<p>So, what are the pros/cons in going to an Engineering school with/without PhD granting?</p>
<p>The one’s that grant PhD’s are usually more highly regarded. The military academies are very highly regarded schools, and are the most noteworthy exception. Many of the schools that don’t offer PhD’s are unknown schools that are probably a good idea to avoid while others are just very average. Without having the names of the schools in question, I can’t give you a more definitive answer.</p>
<p>I suppose one disadvantage of going to a school that does not offer a PHD is the lack of research opportunities.</p>
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Many, but not all. At the top of the heap of non-PhD-granting engineering schools, you have incredibly strong engineering schools such as Rose-Hulman and Harvey Mudd.</p>
<p>Schools with PhD programs generally have a much stronger emphasis on research, which often benefits stronger students but leaves weaker students with minimal support where they need it and opportunities of which they cannot take advantage. The research also means that they have more prestigious faculty, although the benefit of this to undergrads in debatable.</p>
<p>Schools without PhD programs generally place a much stronger focus on actual teaching, which helps everyone but means that graduates interested in grad school or other “high achieving” opportunities are usually at a disadvantage. They are also generally weaker in recruiting faculty, so while they may focus more on teaching the faculty may not be as competent in the material.</p>
<p>There are exceptions to this - besides the service academies, there are also schools like Cooper Union that lack PhD programs but still provide research opportunities and solid grad school placements to their graduates. But they are in the minority. As a general rule, once you are past the top ten no-PhD schools you are looking at schools that are considered pretty weak.</p>
<p>Thanks … That clears up a lot of my confusion. Very Helpful.</p>