I was accepted into Purdue and University of Michigan for industrial engineering (both OOS). They are my top 2 choices. As of right now, I am getting no financial aid from either (besides loans) and Purdue is offering me a $10,000/year scholarship whereas Michigan is giving me nothing.
Michigan is my top choice and I love it so much more. Since both are amazing for engineering, academics is not playing a huge role in my decision. I love the tradition and athletics at Michigan, but I don’t want to pay $60k/year. I would be happy at either but I think I would enjoy Michigan a lot more.
I don’t know that Michigan will give me any money (3.9 GPA, 32 ACT), but I want to go there but I don’t know that it is worth the debt.
“I don’t want to pay $60k/year” Who is paying? Is your family paying most of your costs? You can only take out fairly minimal loans on your own, which would not begin to cover a $60,000 a year school. Do you have cheaper options if you are concerned about cost/debt? Your instate option, or a school that gives significant merit aid is often your best bet for engineering.
both my parents and I, they’re contributing as much as they can. I’m only between Michigan and Purdue, and Purdue I would be paying $33k which is not a problem. I’m from Illinois and UIUC is not really a contender for me
Your parents (I assume they are footing some of the bill) and yourself have to discuss your options. I will say that Purdue is highly respected for Engineering and the extra 10K less per year is a great incentive to go, Another thought - if you have aspirations for graduate school - realize that while you have to be successful as an undergrad to get into a graduate program, the reputation of the graduate program will carry more weight than the undergraduate institution. Going to Purdue easily gives you enough quality to your degree to go anywhere afterwards - or for that matter many other less expensive schools other than OOS Michigan full tuition.
Look at it realistically. As an engineer you will be studying a tremendous amount at either program, with fairly limited free time, and both are among the finest engineering schools in the world. Save the $100K, go to Purdue, then go to grad school at Michigan. If you do a Ph.D. in engineering, nearly all students are fully funded, so it will cost you nothing.
Just curious; Did you not apply to UIUC of did you not get accepted? Honestly if you were accepted to Illinois, is UC that much different from West Lafayette? I can see wanting to go to Michigan over UIUC, but not so much for heading to Purdue out of state unless costs were about the same. IMHO they are very similar.
What is the difference in costs between Purdue and Illinois with the scholarship? It’s funny, so many instate students don’t want to attend UIUC, even though it is excellent in engineering.
In Engineering, all three are equal (top 10 programs nationally, if not globally). If finances are not a concern, go for fit, but if finances are a concern, for for the most affordable option.
uiuc and purdue for me are about the same. uiuc only a few thousand more expensive; however, i am majoring in industrial engineering and purdue is ranked #3 for industrial in the nation. Plus i like the school overall better
In that case, I would go for Purdue. You do not want to go into debt, no matter how great the university. Forget about Michigan unless they give you a great FA package.
Purdue or Illinois. “a few thousand more expensive” over the course of 4 years adds up. And you could change your mind about what you want to study once you get to college. Illinois has a fine Industrial and Enterprise Systems Engineering department. I would imagine their graduates are getting good opportunities as well. I would not worry about the rankings. These are both good programs. The one I would eliminate is Michigan . Great school but hard to justify the added expense since cost seems to be a consideration.