<p>Pros and Cons of both these universities? As far as ECON MAJOR is concerned which one would you pick and why?</p>
<p>By UCD, do you mean UC-Davis? If so, are you a resident of CA? If that is the case, UCD would be a much better deal than BU. If you are out of state, UCD is still roughly $10k cheaper, but that’s not as significant. </p>
<p>Academically, they are roughly equal. Both have strong Economics departments. </p>
<p>In terms of environment, they are very different. </p>
<p>So, if the cost differential is not that great (assuming you are OOS) or if financial concerns are not an issue, then I recommend you go for the school where you think you would have a better experience. On the other hand, should cost be a factor, since the schools are of equal quality, I would go for the cheaper option.</p>
<p>^Generally agree, however since UC schools don’t give adequate financial aid to OOS students, if cost is a factor I would go with BU (assuming OOS, if instate UCD would definitely be cheaper). I also like the whole location aspect of BU much better than UCD, but that’s just me.</p>
<p>ToTheSky, it is a myth that private universities offer more financial aid than public universities. Out of hundreds of private universities, only 50 or 60, mostly LACs and very wealthy research universities, are truly generous. BU is not one of those schools. </p>
<p>As for location, many would prefer Davis to Boston.</p>
<p>Looking specifically at both the Economics Departments at both these colleges, I would choose BU. BU’s Economics program is very reputable and it’s graduate program is even better. Economics majors at BU go off to very good grad schools and go on to great jobs. I’m not too familiar with UCD’s program, but I know BU’s econ program well enough to choose that over UCD.</p>
<p>For economics and assuming your not in CA, go with BU. Boston is a great town for Econ majors to find internships during college and careers afterwards. Going to a home town school will also be great for networking.</p>
<p>gingeralelover, you should know both programs well enough if you are to dispense such advice. As it turns out, BU’s Economics department is generally ranked anywhere between #20 and #30 in the nation, whereas UCD’s Economics department is ranked anywhere between #30 and #40 in the nation. In other words, those two universities have strong but not great Economics departments. In terms of overall quality, UCD and BU are also roughly equal (UCD is ranked #42 in the nation overall with a PA score of 3.8 according to the USNWR and BU is ranked #54 in the nation with a PA score of 3.4).</p>
<p>Also, many seem to think that Davis in an insignificant village in the middle of nowhere. It isn’t. It is a quaint college town located 15 miles West of Sacramento (the Capital of CA, so many opportunities for internships) and 70 miles East of San Francisco. As one of the better UCs (not quite on par with Cal, UCLA and UCSD but as good as UCI and UCSB), a degree from Davis will open doors in CA, particularly in the Bay area.</p>
<p>From an academic and professional placement point of view, those two schools are pretty much even. As such, there are two major factors to concider here:</p>
<p>1) Finances. At full cost, UCD costs in-staters $25,000 and out-of-staters $45,000. BU costs $55,000. Those two universities have 20,000 undergrads each and endowments of roughly $800 million each. As such, it is unlikely that either will be generous with scholarships or aid. Unless the OP states otherwise, I will go on the assumption that he will have to oay full tuition. And since OOS students would seldom consider UCD, I will go on the assumption that he is a CA resident. </p>
<p>2) Setting preference. UCD has a well defined campus and is located in a quaint college town. BU has no real campus and is located in a large city. Depending on the OP’s preference, one setting may be preferable to the other.</p>
<p>I would look at those two criteria since they are pretty even in most other ways.</p>
<p>Being in CA, davis would be a better choice then. Thank You all for the help</p>
<p>If both schools are at full cost, then yes, UCD is a much better choice. We are talking about academic peers and at $120,000 more over four years, BU makes no sense.</p>
<p>There is something to be said something to be said for experiencing a new part of the country. That was part of the reason I chose my own college over UNC Chapel Hill, despite the latter being an excellent bargain and having a classics department that can go toe to toe with any in the country.</p>
<p>Boston U is quite generous with merit aid as colleges go and is one of the few to offer substantial merit aid even to transfer applicants.</p>
<p>Assuming you haven’t been admitted to both yet (which seems likely), the best course of action is simply to wait, see where you get in, and compare financial aid offers. </p>
<p>Any predictions or generalizations at this point are mostly useless.</p>
<p>^^^</p>
<p>One can always experience other parts of the country (or the world) thru travel. Since the OP will be saving a TON of money by going to UCD, he’ll be able to do such traveling.</p>
<p>And, there’s always grad school.</p>
<p>To the OP: if you’re applying to UC’s anyway, have you considered UCSD?</p>
<p>UCSD actually has a better economics program than either UCD or BU and is, all things being equal, a better school as well.</p>
<p>Just a thought…</p>
<p>yes, i have applied there aswell</p>