<p>Im thinking about going into economics-ish..haha that area..i know i can get in to both school buts which one..in your opinion has the better economics program?</p>
<p>Any other school rec's are appreciated =D</p>
<p>Wisconsin........</p>
<p>US News ranks the Wisconsin graduate program in economics #11, tied with Columbia, UCLA, and Michigan---pretty fancy company. They rank UIUC #28, tied with Ohio State, Penn State, and UC-Davis; very good, but not at the same level as Wisconsin.</p>
<p>The more prestigious National Research Council rankings of graduate faculty quality didn't place Wisconsin quite so high, #18 overall, but still only slightly behind Columbia, UCLA, and Michigan (3.9 rating for Wisconsin, 4.0 for Michigan, 4.1 for UCLA & Columbia). But this still placed Wisconsin well ahead of Illinois, ranked #38 with a 3.1 faculty quality rating. Note, however, that these NRC rankings are based on 1994 data, and consequently are badly out of date.</p>
<p>I'd say Wisconsin in a heartbeat, especially since Madison is way more fun as a college town than Shampoo-Banana. But one caveat: Wisconsin has been fighting a tough and generally losing battle with its state legislature over funding and has been losing a lot of faculty. I'd ask around at Wisconsin and see how many top economics faculty have left or are leaving. (Grad students are probably a good source of info; they'll be freaked if their advisers or other top faculty they counted on working with are departing).</p>
<p>Even so, I don't think you can really go wrong with this choice. Bottom line, the schools are pretty similar in size, student body composition, and overall quality, and you should be able to get a good undergrad economics education at either one. So go with the one that feels like the best "fit" for you personally.</p>
<p>UW's funding has not been great but it has been better than UIUC. UW has lost about 60 people over the last few years out of over 2,000. While not a happy trend the idea that people are leaving in droves has been overblown. All state schools are losing people these days. But there are plenty happy to take their place. Here's the recent Econ Dept newsletter.</p>
<p>Thanks! I like both schools, im also considering U of Indiana-Bloomington</p>
<p>I like Illinois better as a state but Madison is gorgeous</p>
<p>U</a> of T : Economics : Department of Economics</p>
<p>Being from IL, I did not apply to U of I, but I did to Wisconsin-Madison. I prefer UW, and it is also better in economics. For me, I would MUCH rather go there, but in-state v. out-of-state tuition changes things.</p>
<p>why would you rather go UW? if considering factors outside of academics,(people, location,campus,food,housing ,international students..ect) which one is better?</p>
<p>May 25, 2008</p>
<p>There are a couple of things I won't do in this space, and one of them is criticize University of Wisconsin sports fans.</p>
<p>Sure, there are instances where small pockets of folks might need to get cuffed upside the head, but Badgers fans in general have earned a wide berth because no intercollegiate support system is more loyal, generous, enthused or diverse.</p>
<p>That said, I think the members of UW Nation need to be reminded on occasion that what they have here is pretty unique.</p>
<p>The University of Wisconsin Athletic Department is self-sufficient to the point that it projects another budget surplus for 2007-08, has $30 million in reserve and is quietly preparing to embark on another series of on-campus capital projects that will cost in excess of $100 million.</p>
<p>UW Athletics has 23 sports — three of which generate revenue for the nearly $85 million operation — and a majority of them are among the national elite.</p>
<p>If you are out of state for all these schools, then Wisconsin over Illinois and Indiana all the way.</p>
<p>^ I agree. But, if you're in-state for either Indiana or Illinois, choose the in-state option. It's not going to make a shred of difference considering the money you'd be saving.</p>
<p>I live in illinois =[</p>
<p>i like U-W campus better but Illinois seems to be better overall academically. Idk</p>
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I live in illinois
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Then, U of Illinois is the better choice. You would have to be out of your mind to pay OOS tuition for Wisconsin when you can pay in-state tuition for Illinois.</p>
<p>Outside of some engineering areas there are few areas that UW is not a bit better in than Illinois. But they certainly are close overall. I'd pay $5000/yr more to go to UW because it is more nationally diverse, social, and interesting than UI but that would be it.</p>
<p>
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I'd say Wisconsin in a heartbeat, especially since Madison is way more fun as a college town than Shampoo-Banana
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</p>
<p>Madison, imo, is the best college-town in the B10, but UIUC has a pretty fun social scene as well.</p>
<p>For in-staters, the wise choice (unless $$ is no object) would be UIUC.</p>