My son is a sophomore and is a good student at a good high school. He has developed quite an interest in science and in chemistry in particular. He is quite capable at math. We have been discussing what to do in life and my suggestion is that he try to obtain a strong intersection of what interests him and what he can make a living at. We are heading toward chemical engineering.
I have identified ABET accredited schools around us. I find all the rankings and how selective some schools are confusing.
I am an actuary by trade. I have been observing the academic backgrounds of who we have hired over the last decade and who has done well. I find no correlation between school and who we hire and their subsequent success. I think this is because actuarial work is primarily a technical area and you can obtain as much technical expertise at a private elite college as you can at a lower-rung public college; it is all up to the individual to capitalize on what is offered and push themselves to maximize their education. We have hired very good employees from both situations.
My discussions with my son have been along these lines, and cost is a significant factor in our search. My thinking os that my son will be far better off if he works very hard at a lower-rated college and leaves with no debt than if he goes to an elite school and leaves owing a lot of money. My priority is to make sure he leaves college with no debt.
Our oldest ds is chemical engineer. He graduated in 2011 from a small state tech university that in not ranked nationally, only regionally. It is a school unknown to the man on the street outside of the region. However, industry loves its grads. Its excellent reputation amg corporations matters significantly more when searching for employment than how USNWR ranks colleges. He has a fabulous career making a great salary and he graduated from college debt free. He and his wife bought a house last summer. They have 2 cars fully paid for. His wife is a stay at home mom. There is a lot to be said for starting life with a great salary and debt-free.
His younger brother is currently attending Bama full-ride. He is an incredibly gifted young man (not just momma pride saying that. He truly is. He graduated from high school with college credit for multiple 300 level math and physics classes.) He loves it there and has a strong group of friends who are just as academically strong as he is. As a freshman (though with jr status), he is actively participating in research and embracing every opportunity he can find.
Engineering in general is one of those fields that one can find good employment with their undergraduate degree. Unlike some majors resources can be used for an undergraduate degree rather than saving them for a graduate degree. There are also ways to help fund an engineering degree that are not as readily available for some other majors such as co-op programs. I agree with your assessment that as long as the school is accredited the ranking of the school is not as important as some other factors. Therefore paying top dollar to attend a highly ranked but expensive private or OOS public school likely will not provide much benefit vs. a more affordable state school.
Our D is a Chem E and here are a few observations based on conversations with her and some engineers I know. The strongest programs are often state flagship universities who have the size and the resources to provide the research that attracts engineers to their universities. The larger the engineering dept. the more employers who are likely to hire there. While not required, having work experience via co-ops helps when seeking employment. Smaller universities will likely attract more regional employers as compared to larger universities. Finally, it is a tough major. Good luck to your son.
The latter part of @ivvcsf 's post was not true for our Ds. His university was not the state flagship. He had job offers from corps with positions around the country, all global companies. I do completely agree with the comment about co-oping. He works for one of the top ranked global chemical companies.
I agree with you 100% about your son being better off working hard at a lower ranked college and finishing with no debt.
My husband is a chemical engineer now in management. When he hires kids right out of school the school they graduated from does not necessarily make a difference (unless it is his school ha-ha) He is looking for hard working kids period.
We have a son who is in the 11th grade and is considering chemical engineering. He is a smart kid but not an allstar. I don’t mean that in a bad way but there is not going to be tons of merit aid coming his way. We are in TX and our son knows his choices are in state publics and the Univeristy of AR (he can get instate rates there) He is looking at A&M, Texas Tech and U of A.
Also, be sure he signs up and takes the PSAT in the fall. I know the changes to the exam makes it difficult to prepare, but the possible financial reward of becoming a National Merit Finalist is substantial.
I am in Pennsylvania. There are a number of schools with ChemE that are ABET accredited within our ability to pay.
I think he will get some scholarship money and to me that will be a bonus and broaden the choice.
I was just reflecting on two employees that have been here around ten years. One went to a private school - now around $60,000 per year. One went to a state school - now around $20,000 per year. I have had both work for me in the past. Both did a great job. I would be thrilled to supervise either one again. Both have progressed well in their careers.
It sounds to me like my message remains valid: get through school debt free, work your rear-end off and maximize the experience.
