<p>My son been accepted in Penn State and Texas A&M computer engendering. We are Texas residence and have hard time to make decision. Can any experienced parents please give me some insight and help?</p>
<p>Which one is more prestigious nationally? Which one is better value for a late grad school?</p>
<p>Thanks!</p>
<p>I can’t imagine paying Penn State prices- unless your son got some merit aid- over the in-state Texas schools. A&M is a unique culture, as I’m sure you are aware. Either would serve him well (assuming strong GPA and test scores) for grad school. Penn State might have the edge in prestige, but not enough to pay out of state tuition.</p>
<p>MomofWildChild, thanks so much for the excellent insight!
My son didnt receive merit from Penn State, and we would pay $25k plus for going to Penn State. My son likes the friendly community like culture at A&M but is not sure if A&M lakes the national prestige and he may lose a better opportunity for going to Penn State.</p>
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Maybe listening to this podcast will help you with your choice ;)</p>
<p>The out of state Cost of Attendance for Penn State is a lot more than $25k. The cost is $40k. That is not a justifiable cost over TAMU.</p>
<p>I’m curious as to why you think that going to Penn St over TAMU will help his grad school opportunities. I can’t think of one top grad school that would think…hmmm…this student went to Penn St and this one went to TAMU, so we’re going to pick the Penn State student. As far as grad schools would be concerned, they would likely consider both schools to be “peer schools”. </p>
<p>So, no reason to choose Penn State unless you have money to burn.</p>
<p>Agree with mom2collegekids. Penn State is a wonderful place, although it has some of the problems of any huge university. The only reason to choose it (for your son) would be to get an experience outside of Texas. And then there’s the weather…
(I grew up in PA and lived in TX for 28 years, so I feel like I have some insight here…)</p>
<p>I’m a proud Aggie. I think your son can be certain of a strong curriculum and strong opportunities with any engineering degree from Texas A&M. </p>
<p>A&M is huge. It is not a teeny and nurturing environment – but it is also a ton of fun and has great goodwill (ie, not the sort of place where people are nasty to each other over grades). Penn State is also big – so your kid would be further away at greater expense with . . . what benefit exactly?</p>
<p>I’ll admit to having spent more time in the Western US than in the east – but, for engineering, I think A&M has more prestige. </p>
<p>If the choice were Stanford vs. A&M or CalTech vs. A&M, then I could see some head scratching happening. But Penn State? No offense, but I’m not seeing it.</p>
<p>I really appreciate all your helpful input! I think my son will enjoy A&M and be proud to be an Aggie!</p>
<p>Speaking as another Houston mom of a senior who will be going to Penn State next year and a junior considering A&M…</p>
<p>Both are great schools, with outstanding ENGR programs, wonderful school spirit, and great alumni networks. And because of those alumni networks - they are schools that are well known and well-respected. </p>
<p>They are both large schools -roughly 35000 full time undergrads- and both are ranked equally (according to US News) for Engineering. Penn State has a slightly better overall ranking, but not by much. Within Engineering specialties, it’s a toss, however, A&M has the advantage in Computer Engr. </p>
<p>So, being in-state, and with no other reason to push Penn State to the top - A&M seems like the obvious choice.</p>
<p>For us, my older son had absolutely no interest in A&M. It doesn’t have the Engr program he wants and he wants to be in the marching band but has no interest in being in the Corps of Cadets. Yes, the in-state tuition would have been wonderful, but we all knew Penn State was the perfect fit for him. And being admitted to the Honors College (with a bit of $$$) sealed the deal for him. Plus, my DH’s family lives just 90 minutes away.</p>
<p>Good luck to your son! I’m sure he’ll enjoy A&M!!!</p>