Northwestern VS University of Florida VS Columbia

I want to major in industrial Engineering. If I go to UF I will have a full ride and all of my dual credits will transfer. Which means I will graduate college at 20 years old. If go to Northwestern or Columbia I will graduate with a degree from a brand name school. I will probably also graduate debt free because my family is middle class. Keep in mind that I want to work and live in Florida right after college. Which would be most the financially beneficial to me in the long run?

The vast majority of skilled jobs are in small to medium size companies. It’s more cost effective for them to hire locally and regionally. If you’re planning to live in FL, strategically, UF makes the most sense. Plus, a full ride scholarship is really hard to pass up. I would take the scholarship and run.

Both Northwestern and Columbia are well above UF in the national rankings, as you know. Typically, the choice is between UF and a top school where UF’s advantage is its lower cost, but you appear to say that money isn’t an issue. If that’s the case, go to the highest ranked school for your desired major. To the issue of being able to graduate faster and at a younger age, that is also often an issue of money where fewer years of college takes less money. But, again, that’s not your issue. My advice would be to take all 4 years at Northwestern or Columbia.

I’ll also address the issue that you plan to live in Florida, so there would be a benefit to being part of the Gator Nation. However, many of us have thrived here in Florida without the benefit of having graduated from UF. While there are a lot of UF grads in the business world, there are a lot more people who went elsewhere.

It’s fine to go to UF if you are pretty sure the Florida market is strong for industrial engineers. One cool thing about Northwestern IE is that it’s very easy to do dual degree with Econ or add a Kellogg certificate in managerial analytics.

Companies in Florida don’t really have a history of hiring straight from Insert top private college name here. However, if you build up a strong resume while attending UF, I am sure that you will not have any major problems with finding a job after you graduate. Keep in mind that the more north you go, the less UF will be recognized OR at least considered a good institution.

So if you are 100% sure that you will live in Fl after college, I say go to UF.

But hey I am just some guy on the internet, who am I to talk you out of a degree from Columbia.

Our son has a similar dilemma as he has been accepted into the UF Honors Program with the full bright futures scholarship and is planning to go into electrical engineering, but he was also accepted into University of Michigan Engineering which has a top 5 Electrical engineering program except that the cost is the issue for our family ($60k/year UMich vs basically free at UF). We were impressed with all the improvements and money being spent at UF for engineering as well as the possible Florida opportunities as mentioned above. There is also the StepUp program during summer B for future engineers students that few other schools offer. Finishing debt free is a nice thing in any case.

Engineers are in short supply, so you’ll be able to get a job regardless of which school you pick provided that you put in the effort to get good grades and seek out internships or coops. Keep in mind that the starting salary for IEs is at the lower end of the scale compared to other engineering disciplines.

I would take a serious look at finances and FA packages before you dismiss UF. Have you been accepted to all three and have you seen the FA offers, or will you be applying next year (or later)?

If money isn’t an issue, I would choose Columbia or Northwestern for the academic strength and the reputations they have because of it.

Columbia might be a little stronger overall in terms of academic rep, but Northwestern is outstanding too and probably is stronger than Columbia in Engineering. But both are more than adequate, so choose based on fit: NYC vs. Evanston/Chicago, Big Ten sports vs. Ivy League sports, etc.

If you felt Florida was a much better fit and if you want to study in Florida, it could be a good choice too.

Not sure how middle class translates to “debt free” from Northwestern/Columbia. They may be great on need, but wouldn’t they still insist on federal loans before they pony up the grants? In any case I’d strongly consider UF, particularly if you want to live/work in Florida eventually. I’d somewhat consider northwestern although after this past winter most of my northern relatives REALLY want to ditch their outerwear. Columbia just strikes me as a grind – the culture there is so cutthroat and intense…so unless you are comfortable with that type of experience, that would be last on my list. Good luck, some great choices for you!

If he’s going to go to grad school engineering anyway free tuition. Undergrad is over rated IF your going to go to graduate school for sure.

@Trisherella Both have a no-loan policy.

If all costs were equal, then Northwestern University for engineering & double majoring/ certificate programs would be the best. But costs are not equal.

How much will you or your family have to pay per year at Northwestern or Columbia ?

This really is a question of cost, because if all things are equal, most would recommend attending an elite private university. Being “middle class” usually raises red flags, as people defined it differently, and the “middle class” tend to earn enough, so they that the family “expected” contribution is still significant after aid.

Average Net price by income:

$48K to $75K: Columbia: $6.5K, Northwestern: $12.8K
$75K to $110K: Columbia: $14.2K, Northwestern: $22.2K
Over $110K, both schools are FAR more expensive

Average net price is generated by subtracting the average amount of federal, state/local government, or institutional grant or scholarship aid from the total cost of attendance.

If we can assume, that your family can comfortably afford either school, without taking any loans, and that you will not be required to supplement your income by working part time jobs, then I would recommend Columbia or Northwestern over UF, simply because either school will offer more resources.

Being a “brand name” however, wouldn’t be the reason to choose those schools over UF. Especially if you want to end up in Florida (vs Chicago or New York).