<p>I am looking for some insight on how the University of Maryland, Penn State, Virginia Tech and Purdue compare in Aerospace engineering (undergrad). I do live in Maryland, so UMD does have an edge in terms of cost.</p>
<p>I’d go with UMD, especially because of the money.</p>
<p>I agree. They are all good schools and, being publics, the financial aid from the OOS schools probably won’t be enough to make a difference.</p>
<p>Thanks. :)</p>
<p>So if UMD is my first choice, and say I don’t get in, what do you think would be the better second choice?</p>
<p>Have you visited them? I think, seeing as they are all well-regarded schools, you might choose the school that gave you the best feeling from when you visited. I don’t know how the tuitions compare or how much those might affect your decision. I do know PSU has incredible school spirit. They have active chapters of the AIAA and the AHS. (PSU is a Rotorcraft Center of Excellence, along with Maryland and GTech.) There is a soaring club and you might be interested in reading about the sail plane class ([AERSP</a> 404H - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia](<a href=“http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AERSP_404H]AERSP”>http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AERSP_404H)). The PSU aero department has more grads than any other in the country and they form a very supportive network for new grads looking for jobs.</p>
<p>I have only visited Maryland. I liked it but I don’t have any comparison. I plan on visiting PSU and VT soon, but I do not really want to drive 12 hours to Indiana until after I know whether I got in or not. So yeah I’ll probably go to UMD if I get in, but otherwise I’m not sure. Thanks for your insight. 
I mean I guess at this point this is kinda a moot point, seeing how I don’t even know where I’ll get in at.</p>
<p>Just keep in mind that regardless WHERE you go for undergrad work, U-Maryland is pretty lenient as far as graduate admissions for folks with some work experience. So if you don’t get in for the B.S. degree…try it at the M.S. level after a few years of experience.</p>
<p>PS: I know you are a soon-to-be freshman</p>
<p>for aero (of the schools listed):
PURDUE, hands down.</p>
<p>source: the industry.</p>
<p>note: PSU, does however, have a killer plasma group but you will have no exposure to that as an undergrad.</p>
<p>Purdue is the best academically for engineering</p>
<p>Wichita State University has one of the best aerospace engineering programs in the nation, right in the air capitol of the world and at relative low cost</p>
<p>I haven’t heard anything about Wichita, I’ll have to look it up.</p>
<p>So I’m thinking UMD is probably the best choice just cause of the cost, and then either Purdue or Penn State as a second choice. If I get into both I will have to visit them to make the best decision.</p>
<p>Thanks for all the information.</p>
<p>maryland without a doubt if it’s in-state…even forget the in-state tuition, you’re from maryland it’s ‘ur’ school.</p>
<p>if u don’t get in…purdue is obviously known for it’s aero in particular…but the rest are great too…</p>