<p>SCO123, since you are going to major in Mech Engineering, find a university that has a good engineering school. Employers know where the good grads come from, more about the individual college than the overall prestige of the Univ. Also remember that cost of living is more expensive on the coasts like California or New York.
Do you want to live in a college town or a larger city?</p>
<p>Big Ten schools are a good place to look,
Purdue, Wisconsin, Ohio State, Illinois etc.</p>
<p>Also take a look at Univ Cincinnati (largest freshman international class this year),
Pittsburgh, Univ of Illinois-Chicago.</p>