Final Decision; University of Missouri-Columbia or Iowa State University?

College Search & Selection
1

<p>Well, it's time for me to make a decision. Instead of taking a leap of faith, hopefully I could receive some insight or opinions first. I've narrowed my choices down to two universities: University of Missouri-Columbia and Iowa State University.</p>

<p>-I've been accepted into the computer science program in both universities.
-Both universities will cost roughly the same.
-I love both campuses.</p>

<p>Specifically in engineering and science, Iowa State's program seems to prevail over University of Missouri's, however U of Missouri's overall reputation seems to be better. Iowa State offers a (BS) in Software Engineering with a minor in CS -- would this make me stand out when time comes to apply for jobs or should I rather just stick to a (BS) in CS? Also, with regards to interships, recruitment, shadowing, ect..., which university might have better opportunities?</p>

<p>-Even if not answering some of my specific questions, what is your overall opinion of each university?</p>

2

<p>Have you asked each department and the career centers at each university about placement for internships and jobs after graduation? Drop each of them an email, and ask. it really, truly is OK to do that.</p>

3

<p>I think Iowa State has a better reputation in engineering/CS than Missouri. </p>

<p>I don’t think a BS in Software Engineering would be better for job placement than a degree in CS. I’ve never heard of such a major before, and I hire CS and EE grads.</p>

4

<p>In the US News ranking, Mizzou is 97 and ISU is 101. Virtually no difference.</p>

<p>In the Acadmic Rankings of World Universities, Iowa State is ranked in the 151-200 range. Mizzou is ranked in the 201-300 range. This is a rough measure of overall research and faculty strength and Iowa State comes out ahead in this ranking.</p>

<p>[Search</a> or Select universities in Academic Ranking of World Universities](<a href=“http://www.shanghairanking.com/Search.jsp]Search”>http://www.shanghairanking.com/Search.jsp)</p>

<p>Iowa State hosts some of the largest career fairs in the nation. Their College of Engineering and College of Ag fairs are huge and attract students from other schools in the Midwest. Many of the recruiters for these fairs are also looking for computer people. They also have a large Liberal Arts and Sciences/business fair.</p>

<p>Of all the universities we looked at…U Iowa, U MInnesota, Arizona State U…ISU has the best set of career services.</p>

<p>[Engineering</a> career fair returns to Iowa State - Iowa State Daily: Special Sections](<a href=“http://www.iowastatedaily.com/special_sections/article_af7fa3ec-714a-11e2-ba44-001a4bcf887a.html]Engineering”>http://www.iowastatedaily.com/special_sections/article_af7fa3ec-714a-11e2-ba44-001a4bcf887a.html)</p>

<p>[Tips</a> to prepare for career fairs - Iowa State Daily: Special Sections](<a href=“http://www.iowastatedaily.com/special_sections/article_44b12d5e-7188-11e2-bb80-001a4bcf887a.html]Tips”>http://www.iowastatedaily.com/special_sections/article_44b12d5e-7188-11e2-bb80-001a4bcf887a.html)</p>

<p>My son will be attending Iowa State in the fall and turned down several higher ranked schools.</p>

<p>In spring 2012, Iowa State graduated 19 students in software Engineering. 18 of the 19 had jobs with an average salary of $68,000 per year.</p>

5

<p>This is most insightful as my daughter and I recently visited Iowa State and loved it. Tell me, what kind of reputation does the ISU Business School have, particularly in Accounting. Thanks for your feedback!</p>

6

<p>Iowa State business school has a good reputation throughout Iowa and into Kansas City, Minneapolis, and Chicago. My brother graduated from ISU with a degree in finance 12 years ago and found a job in Chicago. He is 14 years younger than I am, makes double what I make. It doesn’t have the rep of U Wisc, UIUC, U MN but is an easier admit. </p>

<p>Here are the accounting placement stats for ISU from 2011 (collected right after graduation)…
171 Grads…45 went to grad school; 6 were unemployed, the remaining grads were employed; median salary $44,500. Iowa State does a great job tracking graduates (far better than the U Iowa). Here is the link to their business placement data…</p>

<p>[Employment</a> Statistics | Business Career Services - Iowa State University](<a href=“http://www.business.iastate.edu/careers/Annual_Report]Employment”>http://www.business.iastate.edu/careers/Annual_Report)</p>

<p>The University of Iowa, which has a higher ranked business school, reported a median salary for accounting grads of $44,800.</p>

7

<p>Ames is much nicer than Columbia in my opinion</p>

8

<p>Given equal costs, campus feel and fit, I would go to Iowa State for CS/engineering. Can’t go wrong either way though.</p>

9

<p>Not to hi-jack the thread, but what are your opinons on UIUC vs Mizzou.
I live in Illinois, but Mizzou would actually be cheaper for me (and likely more fun since I have someone to room with in an apt).
Econ major</p>

10

<p>Well, UIUC is where I would have went had I not received a denial. In terms of rankings, U.S news has UIUC as #31 in econ and Mizzou at #72. However, the rankings shouldn’t be the sole factor. If Mizzou is cheaper and the better fit, then go there.</p>

11

<p>UIUC is in a different class than Mizzou and Iowa. </p>

<p>However, don’t lt that alone determine what you choose.</p>

12

<p>Toss out the US News Report drivel and investigate a school’s reputation and what they actually do for students in terms of career success. It’s anecdotal, but executives I know from Chicago speak very highly of Iowa State. And engineering at ISU is notoriously rigorous, maybe even of the “weed out” variety.</p>

13

<p>In looking at the data, it appears that at least 30% of the frosh that enter as engineering majors never get a degree in engineering so there is certainly a weeding out.</p>

<p>About 50% of the degrees that ISU grants are in STEM fields…agronomy, CS, horticulture, forestry, zoology, etc. It makes for an environment where a good percentage of the students take their studies pretty seriously.</p>

14

<p>I’m definitely leaning towards Iowa State! I’ll do more research and also thank-you to everyone who took the time to respond!</p>