I’m really struggling to choose a college. I plan on pursuing software engineering, does anyone have any comparison on a degree from Iowa State University vs from Milwaukee School of Engineering? Which degree is more worth it?
Both schools have different things I love about them and things I don’t like, so I’m just looking for reasons to choose one over the other. (Also, Iowa is giving me a lot more money, but they’re much further away from me). Any help on making a choice?
http://www.finaid.org/calculators/awardletteradvanced.phtml
The distance may be worth it.
My family would really prefer that I stay closer to home, MSOE is only an hour away while Iowa is about 5.5 hours. I know it’s about what I want, not my family, but it’s hard to think about going so far
Iowa State Electrical Engineering alum here who works in the software industry.
I think the major advantage with coming to ISU for any engineering degree is the national level recruiting that you get while you’re here. College of Engineering career fair is usually 300+ companies from everywhere from Califronia to New York. Its said to be one of the largest engineering career fairs in the entire country. I wouldn’t think MSOE can match that.
Plus, in general, Iowa State COE programs are very career focused. The college makes things like having an online portfolio, having to attend career fair, etc etc a graduation requirement, and counselors and professors talk to student very early (ie feshman year) about the importance of having internships before graduating college.
In terms of the software engineering program: its a very new and very small program compared to the rest of the engineering programs. A lot of the coursework overlaps with Computer Engineering, so most students that want to go into the software industry choose Computer Engineering with a software focus instead of a pure SE degree.
Hope that helps and feel free to ask me anything else.
Iowa state has a huge Industy reputation
for Mechanical engineering between the schools?
Go where you have the fewest loans and the lowest net cost.
My guess is that your parents imagine that if you attend MSOE you’ll come home or they’ll see you more. Ultimately, once you’re in college, you’re in college, not at home. Whether you live close or not, you won’t be going home and your parents won’t come “to visit” or “if there’s a problem”. You’ll be creating a life for yourself and you’ll find solutions to your problems. That’s part of being an adult, learning how to fend for yourself (sometimes relying on family advice via phone calls, but you’re no longer at home “needing” them and it’s very hard for parents.)
Both universities are good so in the end costs - especially how much you’d have to pay in loans after graduating - could make the difference.
I agree with MYOS1634 about looking at the net cost to you - but ALSO want to point out that you could look at UW-Milwaukee, which might be a good alternative to the higher cost at MSOE. Good Luck!