes, Terre Haute is quite dull...</p>
<p>In terms of quality of education...I think that Rose will edge UIUC out in terms of actual teaching, and UIUC has a huge advantage in terms of research. Both programs are very rigorous, and both are nationally acclaimed. You really can't lose with either...you just have to ask yourself which environment you prefer more: large uni or small engineering.</p>
<p>Just something to add to the mix. It sounds like you would be out-of-state for UIUC and thus face that $24K tuition. Though UIUC has some merit scholarships, most of them are for the really high students and most provide little -- average between $1000 and $3000 a year. Moreover, need based aid is often not that good at UIUC either. It does not guarantee to meet 100% of need and often meets only between 60% and 80%. </p>
<p>Rose-Hulman tends to give merit aid to 50% or more of incoming freshman and the amount ranges from $3,000 to $15,000 a year and is based mainly on GPA and test scores (SAT or ACT; neither college requires nor uses SAT II's). And though it does not guarantee to meet 100% of need. it usually comes closer to doing so than UIUC. </p>
<p>Thus, if you have good grades and test scores, it is possible that your actual annual costs for RH will end being less than UIUC.</p>
<p>Also, a word on computers. If you are considering RH, you should not buy any computer between now and the time you enter. The college requires freshman to purchase a computer (laptop) from it so that all freshman have the same sytem and make and the cost is included in the first year's bill (and can be paid over time and is a cost considered in the mix for need based financial aid)</p>
<p>I am not sure how they compare - but you had better be sure you won't want to transfer into business if you go to hulman (goes without saying, but just something to consider if you are at all on the fence)</p>