<p>I want to major in Statistics with an emphasis on biology or health. Should I go to the University of Michigan or Northwestern University? I liked Northwestern's atmosphere much more than UofM's, but it sounds like UofM might have a stronger math program. </p>
<p>BTW, I live in Michigan, so I would get in-state tuition at UofM.</p>
<p>Did you apply to the ISP program at NU? This will give you a solid foundation in different areas of science. Finances, of course, is your call.</p>
<p>Northwestern’s Mathematics department is stellar. There is no difference whatsoever between departments ranked within 20 or even 30 spots of each other. I would not let rankings decide. </p>
<p>Assuming neither school gave you any money, Michigan will cost you approximately $125,000 over four years, while NU will cost you $245,000 over the same period. That’s $120,000 difference. If your family’s financial situation is as such that the gap is easily covered, I would recommend NU as you seem to like it much better. If the cost is too great to cover, I do not see how you can justify spending the extra $120k.</p>
<p>If you want to major in statistics, why wouldn’t you be more concerned about the relative strength of the two statistics programs (i.e., as opposed to the math programs)?</p>
<p>When you say “with emphasis on biology or health,” do you mean preparation for a graduate degree in biostatistics and/or public health?</p>
<p>Alexandre: Your reply was very helpful. It is good to hear that “there is no difference whatsoever between departments ranked within 20 or even 30 spots of each other.” </p>
<p>SteveC: This may be debated, but Statistics is a subfield of Mathematics.</p>
<p>Yes, but both schools have statistics departments which are separate from their math departments, and if you’re interested in a statistics major, that’s who you’d be spending most of your time with.</p>