which is the best college to attend for mechanical engineering from all of the above-
(1.)In terms of Ranking, reputation, etc.
(2.)college hype
(3.)life
(4.)affordability,etc
Texas
I guess it depends where you live. TAMU is one of the cheapest state schools in Texas for in-state. It is also one of the best Engineering schools in the country. If you are in Illinois, then Illinois would be cheaper and also has a great Engineering school. Ditto Purdue.
Rose Hulman is not as well known outside of Engineering circles. Definitely tougher on the pocket book as well.
- All four colleges have great reputations for engineering. All will be targeted by the large, national companies for recruiting. A consideration you may have is that regional employers will focus on them as well -- so you may get offers from the midwest if you're at PU, UIUC or RH. At TAMU, you may get more recruiters from that region. This doesn't settle it but college grads tend to not move far away simply due to the fact that many get hired by nearby firms.
- When you say college hype, I'm assuming you mean a rah-rah spirit -- objectively it'd be TAMU first, PU and UIUC tied for second and a very distant last, RH (doesn't help that it's only about 30% women).
- Life: dunno.
- Like Torveux said, if any are instate for PU, UIUC and TAMU, that's the most affordable. If not, then run the Net Price Calculators. PU has very little FinAid for OOS students. RH is private, with high tuition, but some decent Fin Aid, if I recall. Dunno about TAMU and UIUC
What state are you in? If Illinois, then UIUC. Although, Purdue likes students from Illinois. Many kids from the Chicago suburbs go to Purdue Engineering. Rose Hulmann is good, but small. Student life? Gotta give the edge to TAMU, although Big Ten schools are lots of fun, too.
I’m a Purdue alum and was biomechanical engineering many years ago. Loved it, and continue to recommend, although football team is blah.