Good Cheap Engineering Schools in Texas

College Search & Selection
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<p>I already have a BA in English and a Masters in Library and Information Science, but after working as a public librarian for 6 months, I know this is not how I want to spend the rest of my life. I helped with an engineering summer camp last summer and really enjoyed it. Ever since I’ve been wondering if I was premature in deciding to become a librarian (it happened when I was 13). Because I already had my degree though, I thought I should at least try to use it. <sigh> So I had a lay off scare a couple of weeks ago and when I thought I was about to be laid off, all I could think was that now I have a chance to study engineering and that’s been a bit of a wake up call. But I digress…</sigh></p>

<p>Since I already have a Bachelors, I’m not eligible for grants. So I’m looking for a good engineering school I can afford. I’m going to major in mechanical engineering, but I’m also interested in energy engineering. I’m also looking for a school whose tuition and fees are under $6,000 per year and who have some sort of international exchange program. I’m moving up to Dallas in the fall to take the prereqs and some basic classes through DCCCD before I jump feet first into an engineering major at any of these schools.</p>

<p>My current top 5:</p>

<li><p>TAMU : Probably a pipe dream, but they do have a energy engineering certificate, international study opportunities, strong alumni network, and a good reputation. Unfortunately, the students are also more traditional (aka under 22 yo) and I might feel a bit uncomfortable as a 27 year old around all the kids and its expensive with few opportunities for part time work. </p></li>
<li><p>UNT: UNT have a BS in Mechanical and Energy Engineering, is close to Dallas (where my family are), is reasonably priced, and I got my MLIS there so I know some ins and outs of the school. They also have a lot of commuter students, so I wouldn’t feel like a granny around campus and I’m not worried about finding a job in Denton or Lewisville. Also, they are only ABET accredited for Computer Engineering and have a really ugly library.</p></li>
<li><p>TAMUK: Reasonably priced, I’ve heard its easy to get into. It’s also in Kingsville which means no part time work and an ugly area.</p></li>
<li><p>UT Tyler: Good price, easy entrance, pretty area, could probably find a job. </p></li>
<li><p>UT Arlington: I know they hosted a robotics competition I took my little sisters to a few years ago. Um, and they are in the metroplex and I don’t think they are too expensive…</p></li>
</ol>

<p>So does anyone else have any suggestions for cheap state universities with good engineering programs, or any comments or disqualifications for my current top 5?</p>

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<p>Texas A&M and UT-Austin are the best state schools for engineering in Texas</p>

3

<p>The advantage to you, since this is your second bachelors, is that you’ll be considered to have completed all your “gen-ed” or core classes. You’ll only need to do the classes required for your major. That’s going to help, money-wise. </p>

<p>UTA and Texas A&M are the two best engineering schools in Texas. Both are state schools, so relatively speaking, are inexpensive, but both may be above your threshold. Other really good engineering schools in TX, although they may be too expensive, are Baylor and Trinity U.</p>

<p>One other thing you can think of doing to save a bit of money is to start taking math classes now, at your local community college. Engineering requires that you have a certain level of math, and if you don’t have that math, you can start on that path now. Math classes do have a tendency to transfer, but still, contact the unis you’re interested in now to make sure that this plan is practical for those schools in particular. CC tuition is cheaper than uni tuition, so this may help.</p>

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<p>Thanks for the input pierre0913 and RoaringMice.</p>

<p>ITA on Community Colleges RoaringMice. My fav is DCCCD(Dallas County Community College District) because they are big and have atriculation (sp?) agreements with almost every school on my list, and are cheap at only $41 an hour. I taking as many basics and prereqs there are possible so I don’t intend to get to a university until Fall 2010. I’ll take through Calculus 3, basic Chem, technical writing, CAD, and the 2 physics classes that are part of most any mechanical engineering program at DCCCD. While I shouldn’t need to take most of the core, the core for a BS in Engineering is different from a BA in English (also why I’m looking at baccalaureate programs rather than masters) and it’ll still take me 4 years to complete since so many of the courses require a certain sequence.</p>

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<p>Why aren’t you considering UT-Dallas? Definitely known for a strong engineering program.</p>

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<p>RICE.</p>

<p>They have world-class engineering programs for a cheaper, private school price.</p>