@elysium305 - We live in Arizona. My oldest son is finishing his sophomore year at TAMU in Aerospace Engineering… My youngest son is likely to pick MSU on May 1 to study mechanical engineering. I graduated from MSU. You have a tough choice, but fortunately two great options.
In a straight-up comparison, TAMU’s engineering college is higher rated than MSU’s. TAMU’s career fair is quite a bit larger, more companies recruit there, and the Aggie Network is incredible. TAMU’s facilities are also better. On the other hand, MSU’s engineering graduates still have a very high placement rate. Honestly, an engineering graduate with good grades will find a good job regardless of where he goes. The Texas economy is stronger and more diverse than Michigan’s.
TAMU’s engineering department is going through some growing pains as part of the 25x25 initiative. My son does not even have an advisor right now because the last AE advisor resigned. MSU’s department is smaller. I like the MSU CoRe program, where freshman engineering students live together in the same dorm, very close to the engineering and math buildings. Freshman engineering classes, offices, and labs are in the same dorm or dorm complex. At MSU, you are admitted to your major. At TAMU, you will have to compete to get into your major after freshman year.
You’ve covered climate. My son is from Arizona, so the heat doesn’t bother him. The humidity, wind, and rain do bother him quite a bit. Winters in East Lansing can be brutal, like two years ago, or mild like this year. The x factors with central-Michigan winters are the very short days and the overcast, gray skies. You can go a week without ever seeing the sun. Fall and spring are pretty awesome though.
MSU has a much better dormitory system than does TAMU. It is far larger and is organized into neighborhoods. Dining options are far more varied and IMHO the food is better. If you want to, you can live on campus all four years.
Both schools have very good sports programs, but just about every school takes a back seat to TAMU when it comes to fan support and enthusiasm. TAMU’s school traditions are also second to none. MSU has the same relationship to Michigan that TAMU has to Texas. Spartans hate wolverines just like Aggies hate longhorns. MSU and TAMU are both land-grant universities with huge agricultural programs.
I agree that there is more to do off campus at MSU than at TAMU, but not by a wide margin. It is easier to walk to off-campus attractions at MSU. MSU is part of a larger urban area than TAMU, but it is hardly Dallas or Houston.
One other possibly relevant factor. MSU is more diverse. TAMU is 96% in-state students and only 1.3% international students. MSU is 87% in-state and has 13% international students. However, TAMU students are very friendly. My Arizona son has made great friends at TAMU.
Finally, the MSU Honors College is one of the oldest in the US and is a plus.
I hope this helps. Good fortune to you whichever school you pick.
