Importance of university prestige for undergrad Eng/Sci degrees?

College Search & Selection
1

<p>After searching this forum, I found many threads that answered most of my questions, but I still have one glaring one that I'd like answered:</p>

<p>In science, engineering, and math fields (specifically, computer, mechanical, electrical, and physics), what are the differences between the different tiers of universities? </p>

<p>I understand that much of what matters is your opportunity for research, but how does this vary between tiers, and how are grad school admissions, recruitment, and hiring different from tier to tier?</p>

<p>The tiers I mean, which I've created from the USNews rankings, are:</p>

<p>Tier 1: Top 10 (Michigan)
Tier 2: Top 20 (Texas, Wisconsin)
Tier 3: Top 40 (Minnesota, Florida)
Tier 4: Top 75 (Iowa)</p>

<p>In parenthesis I've listed the schools that I'm considering from each tier, in case that makes a difference. I'm considering each school for different reasons, so it's pretty important to me to know the differences between these schools, as well as at what point the school's prestige will really "hurt" my grad school admissions, recruitment, and hiring.</p>

<p>Any insight would be much appreciated.</p>

2

<p>Prestige don’t matter when it comes to engineering and sciences. What matters is availablity of opportunities with research, internships and work experiences. It all depends what you make of it.</p>

3

<p>I don’t think grad schools or employers would use tiers as you have done. Putting Minnesota and Florida as “tier 3” is silly.</p>

<p>A strong student from Minn, FL, or Iowa can get accepted anywhere.</p>