Is it worth it to go to UF?

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Florida
1

Hi, I’m currently deciding in between USF and UF, and my intended major is Civil Engineering.
However, I do want options as that may change, and I know that UF has twice as many engineering majors to choose from than USF.
Problem: Though UF is ranked higher in terms of its engineering department, and has more major options, I’d have to take out about 6000 in loans/year and the other 2000 will have to come out of parent pocket, which is hard. At USF, it’d be about 1000 in loans/year. That’s a large difference.
Another problem: I’ve heard that besides games and greek life, there isn’t much to do there. Especially considering the town it is in. Tampa sounds a little bit better.
Also, I’m not sure on if UF engineering students get more opportunities than USF engineering students…

So, are there more cons than pros for going to UF for engineering (vs USF), considering my situation? Honest answers, guys. Thanks!

2

Quick Answer: Think about going with USF. After two years, if you would prefer a major only offered at UF, then transfer. This would save you 1/2 the cost of going to UF.

3

EDIT: at USF, it’d be 4225 in loans/year.
@Gator88NE , true! Thanks!

4

Longer answer, now that I’m in my den, hiding from the wife as I “partake” in a Zaxby’s Birthday Cake milkshake (it does taste like cake!).

UF is worth a few more thousand a year over USF, just based on the better career resources, clubs, faculty to student ratios, design projects, etc. UF will spend more $ per student vs. USF, and that shows up in lots of different ways.

Educational and General Expenditures / FTE: UF: $44K vs. USF at $26.5K

http://www.■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■/search1ba.aspx?institutionid=137351,134130

UF has a better Freshman retention rate, graduation rate and a lower transfer out rate than USF. In general, UF students are very happy with their experience at UF.

Only 20% of undergraduates are in a Fraternity (21% a sorority), so you’ll find plenty to do while at UF that has nothing to do with Greek life. The key is to become engaged with Campus (the same at USF), join a few clubs and get involved.

Want to be a Mechanical Engineer? Join one or more of these 11 student organizations:

•AIAA - American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics
•ASES - American Solar Energy Society
•ASHRAE - American Society of Heating, Refrigerating & Air Condition Engineers
•ASME - American Society of Mechanical Engineers
•BMES - Biomedical Engineering Society
•Pi Tau Sigma - Honorary Mechanical Engineering Society
•SAE - Society of Automotive Engineers
•Sigma Gamma Tau - National Honor Society in Aerospace Engineering
•SSDC - Small Satellite Design Club
•MCAA - Mechanical Contractors Association of America
•MAE-GSC - Graduate Student Council

Then get involved with something outside your major, like a club sport, or outdoor club. Maybe something political? With close to 1,000 clubs, you’ll find lots of options (all funded through your student fee’s). Oh…and you will end up going to a sporting event and you WILL like it. If for no other reason, it’s a great excuse to hang out with friends.

Still, you do need to take debt seriously. Getting a job in engineering isn’t as dependent on your schools reputation as other schools, and USF can also offer many of the same advantages as UF. Having some debt is fine, but too much means you’ll start to limit your options after graduation.

Is UF worth $4K+ more a year? In general, yes, but not if’s more debt than you and your family feel comfortable taking on.

On the option to transfer. I’ve know a few kids that did it recently (in my daughter’s engineering sorority…), in this case it was from UCF, because UCF didn’t’ have the engineering major they wanted. It’s a perfectly valid option. Keep in mind that if you have a Freshman merit scholarship at USF, you would lose it if you transferred to another school. Also, being a transfer student at UF (about 25% of the engineering students are transfer students), means it’s even more important for you to get involved so you can make friends in your first semester on campus.

Good Luck!

5

thank you so much for a thorough response. I’m really new to this. In what ways would the debt limit options after graduation?

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Personally, I’d pay the extra 4K per year for UF. In the long run, that $16K, or so, isn’t going to be missed.

And, if you ever go out of state, UF is more well-known and respected than USF. There’s nothing wrong with USF, but all things being equal, I’d say UF is worth a little extra money.

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(To much) debt, can limit your choice. For example, you may feel that you have pass on grad school and first go get a job. You may feel you have to select a higher paying job over a slightly lower paying job that seems like a better fit. You may delay starting a family, or buying a house, or even a new car.

In the grand scheme of things, $32K in total debt ($8K a year) for UF isn’t a great burden for an engineering major (though it’s much more for, say and education major). Another way of looking at it, is that it’s only $16K more than USF.

Good Luck!

PS: if you end up working “engineering” internships for 2 or 3 summers, or doing a Co-op, you may be able to significantly reduce the amount of loans you’ll need as a Junior and Senior (at either school). If money gets tight, a co-op is a great option for an engineering student. Take advantage of UF’s excellent Career Resource Center.

http://www.crc.ufl.edu/students/studentInternshipsExternships.html

8

If the difference is only 1800/yr in loans (4225 vs 6000) go to UF. Well worth it. and G’ville has plenty to do for students.

9

These kind of posts show up often on CC. When it is UF vs FSU, there sometimes is good reason to pick FSU over UF, usually related to the Honors College and money issues. However, then if comes to UF vs USF, UCF, FAU, FIU, etc., there rarely is an instance where going to one of these schools is a better option than UF.

For the minimal price difference, go to the University of Florida. You will be glad you did.