Duke vs. University of Florida vs. UMichigan Engineering

College Majors Engineering Majors
1

I was recently accepted at Duke, Michigan and the University of Florida Honors Program for engineering and I am trying to decide between them. I do not qualify for financial aid so Duke would cost ~$76,000 per year and Michigan would cost ~$62,000. At UF, I qualify for in-state tuition, I have Florida PrePaid and I was awarded a research grant of $2,000 so I will essentially be payed to attend school there. My parents are willing to pay for my undergraduate education, but if i went to UMich or Duke I would have to take out loans for my MBA.

I am planning on studying either civil engineering, computer science or biomedical engineering, and then getting my MBA. I want to study engineering and then apply those skills to a business setting.

I am worried that Duke and Michigan may offer better job recruitment post-graduation because of their extensive alumni networks that will help me get into the best MBA programs. At the same time, I don’t know if these schools are worth $200,000+ when I can get great regional connections from UF. However, getting into a top MBA school is one of my main priorities.

I have visited UF and UMichigan and loved the intense school spirit aspect of the schools and their respective college towns. I have heard that Duke is similar in that respect so I am not really worried about the fit. I think I could fit in and see myself at any of these three schools! My concern is more about the finances.

Please help me decide what to do!!! :slight_smile:

2

Go to U of Floridal since you are getting paid to go there. Let your parents have that extra cash for retirement, or you could use that funds for your MBA.

3

UF is a great school. There is very little advantage in engineering by going to a “better” school. No way is it worth $200k more.

4

In reality, it’s not $200,000 more. It’s $200,000 invested over the length of your career. You are deciding between investing that money in education versus something else. It’s called opportunity cost. When fully factored, you are talking multiple million dollars more to choose Duke or Michigan over Florida. Stick with the advice of others above, do well in school and set yourself up for a wonderful debt free life. Gator Chomp!