I’ve been admitted to both UIUC and University of Minnesota for Civil Engineering. Beyond rankings, which I know Illinois is known for within the civil engineering world, what are the advantages/disadvantages between the two? I’m an in-state student and each school is relatively the same price. I know that UIUC has many more requirements (like language, econ.) than Minnesota does, which kind of pushes me away. I plan on pursuing a career in Chicago, and starting salary is important.
Attend UIUC, which is better for your chosen program. Any additional language requirements is a minor consideration. Attending non-stem type classes will feel like a vacation for you.
Isn’t UIUC #1 in the country for Civil Engineering? If cost is relatively the same, then no contest for UIUC. However, it depends what kind of campus you want. I have heard Minnesota is more urban and in the city, and UIUC is college town. For Chicago jobs, UIUC has more weight than Minnesota and more companies probably come to UIUC as well. For things like weather, it’s probably equal - both suck.
MN is much colder with significantly longer winters.
Twin Cities aren’t bad, but if you want to end up in Chicago, I don’t see why you would not go to UIUC with costs being the same. Plus, you may not think so now, but your adult self probably will wish that your college self took more language classes during college.
If you took 3 years of a Language in High School then you do not have to take more at UIUC if in COE and some other schools. If you’re in LAS or DGS it’s 4 years of a High School language. My adult self does not wish I had taken any additional language classes that I took in college, and in fact, wish I had not had to take any. (I had 2 years in HS and 1 in College). Most students in high school however, take at least 2 if not 3, so if you have any, that should help. I’d also take them at a JUCO. I have heard the language courses at UIUC are a bitch.