<p>How is the undergraduate civil engineering program at the University of Southern California, specifically the building sciences path? How does it compare to Cal Poly SLO? Lastly, how important would the "Trojan network" be for civil engineering?</p>
<p>Also, if anyone knows more about the building sciences emphasis there I would love to know how it compares to the purely structural emphasis that USC offers.</p>
<p>Sorry for all the questions but USC and Cal Poly SLO are my top choices and I already know slo is well known for their engineering so I want to know more about USC's civil engineering program.</p>
<p>If I had to choose between the two, I’d 100% go with SLO even if I got into USC.
After 4 years of USC, you’ll be in debt over $100,000!
After 4 years of SLO, you’ll be in debt only about $20-25K!</p>
<p>Both are good engineering schools and both will probably get you a job right away.</p>
<p>I would also go with SLO. But USC still has a good program for sure. I dunno where skbryan got his debt numbers from… But USC is over 50K per year while SLO is under 25K per year. So Cal Poly is a way better value unless you get a really good scholarship for USC.</p>
<p>USC… by far. Alumni connections is a MUST in today’s brutal job market. Plus you are in Los Angeles -a global city- and not a small isolated town of 44K. You get internships, co-ops, Orange County firms. Construction in the central coast? Forget it. After the market imploded construction in SLO ****y came to a halt.</p>
<p>Also, Cal Poly SLO, as part of the CSU has a great deal of funding problems.</p>
<p>Thanks for the info! Btw I am out of state so SLO would be about $30k/yr while USC would be about $55k/year, but I am hoping I can get the Deans scholarship there so it would lower that to about $45k/year. If you take out the prices, which would you choose? I really like the atmosphere and location of USC but I also know Cal Poly is great for engineering.</p>
<p>Are close to California? If you do not live too far from these universities make an appointment with the financial aid office at SC. Perhaps they might give you some idea of the financial aid available, if you are admitted.</p>
<p>If you apply by December 1, 2010 your application will be considered for merit scholarships. These are quite generous-but highly competitive. If you feel your scores, grades and ECs are top notch it would be to your advantage to apply for the merit scholarships. </p>
<p>Some students receive merit scholarships and financial aid, if they qualify. </p>
<p>My brother has a degree in civil engineering from SC. He felt well prepared to pursue a career in that field. He did not happen to take the building sciences emphasis.</p>
<p>Personally, I would tell you that USC is the better choice since you are going to pay OOS tuition at Cal Poly SLO. Both campuses and locations have a totally different feel. Once you visit each, you may not need my advice. Depending on what state you live in, there are some really good state flagship schools for Civil Engineering and, depending on your financial aid requirements, may want to look at your in-state options as well.</p>
<p>USC doesn’t offer an undergraduate degree in Petroleum Engineering. It only offers a graduate degree or an undergraduate minor in Petroleum Engineering.</p>