Hello,
I’ve been accepted to Rutgers New Brunswick as well as Pennsylvania State University at University Park. I really like both schools, but I’m having a hard time deciding which one is better - and since both are pretty expensive for out of state, I want to make sure I make the right choice. So could y’all maybe help me figure out the pros and cons for both schools?
Thanks!
How much is each school and what’s your parents’ budget?
What college admitted you?
Overall, I’d say Penn State is better than Rutgers. Better students accross the board, nicer campus, cool college town. OOS full costs are 45k for PSU I think and Rutgers 39k… did you get any scholarship?
As someone who has been to both multiple times and has relatives at both schools, I would say Penn State hands down.
Both schools are really good. They’re the hotshot flagships for NJ and PA, however they are different. PA is in University Park, kinda off on its own. Rutgers NB is right in New Brunswick, not the best city right by New York City. What major/program are you going for?
Rutgers has a good reputation particularly for some majors like CS, English, Pharmacy, Economics. The campus is really spread out. There are like 5 major campuses and you have to constantly take the bus to go from one campus to another, so scheduling classes can be a pain. The town of New Brunswick sits in the middle separating some campuses from others, it is old and run down from when I went to school there. Maybe it’s been spruced up a little since the 90s but I doubt it. Seriously it was a dump when I went there. Most people who go to Rutgers are either from NJ or PA, and many either commute or go home on weekends so the campus is quite deserted on weekends.
I’ve never been to PSU but it sounds much nicer. I’d go there if I were you.
What’s your parents’ budget?
Like @TheDidactic mentioned, New Brunswick isn’t the greatest city. You’ll be spending the next 4+ years of your life at whatever college you choose, so location is an important factor. I’ve also heard some not-so-flattering remarks about the professors there, claiming that they don’t care about their students or aren’t teaching in a way that makes the lesson accessible.
So with that in mind, Penn State seems like your best bet. Their alumni network is a powerhouse, and because of that PSU stands out as one of the best schools in the Big 10. The only immediate downfall I can think of is that, though all of the schools in the Big 10 have prevalent party culture, PSU consistently ranks as one of the top party schools in the nation. This may not matter to you at all, and in fact may be a positive note in your eyes. Regardless of how you view it, it’s something to consider.
Best of luck in your college search, and keep us updated!