I am debating between attending UCF or Ohio State for Mechanical Engineering. I have received a generous financial aid package that will make OSU just about the same price as UCF, and I know Ohio State is a much higher regarded program. I am currently living in Florida, and after college, I want to stay and work in Florida. However, I am enticed by Ohio State’s financial aid and the higher regarded program.
My big dilemma I guess is if I leave Florida and go to OSU, would it be harder for me to move back and get a nice job in my field?
I seriously doubt that having an engineering degree from Ohio State will put you at any disadvantage for employment in the state of Florida if that’s where you decide to return after college. It’s not as if it’s some regional unknown school with an unrecognizable name outside it’s geographic area. Ohio State is well regarded across the country and all other things being equal (which they seldom are), you will have shown that you are willing to experience another part of the country, possibly out of your usual comfort zone. You can always return to Florida after graduation but you will also have a lot more options in the rest of the country. You honestly can’t predict how you will feel after 4 years of college so IMO, more options are always better than fewer.
Experiencing other parts of the country is a great thing. OSU is a great school. If it’s basically a wash financially, I would expand my horizons and go to OSU, but that’s me. You have to decide what you really want in a college experience.
There are a lot of good engineering jobs at the space coast. They hire a lot of UCF kids. The good news is you can always network regardless of where you attend. OSU will give you access to other markets that may be of interest.