<p>I got accepted early action to Michigan engineering. It is my top school, however it also tops the list in price. I'm an out of stater and im figuring I will have at least 200k or so debt to pay off by graduation. I will hear back from Wisconsin in a few months and I hope to get a decent merit scholarship there. Let me know your opinion. Is the Michigan degree worth the money? Is Michigan too good of an opportunity to pass up?</p>
<p>Don't borrow $200k for undergrad. Anywhere. Period.</p>
<p>I would not assume a merit scholarship from UW at any time as they are few for freshmen. But depending on the area of engineering you can easily do as well or better at UW. UM does offer some areas that UW does not (aerospace for one). UW will be at least $10K less.</p>
<p>Also got into Ohio State. Could go there and borrow no money. I guess its bang for my buck.</p>
<p>Now, now barrons. Michigan is significantly better than Wisconsin in engineering. You cannot easily do as well or better at Wisky. That's simply not true since the PA of Michigan in engineering overall is 4.4 and the PA at Wisky is 4.0. However, as much as I can't stand TUOS, a freebee for college at any Big Ten school is nothing to sneeze at.</p>
<p>At Ohio State, you are likely to get merit aid being in state. OSU is not as good a school as Michigan (it pains me to say that being an OSU grad); however, OSU still has a good engineering program. There is not a big enough difference in the educational level to justify going to Michigan. I know someone who looked at the program at Michigan and ended up going to Illinois instead because she said the engineering department at Michigan was inconveniently located.</p>
<p>Did you look at Case Western? Maybe too close for someone in Akron, but great engineering school that gives out a ton of merit aid.</p>
<p>Case is a little close, therefore i did not consider it at all in my college search. I'm looking to go "big time" in engineering, and I know Michigan is where engineering is happening. The only thing i feel thats a downer for osu is it seems too football oriented. They should use more money for their programs. All in all, the ends must justify the means. If it costs more for a better experience I am willing to amass debt.</p>
<p>Illinois and Michigan are pretty much peers in engineering overall, with the slight edge to UIUC. I can see a student going to Illinois over Michigan for engineering from OOS. TUOS is significantly weaker in engineering than Michigan, Illinois, and Wisconsin. It all depends what you want to get out of your years in college and on where you feel you'll be most happy. Michigan and Wisconsin are OOS and expensive for you and will all cost way more than $0.00 at TUOS. So if you want to go to your in state school, i wouldn't blame you. But to save some money, when you're already shelling out big bucks to go OOS anyway, and not attend your dream school really doesn't make much sense to me.</p>
<p>Football >>> Academics</p>
<p>:P</p>
<p>thanks for your feedback. To clear things up i wouldnt be able to go to OSU for free. Just tuition there is slightly less than my high school's. thanks for your thoughts so far. Any one else feel free to comment.</p>
<p>200k for Undergrad? NO.</p>
<p>Go to where you can for the best price for the quality, wherever that may be. Save money for grad school, if you are pursuing engineering you are going to need one.</p>
<p>go to OSU. 200k in loans will cripple you and ruin your life.</p>
<p>Hanna gave you good advice. It's much harder to save $200K on your salary to pay back your student loans.</p>
<p>200K? how much are your parents willing to pay?</p>
<p>PorterGoBlue, how will you end up with over $200k of debt? Michigan will cost under $200k and I assume your parents will at least help out alittle. And if they cannot, then you can definitely expect some sort of financial aid. In the end, you should not finish with more than $120k debt. But that is still TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE. Even $50k debt is WAY TOO MUCH. $20k-$30k is ok, but anything over that is crippling. </p>
<p>Definitely go to OSU. Their engineering programs may not be as good as those at Michigan or Wisconsin, but they are still very decent.</p>
<p>Rjkofnovi, Michigan and Wisconsin are virtual peers in Engineering.Yes, Michigan is slightly better in Engineering, but not by a large margin.I wouldsay Wisconsin for $150,000 over 4 years is probably a better deal than Michigan for $180k over 4 years...if money is a concern. And in Chemical Engineering, Wisconsin is actually slightly better than Michigan.</p>
<p>To add to the chorus of voices--do not put yourself in that much debt. It would be crippling to your future choices and financial status for decades down the road.</p>
<p>^ Agreed.</p>
<p>tOSU Engineering degree >>>> Michigan Engineering degree + $50-200k in student loans.</p>
<p>Kids need to realize student loan debt is not forgiven in bankruptcy if you run into hardship...you are saddled with it until you pay it. Also, if you need to borrow that much you likely will need private student loans vs. government backed loans which carry a much higher interest rate.</p>
<p>Since your career goal is engineering, you will get the same job opportunities graduating from Ohio State and Michigan. Both grads will be in demand and earn the same starting pay. The only difference is that Michigan may attract more prestigious employers for on-campus recruiting. However, an Ohio State degree can get you the same jobs...but you may have to do a bit more leg work.</p>
<p>PorterGoBlue, did Michigan give you a financial aid package? I'm surprised it will cost you $200,000 over four years.</p>
<p>They are preparing a package and will send it hopefully sometime in early February. The stock market has shrunk my parents savings to roughly 20k. I really liked Michigan much more than OSU, and i have yet to visit Wisconsin. I have looked into becoming a Michigan resident so that I will can pay instate and benefit from state aid. How hard is it to change residency? (I assume its not easy or everyone would do it)</p>
<p><<the only="" thing="" i="" feel="" thats="" a="" downer="" for="" osu="" is="" it="" seems="" too="" football="" oriented.="">></the></p>
<p>Don't assume that since Michigan has not beaten OSU in several years that they are NOT football oriented! :)</p>