Is Michigan worth ~30K/year more than UCSD?

College Search & Selection
1

<p>So I have heard back from all my colleges that I have applied to, and the top3 schools I got into are UCLA, UCSD, and Michigan (I am a California resident), all for mechanical engineering.</p>

<p>Financially, I am well off and I do not qualify for financial aid nor do I have any academic scholarships...so I will be paying full in-state prices for UCLA, UCSD, and full out of state price for Michigan. I've narrowed down my selection to UCSD and Michigan (I just like those 2 schools more for various reasons).</p>

<p>I know Michigan is ranked higher (on US News public university ranking, Michigan is 4 vs UCSD's 8, 29 vs 38 on overall list), does this gap warrant the 30K per year price difference that my parents will be paying?</p>

<p>My parents said they are willing and can pay full tuition for 4 years to either of these universities, but 51K (and 23K) are still 51K and 23K to spend a year. Will Michigan really open a lot more doors for me in mechanical engineering industry over UCSD?
PS: I am still young, but as of right now, I am considering going to grad school after undergrad and I would like to return to California after my schooling is done.</p>

2

<p>^Definitely Not!</p>

3

<p>Why can’t you go to UCLA ? Its better than San Diego. UCLA and Michigan are probably in the same level.</p>

4

<p>Stay in California. Best decision for you based on your comments.</p>

5

<p>No. Nothing against Michigan, just against 120k$.</p>

6

<p>As the others have said, UCSD should be your choice. Not worth it at all.</p>

7

<p>There is almost no school anywhere worth $100,000.00 more over the course of four years than a fine instate public option for an undergraduate education.</p>

8

<p>Thank you very much for your input everybody</p>

9

<p>Most posters forgot the fact that you are well off. Their reasonings might not be relevant.</p>

10

<p>If the OP weren’t questioning the relative value of the school, I would agree with you myboby123.</p>

11

<p>Go with UCSD.</p>

12

<p>The relative differences between these undergraduate programs are minimal if existant at all. </p>

<p>Just because you can spend an extra $100,000 for the same education doesn’t mean you should.</p>

13

<p>Only thing Michigan offers over UCSD is great sports and a college town. Not worth the extra money IMO. If you want sports, UCLA would be my choice… </p>

<p>UCLA is less of a commuter school than UCSD and there is much more to do.</p>

14

<p>goodengy, I assume you will be living at home if you attend UCSD, because attending UCSD if you live in dorms is supposed to cost $30k/year. Still, attending Michigan will cost you almost $100k more.</p>

<p>Still, for most people, that’s just too great an amount to pay. UCSD is an excellent university, and no university is genuinely worth $100k more than it. </p>

<p>However, if one’s family has the means to easily afford that $100k, and money is really and truly not a concern, I think Michigan may be worth it, if only for the overall undergraduate experience.</p>

15

<p>@Alexandre, so you’re saying Michigan would provide a better undergrad experience (does that mean academics)? Can you comment on the difference of quality between Michigan and UCSD’s engineering program, and if Michigan would open a lot more opportunities or teach me better?
Thanks</p>

16

<p>Michigan is NOT worth 30k/year more than UCSD. That being said, I suggest you reconsider UCLA. UCLA is amazing!</p>

17

<p>^^^So is Michigan. UCSD is a fine school, but it doesn’t offer the complete collegiate experience that Michigan does. For many people, that matter a great deal!</p>

18

<p>I think definitely attend UCSD for the lower price and if after attending you truly feel like Michigan would’ve been a better choice, then transfer.</p>

19

<p>We are looking at the same issue for my son. Out of State (Purdue Honors) tuition at roughly $27K vs. Michigan State (we have the MET or pre paid tuition plan) for engineering. Our MET will pay roughly $40K (total or less than a year and a half tuition) if we go with Purdue; whereas if my son goes to Michigan State, the tuition is is fully pre paid and we just pay room board and fees. </p>

<p>I am interested in what others think. Our “ego” is saying go to Purdue or the highest ranking college you can get into for undergraduate engineering. Wow that internal “ego” tends to really take over your thought process.</p>

<p>Common sense says, over my career I have met people with engineering undergraduate degrees from all schools. Where you go may get you an interview, but in the end it is the person that makes themselves in the world.</p>

<p>This is true from the top schools to the lowest schools. I have seen Harvard grads never make Management over their careers whereas kids form much lower (not even on the grid) schools make it well up the chain in promotions and a much higher salary and bonus.</p>

<p>I have one friend from Western Michigan University (Computer Science) end up a mega millionaire starting his own company</p>

<p>Also kids from less prestigious schools were sitting next to me at U of M for graduate Electrical Engineering. One gal who graduated with me (undergrad) with a less but rather equal GPA went onto to MIT.</p>

<p>Q: What would do you as a parent - send your kid to Purdue as it is in the Top of Michigan State engineering. The later saves us $100K - $125 in tuition.</p>

20

<p>I would definitely go with MSU for engineering and save the over 100K. Engineering is not as prestige driven as many other fields of study. Not worth the additional money IMHO.</p>