<p>I've been accepted to Mechanical Engineering at UC Berkeley and the Pratt school at Duke, can't decide which one is better.
I've heard Berkeley has been having funding problems lately, and issues with large class sizes and such. It's ranked much higher than Duke in terms of engineering, but the undergraduate experience at Duke is supposedly superior, with great job placements and better chances of getting into grad school.
Any advice?</p>
<p>Berkeley’s school of engineering is much better. But the competition is strong, and the social atmosphere more austere. </p>
<p>Overall, if you are very smart and career focused, Cal is the better choice.</p>
<p>Regarding your concerns about funding, Berkeley has shored up its finances by increasing private donations, streamlining back office functions to save money, and passage of California proposition 30 has stabilized state support. Current students have not noticed much impact other than the higher tuition costs. </p>
<p>Berkeley has a much stronger mechanical engineering faculty and research than Duke. </p>
<p>What are the out of pocket cost differences for both options. In engineering, employers won’t pay a high premium because you shelled out big bucks to go to a more expensive school. Best to choose the best program for the cheapest price.</p>