Cost v. Prestige (UMich v. TAMU for MSEE)

Hi guys,

I’m a Texas resident here who has gotten acceptances from these two universities so far. Michigan is ranked quite a bit higher than TAMU, but tuition is 45k out of state versus TAMU’s like 10k. I did apply for a thesis option, since I’d like to aim for R&D or design after grad school. I’m wondering if the difference in prestige (and I’m assuming opportunity if I decide to go for a PhD later on… much later on) is worth it? TAMU has more work/research in the area I’d like to specialize in (power electronics/motor drives and general RF/emag stuff). I feel a little shallow even considering UMich simply for “prestige”, but…?

If it matters, I did my undergrad at UT Austin. I’m not sure if it’ll be perceived as a “step down” by attending TAMU.
Man, I really do feel shallow about bringing this up. No offense meant to any Aggies out there.

Any help would be great guys, thank you for reading!

Oscar

Nope, getting into a PhD program is not a function of the prestige level of the college you went to. It is a matter of whether you show ability to conduct research and/or scholarship and a matter of finding a graduate program with a good fit to your related experiences as an undergraduate. Most mid sized and larger universities will have academic opportunities that could lead to being accepted to a PhD program.

Hi lostaccount,

Do you think there is any benefit in terms of career/job searches when it comes to choosing one over the other? I’m aiming for R&D/design positions - stuff like Sandia National Labs or Boeing R&T. I’m not familiar with how these schools are perceived from non-Texas standpoint.

Thanks again!

Oscar

Texas A&M generally has a really excellent reputation in engineering. And just taking a glance at a couple different sources (USNWR, NRC) Michigan is not ranked that much higher than Texas A&M in engineering generally or in materials science. In the engineering rankings, for example, they are separated by 4 places, which is a negligible difference.

TAMU sounds like a great fit - more work in your interest area and a much cheaper price. I’d go there.

I agree that it doesn’t make sense to pay all that extra money to go to Michigan. I can tell you that Sandia really doesn’t care about prestige. The most represented schools at Sandia for MS engineers are probably UNM and NMSU. I have worked with several engineers at Sandia (MS and PhD) from both UT and TA&M. Sandia has had at least two vice-presidents (including the current Exec. VP) from TA&M. By far the most important thing for Sandia for an MS degree is both your undergraduate and graduate GPA. They have a hard requirement of at least a 3.5.

I am pretty sure Boeing (as well as any other Midwest, West, or Southwest company) also has graduates of all the large universities with engineering degrees in the nearby states.

Have you checked with the Career Center at TA&M? I would be very surprised if both of these companies did not recruit on campus there.

Even if you decide to look for jobs elsewhere, I don’t think it would matter.