<p>I am on my way to be a senior in college and after reading around on here is going to a prestigious college really worth it? I will be graduating with a masters in civil and mechanical engineering as well as a bachelors in architecture. I currently go to a tier two college ranking school for engineering and possibly looking at transferring to a tier one college for my last few semesters. I currently have a 3.63 gpa.Only thing is if I stay at my currently college I will have roughly $9k in college debt. If I decide to transfer I will have roughly $50k in college debt as being a out of state resident, I could get my residence then enroll yet I would be a year out of school. However I would only be roughly $30k in student loans.</p>
<p>I do have five years of experience in construction and have networked quite a bit here. I have read after roughly a couple of years it does not matter too much were you went to school as by then you should have the knowledge of the field. Also if I stay I would be able to get my PE license within two years after graduating, if I transfer I will be looking at getting my PE license three years after graduation. </p>
<p>What would you guys do, go into a huge pile of debt for a prestigious college degree or stay put and have a rather small pile of debt.</p>
<p>It is probably not worth $41,000 of extra debt (which you might not be able to get on your own anyway). Also, being able to get the PE license sooner can improve your job prospects sooner.</p>
<p>Recruiting for your first job may differ; each school is likely to attract local companies to recruit, while the school with better recognition for your major may attract more non-local companies. But your school matters less as you gain experience in engineering.</p>
<p>Thank you so much for the quick reply and help! For the past few weeks I have been pulling my hair out in what direction I should go.</p>
<p>Go with the cheaper route if you’re interested in a relatively standard path to employment.
Top tiers are great for people interested in the more lucrative opportunities (startups, finance) but just a cash drain for those after a standard job in industry.
For you, I do suggest staying at the less prestigious school, especially since you already have good experience.</p>
<p>Not to mention that what many people on here like to call “tier 2” (which isn’t actually a specific thing, mind you) is still a good school.</p>
<p>Neo, I plan on going with a lucrative career, I have a few home builders as well as general contractors that will follow me to a different firm. I have built relations with them from not only selling them land to build a sub division, yet to offering them alternatives to other firms works. My main goal is to open up my own firm once I get my PE license and feel ready as well as confident to be able to provide my clients and customers with a great product while remaning competitive in terms of pricing. I have wanted to open my own firm from a very young age and want the best as well. Not only for me, yet again for my clients and customers as I am hoping for repeat customers as well as new ones to keep me afloat and ahead of the game. Not looking for a standard career path, looking for great success! </p>
<p>Bone, that is what I figured as much in terms of my current school. It is good as some put it, just not great as others put it in terms of a tier one college.</p>
<p>It looks like you’ve already developed the contact network you need. You don’t really need to pay to go to a top school if your plans are already set in motion.</p>