<p>Basically, I made a huge mistake and applied to UIUC and Purdue's business school instead of engineering and still got in (switched intended majors a bit too late because I didn't know what I wanted to do). However I was able to switch to engineering at Ohio State without a problem. </p>
<p>Cost is a huge factor for me and Ohio State gave me a great financial aid package. UIUC comes up to $16,000 more than OSU while Purdue comes up to $7000 more annually. However my parents are willing to take out loans if it means going to a better college with a better program. </p>
<p>If I was to switch major, I would have to transfer into the engineering program after my freshman year if I decided to attend either UIUC or Purdue, which is still no guarantee. However, their computer science programs are ranked significantly higher than Ohio States. In addition, a school with a strong business program would also be preferred in case I either double major or switch majors while at college.</p>
<p>The biggest factors: Cost, academic programs and reputation, campus and dorm quality and job and internship opportunities.</p>
<p>Purdue has the strongest job/internship opportunities imo, which should matter the most. Their recruiting is the best among the three. They also have really good coop program that lets you make a lot of money as a student. As far as dorm quality and student life I don’t really know… as far as academic goes I think Purdue has a better overall “Engineering” reputation but I think UIUC edges Purdue out on strictly computer science major ranking by a bit. </p>
<p>I think Purdue is worth the extra cost for the internship/coop opportunities and the job opportunities afterward…</p>
<p>If you change to a business major or want to double major with business, I would take OSU. I think they even have a program just for people who want to double major in business and engineering although I think the focus was entrepreneurial. </p>
<p>Purdue does not have a great business program. UIUC is also good for business and engineering but I doubt it is worth the extra expense.</p>
<p>UIUC wins on CS. OSU wins on the business program and cost. Purdue is somewhere in between, and may have slightly better job/internship opportunities, in general. Given your criteria, I think these are basically indistinguishable feasible solutions. The choice is yours.</p>
<p>Purdue student/alum? Try being objective. Stating equivocally that Purdue has better jobs/internships, engineering academics and reputation is just ridiculous, plain and simple.</p>
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<p>Based on this fact, I’d say go to Ohio State, even though it is the weakest engineering program of the three. It is still a good program and you will do just fine.</p>