Looking for advice/input on which to attend for Fall 2016 Freshman. Pos and cons of either? Accepted to both, with 20,000 yearly scholarship to Gannon but nothing offered from PSBehrend (ex. honors program which is honors housing and priority scheduling) . That makes Gannon 2-3K cheaper tuition-wise and son is considering commuting (we live about 15 miles from Gannon and about 20 miles from Behrend). We like Gannon’s price, but PSB seems to have nicer/more facilities for engineering. As for the commute, Both will be thru the Erie county PA snowbelt which is wicked. The drive to Behrend would be worse. But the main consideration is which is a better, more well-regarded program?
My son also got accepted to both. We are from Pitt so he will be staying on campus. Both have a great reputation. But my son always wanted to go to PSU so we are leaning towards that. Have him tour both and get a feel. 2-3k isn’t that much of a difference for an engineering degree. PSU is world known. Gannon is not. Mine is in the honors program too and wants computer science or software engineering and the facilities are phenomenal. Did you get your aid summary already?
Which would be cheaper if he decides the commute is too bad in the winter and wants to move closer?
Both are accredited by ABET, and that is what really matters for engineering majors. If he is concerned about job placement, he can chat up the departments and the career offices at both campuses.
Thanks, crazycat. We are going to PSB again on their accepted students day in a couple weeks to look again. No aid summary from PSB yet. Did you get one yet?
Thanks for your reply happymomof1! Gannon is still cheaper by several thousand, even if he would live on campus. They are giving him a break on the housing too. It’s hard to ignore! A few thousand adds up over 4 years! We have an older one in his second year of college, living at home to save $. And another to send to college in 3 years. He does want to talk to each of them about where they place ppl for internships. Both ABET, yes. My head says get the diploma from the place that you can live with that offers the best aid. Another consideration is - if he attends Gannon and really hates it he can transfer to PSB next semester- and the cost will be the same as it stands now - full price. But if the situation were reversed, the private schools like Gannon don’t offer that big carrot to transfer students.
@psychstew No Aid Summary yet. However we just got Gannons! I still think for us it will be less for PSU- we are going to the accepted student day also! I agree both are ABET so good programs, for you it will come down to cost and your S feel for each campus.
Can you afford dorming at either one?
That does not seem like a very good plan at all. First year of college is very risky for students. Having to navigate through risky snow seems like a terrible idea. The student will want to be on campus until late to be involved in the usual college life-and to study with others and perhaps work in research-then drive home in the dark in the snow, Seems risky to me.
MYOS1634 - Our way of affording dorming will be taking loans for some of the cost. :((
lostaccount - I agree, and it’s a serious consideration. On the flip side, we know several kids from our area who commute and it’s been OK.
Where are you with the decision? Any new admissions that came in?
Son leaning heavily toward Behrend. A check on the Lionpath account yesterday shows Son was awarded a “Behrend Excellence Award” !!! It is 1000 per semester. We are thrilled! Makes the cost of attendance to either nearly equal. (Hope it is renewable every year?). Son and I attended Accepted Student Day last Saturday and he talked to another engineering student there for an hour. I think it will be Behrend. As for new admissions, no, they were all in already. Accepted at Edinboro, Thiel, Allegheny, Behrend, and Gannon.
Thanks for the update!
Perhaps you should call Behrend and as if the Excellence Award is renewable every year.
Congratulations to your son! Lots of good colleges and great choices to have. 
I called today and was told it is only for freshman year, and “we will try to find scholarship money for him if he keeps his GPA at Behrend above 3.00.” Still happy, because we weren’t expecting any merit aid from them, and wow, nice surprise. I forgot to say before that he was accepted at Alfred University and was waitlisted at CWRU.