How do these two schools match up in their engineering?
they’re pretty close, and both named for Qualcomm founders. UCSD is generally considered stronger in the engineering sciences, but has the resource disadvantage of being a public school. Depending on the specific engineering field, I’d still most likely recommend UCSD for a BS, an MS, and a PhD.
@kect As @doctorp mentions, the programs are considered pretty generally on the same level. Many of the students we talked to over the last couple of years while our D researched schools had been accepted to both and had to make the same choice as you so they clearly pull a good amount of their student bodies from the same pool.
Assuming you’re asking about undergrad:
Some of the major differences. At UCSD it can be harder to change within engineering if you find you like a particular major more than the one you were accepted to. At Viterbi you can change (assuming you are willing to take any additional courses) without issue. UCSD engineering is much more male-skewed (~75/25) than Viterbi (~60/40) if that matters either way. The campus vibe is different obviously La jolla v LA. UCSD has a slightly longer average time to degree (4.4 years for engineering)
But the biggest issue would be money. If the cost is the same, I’d go with whichever lifestyle suits you, but if one is significantly less expensive than the other, I’d seriously consider that school, unless there was a very strong reason not to. The education in terms of opportunities, faculty and resources will be fairly similar.
both great,
i assume ur instate, so UCSD is cheaper
UCSD has excelletn engr- wats ur specific field tho-
i might be a triton too
If you are instate and UCSD is cheaper that’s a big consideration. I believe as was stated above, USC offers more flexibility for switching majors, double-majoring, and having minors.
The WISE program is designed to support female engineering students. There are non-work study opportunities to do research and help co-author papers at USC as an engineering undergrad.
Sorry, no experience with UCSD.
Another thing to consider: Huge alumni network at USC; huge school spirit at USC.