I feel like the answers to this question vary depending on who you ask. I’ve heard that outside of the area, people view Rutgers as comparable in prestige to Ivy League schools. However, if you ask people from NJ, some will say it’s a really great school, while others will say it’s mediocre at best. According to US News rankings (which aren’t always a great basis for comparing schools, I know…), it’s decent but certainly not comparable to Ivies. So which is it? How well respected is a degree from Rutgers compared to other schools, specifically for engineering? It seems like the SoE is definitely on the rise in terms of quality and prestige. What do big corporations and companies think of Rutgers engineering?
I think it’s the same as any other large state flagship like Mich State, UMass, Indiana, Pitt, Delaware. I wouldn’t pay more to go to those instead of in-state Rutgers just like I wouldn’t pay more for Rutgers if I lived in any of those states. it would be nice to live in california or virginia with a bigger variety of respected and more specialized schools, but instead NJ just has Rutgers, which is pretty good at everything.
I’m most likely going to Rutgers for engineering too because I got into my dream school but not for engineering. I am going to try to transfer there later but if I end up graduating from Rutgers then I will definitely not be disappointed.
@thearmadillo That’s kind of what I think too. Certainly not a bad school, but I wouldn’t consider it equivalent to an Ivy League either. It’s also what you make of it… whether or not you seek opportunities for yourself such as undergrad research and internships. I’m in the same boat… Got into other schools but I’ll probably end up going to Rutgers. Thanks for your reply!
Part of the problem is that people’s perception of the value provided by a university is mostly skewed by the perception of how difficult it is to get admission. As a state university, Rutgers is obliged to accept a certain number of students from in-state. We went and met the factually at an open house recently and were very impressed overall. In terms of the quality of the education offered, I feel that Rutgers has a strong offering. Any lack of prestige you feel from attending is entirely a different matter.
@2sk211 That’s a good point. I honestly think it’s a great school and offers a quality education. I certainly don’t think it lacks prestige (if anything, I think it is quite prestigious). People around here probably look down on it because it doesn’t have the admissions difficulty of other prestigious schools (Ivies). It also isn’t ranked extremely high (even though these rankings are rather arbitrary and probably not a reflection of the schools). I still think it’s a great option, and so do many other people. Thanks for your reply!
As an out of state student going to Rutgers, I am very jealous that some students have the opportunity to attain such a quality education for such cheap in state prices. I wish my state had a school half as good as Rutgers.
Expensive instate if you ask me…around 16k tuiton alone, very stingy with financial aid.
Where did you hear that?
Rutgers is a pretty ordinary state flagship. I have never heard, nor can imagine, anyone comparing it to an Ivy.
@Chardo That’s what I thought, but people seem to view it as one… Maybe because it’s as old as the Ivies? I don’t know, but either way I don’t think it’s comparable to Ivies… random other people do though :-/
Well it was offered to join the Ivy League a long time ago
I’m pretty sure it didn’t join because it is more academic opportunity instead of academic excellence
true
Only on CC would a top 100 rank school would be viewed as a low-rank state school. It’s ranked as one of the top 100 best universities in this country. IMO that’s pretty prestigious.
it’s a really good state flagship that most people would not consider in the same category as an Ivy.
however, if a future employer happens to view it as an Ivy-level school, that only works in your favor, right?