CU Boulder vs Virginia Tech for Engineering?

College Search & Selection
1

Hi, I’m having trouble deciding between these two schools, and would greatly appreciate some feedback/ personal opinions or experiences with them.

I got accepted to both of their engineering programs (planning on Aero, but not certain), and have visited both campuses. Because of the scholarships and grants I’ve been offered, the prices are very similar, so luckily money isn’t really a factor for me.

I like VT because it has fantastic engineering, good job placement, high average starting salaries for engineers, and it seems like a very inclusive, positive student body. Everyone who goes to VT seems to always love the hell out of it.

My main concern with VT is that it’s basically in the middle of the Appalachian mountains, hours away from any major cities and pretty isolated. The town of Blacksburg is tiny in comparison to Boulder, does it ever get boring, or are there things to do?

I liked CU Boulder because it has the same high quality engineering program (or so I’ve been told), good job placement and decent starting salaries for its engineers. I also love how its in a great small city, and so close to the major city of Denver.

My main concerns with CU boulder are that i’ve heard its a bit of a party school, I’m not sure how its professors are (or VT’s professors either for that matter), and I’m wondering how its job placement is compared to VT’s, because its starting salaries are a bit lower than VTs.

I’ve been stuck between these two schools for a few weeks now, I like different things about each of them, and im not sure how to weigh the pros and cons.

Thanks to anyone who responds! I really appreciate it!

2

Boulder DOES have the reputation of a party school - but make no mistake: its engineering students work hard. (And after mid-terms and finals, some chose to play hard, too.) You also hear comments that Boulder attracts a lot of “rich California kids” who go to there for the skiing - and the partying. But keep in mind - it’s a big school. You can decide who you hang out with. There are plenty of serious, committed students there who have no problems avoiding the drunken party scene. Also, Boulder has really cracked down on the partying - it’s not what it used to be ten years ago.

About salaries - they might be a bit lower than VT’s because the cost of living in the Mountain States is lower than in many parts of the Northeast, and it’s a weak union state. Salaries here have traditionally been lower than on either coast.

Technology is booming in Colorado and, obviously, throughout the west. The engineering students I know have no problems getting good jobs.

For you, the biggest question may be where do I want to spend 4 years of my life, Boulder or Blacksburg.