maryland cp vs northeastern

<p>i have a huge dilemma right now.
considering between 2 engineering programs
maryland cp vs northeastern's.
i know maryland has a pretty good engineering program, and i heard its pretty tough.
i also heard northeastern has a pretty kickass program too, and it also has co-op.</p>

<p>maryland's tuition, room and board is alot cheaper than northeastern's.
northeastern has a pretty weak college sports program, and no one is into it i heard.
maryland has an amazing sports program and has great parties. (dont know about northeastern).</p>

<p>both are located in/near great cities. </p>

<p>i come from a pretty low-income family, and our FIC is 0.
i know if i go to northeastern, its pretty much a fact i'll graduate in 5 years, 6 if i get into the BS/MS program, and have 3 co-op work experience.
if i go to maryland, i will be in less debt (i hope), have a pretty great college experience as well as a pretty solid education and get a BS and maybe a BS/MS and graduate in 5 years if i keep up the work.</p>

<p>so ... i do not know which college is better.</p>

<p>which one would you attend? or which one should i attend based on all this? thanks!</p>

<p>This is not even close. NEU’s Engineering program is not “kickass”. It is not even ranked among the top 50. Maryland on the other hand, is excellent (ranked around #20 nationally). So even if they cost the same, I would still recommend Maryland over NEU. But they don’t cost anywhere near the same. Maryland costs under $40,000/year whereas NEU costs over $50,000. There is a $15,000/year ($60,000 over years) difference. </p>

<p>Check out the Michigan vs Maryland post below. Even Michigan students/alums feel that Michigan, which is $6,000 cheaper than NEU and much stronger in Engineering, is not worth getting into $40,000 debt over Maryland. The cost difference between Maryland and NEU is approximately $60,000 over 4 years. That is definitely not worth it.</p>

<p>For some reason, people make a big deal out of NEU’s co-op program. Although very good, it is not much better than a regular internship program you can easily get at Maryland.</p>

<p>I completely disagree with Alexandre for obvious reasons. NEU is a great engineering program. The coops for engineers are arguably the best ones right along side with business and health. Also you do not pay tuition fees while your on coop so to say that your paying $50,000 a year at NEU is absurd. As a matter of fact you can make the argument that you would be paying more at Maryland per year because at Northeastern you do coop which pays you. </p>

<p>Northeastern also is better connected with companies than Maryland so I would say definitely Northeastern.</p>

<p>Northeasternkid, you cannot say that NEU has a “great” Engineering program when it is not even ranked in the top 50. It is not bad, but it is not great. </p>

<p>And the cost of attendance is pretty clear:</p>

<p>[Estimated</a> Cost Calculator - 2009-2010](<a href=“http://www.financialaid.neu.edu/docs/CostCalculator0910.htm]Estimated”>http://www.financialaid.neu.edu/docs/CostCalculator0910.htm)</p>

<p>$48,000 not including books and miscelanious expenses. Maryland, if you do not include books and miscelanious expenses, costs $34,000/year.</p>

<p>Finally, I am not sure how you can prove that NEU has better connections that Maryland. Maryland Engineering has a very strong reputation in industry.</p>