UIUC vs UMichigan Aerospace Engineering

College Search & Selection
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I’ve been accepted to UIUC’s Mechanical Engineering program (along with honors program) and UMichigan’s College of Engineering. Since I am in-state, tuition is much less at UIUC and I’ve also received a presidential scholarship to attend as well as an extra $2,000 a year (total $12,000 a year in scholarships) while Michigan does not notify you of any scholarships until you actually accept to go there.

My question is, which school would be better for me? A lot of people I know go to UIUC and I kind of want to get away from knowing a lot of people from my high school. I also think college sports are important which gives Michigan the lead. I am also looking to be in the field of Aerospace Engineering perhaps to work at NASA or other private Astrospace companies. I’d like to make my decision not based on money since I know I’ll be taking out loans anyways, but it’s really hard to when UIUC will only cost $13,000 a year for me while Michigan will cost $50,000+.

Any advice is appreciated! Thank you!

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Michigan is the better overall school, and is particularly well ranked in aerospace engineering, but UIUC is great for all sorts of engineering - and that tuition difference is a lot of money. I mean, a LOT of money. That difference will pay for a lot of future grad school costs, or for a downpayment on a house, etc.

If you are a top 2% family in income and assets, then go wherever you want. Otherwise, I don’t think the difference is worth it in this case (and I’m saying that as someone who went to Michigan for grad school and really likes the place)

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and I kind of want to get away from knowing a lot of people from my high school.
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UIUC has a lot of students you won’t know, particularly in eng’g.

No one should borrow large amounts of money just to avoid a few high school people.


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I also think college sports are important which gives Michigan the lead.

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If that were important to you, why didn’t you apply to affordable schools that have big sports?


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I am also looking to be in the field of Aerospace Engineering perhaps to work at NASA or other private Astrospace companies.

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It doesnt’ matter UIUC or UMich for this


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I’d like to make my decision not based on money since I know I’ll be taking out loans anyways, but it’s really hard to when UIUC will only cost $13,000 a year for me while Michigan will cost $50,000+.


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YOU can only borrow $5,500 as a freshman.

It would be crazy, anyway, to borrow that much for Umich.

What are your parents saying? How much will they pay each year? How will you cover the $13k per year for UIUC??

What are your stats??

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Everyone’s financial situation is different. If your family can swing it, Michigan’s aerospace engineering program is second to none. You can visit the north campus at Michigan and see how integral Michigan has been to NASA through the decades. My son is in the engineering school at Michigan, though not in aerospace. It’s a kickass program and notoriously rigorous, and the alumni network at Michigan is unparalleled. I went to Harvard back in the day (when mere mortals could still get in), and honestly, I’m really impressed by the programs offered at Michigan. My son was offered merit aid at Case Western, and could have attended the flagship SUNY (State University of New York) university (Binghamton) at their College of Engineering in the Honors Program, for a fraction of what Michigan cost. He would have gotten a stellar education at either institution, but my husband and I feel it’s worth the money to see our son so happy. It’s just a great fit for him. We’re not indifferent to the money, but we both work and have saved for college since he was born. And as I started out saying in this comment, everyone’s financial situation is different. Visit Michigan with your parents. Then have that conversation with your parents, and follow their lead.

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My faculty adviser is a UIUC alum and he’s done reasonably well in life. He’s a distinguished full professor and holds an endowed chair in EE at ucla. I wouldn’t go into that much debt just to attend UMich vs your great instate option.

6

Well my parents are divorced and my mom makes a lot more than my dad and she also has a husband who also makes as much as her. I know she will help me pay for the schooling and I’m going to apply for as many scholarships as possible but I just don’t know which school will get me further career-wise. Michigan hasn’t told me whether or not I have any automatic scholarships yet so I will make sure to keep that in mind. Thanks for you input.

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Please ask your mom how much she’ll pay each year for college.

What are your test scores?

UMich isn’t known for much merit.

Applying for many scholarships likely won’t help that much. Those are typically for only freshman year and many are for lowish income students.


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know I'll be taking out loans anyways

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Why did you say this?

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mom2collegekids
I took the ACT and got a 33 (not too good but about the median for test scores at Michigan but above average for UIUC)

My mom said she’ll at least pay $20,000 a year (depending on which school but I’m sure she’ll pay for more if I am truly wanting to attend Michigan).

I know I will have to take out loans anyways for both colleges because I do not have a huge amount in savings and my parents want me to pay for at least some of my schooling.

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I think you need to find out specifically from your mom if she’ll pay (or how much) if you go to Michigan. If she won’t cover enough so that your loans are the same whether you attend Michigan or UIUC, then go to UIUC.

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Since you asked for advice, I’ll chime in. People can share their experience and opinion, but we don’t know you so we can’t really answer your question…“which school would be better for me?” I think the schools are comparable. The school can assist you in reaching your goals, but ultimately your ‘success’ will depend on you…your aptitude, your attitude, your focus, your drive, etc.

So this is what I suggest. First, I would look at the total cost for your desired undergrad degree…sometimes the per annum amount can be deceiving…UIUC at $52,000 versus $200,000 (probably closer to $240,000) at U of M. Frankly, in my opinion, Michigan would not be worth it. I understand ‘not wanting to base your decision on money’, but unfortunately it’s what adults often have to do. Making compromises based on your wants and needs is a fact of life. Consider how/what your future self will think and feel.

^^ Oh, I just saw your post that your mom is willing to pay $20,000 per year…ask her directly if $50,000+ per year is even feasible. She may be like my husband and me. We could afford Michigan for our son, but frankly didn’t want to fund that option when he was accepted at UIUC (also, instate for us). In our mind, a quarter of a million dollars for an undergrad degree is ridiculous.

Second, I would research your AP credits at both schools. We found Illinois to be very generous in awarding credit…without penalty. Whereas at Michigan, if you take the AP credit, it can bump you up to the higher tuition level, making your degree even more expensive. (Note: I don’t know if this is still true…my son was looking to attend in the Fall of 2015, so they may have changed their tiered tuition based on credit hours.)

Lastly, I would plan a visit to UIUC when school is back in session. Make an appointment and shadow a student. Go in with an open mind and realize it makes the most financial sense. http://engineering.illinois.edu/admissions/visit-campus/

Btw, my son and daughter both attend U of I. They went to a west (Chicago) suburban high school that sends around 40 students per year there. They would tell you they don’t feel like it’s an extension of high school. They rarely see most of them…and when they do, it’s not a bad thing. Your mindset will affect your happiness in this matter.

I’m tired so I hope this post made sense. Good luck with your decision!

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One more thing…yeah, the sports scene is lacking, but my kids would tell you watching the Cubs win the World Series was so much fun on campus. They sent pictures from Green Street, which was closed due to the crowds, and the bars. They like being with fellow Cubs and Blackhawks fans…so there’s that.

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Your ACT isn’t high enough for merit from UMIch so don’t count on any. As you indicated, your score isn’t high for UMich, so you already knew this.

You don’t seem to understand. YOU can only borrow 5500 for freshman year, so unless your mom will pay 45k+ for UMich, it won’t be affordable. And junior and senior years at Umich are more expensive.

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know I will have to take out loans anyways for both colleges because I do not have a huge amount in savings and my parents want me to pay for at least some of my schooling.
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This makes NO SENSE. You said that UIUC will only cost you 13k per year, and your mom will pay 20k per year. Are you saying that if you go to UIUC then your mom will pay LESS than 13k per year just to make you take out loans??? AND…you’re claiming that if you go to UMich that she’ll probably pay more than 20k if you “truly want to go to” Umichigan??? Crazy

Well, even if your parents do a nutty thing like making you borrow to attend UIUC, but will pay 4 times more for you to attend UIUC, then you’d still end up with MUCH BIGGER debt attending UMich…so simply the issue that you’d have to bother either way is not a simple matter. Borrowing 20k total for UIUC isn’t a big deal. Borrowing 80k-100k+ for Umich is a HUGE deal.

Your thinking is like me saying, “Well, I have to borrow for a new car whether I buy a $20k car or a $100k car, so what’s the difference? I have to borrow either way.” Do you see how crazy that is??

I think you need clarification from mom.

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There is your answer. Go to UIUC and save the money.

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UIUC is the much more affordable and wiser choice for the OP. Unless he/she really dislikes the campus at UC, it is really the way to go. If the OP can’t stand the thought of living in UC, then perhaps there are other less expensive alternatives he/she has that are more affordable?

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Ack!! Middle of the night mistake…should say…

Well, even if your parents do a nutty thing like making you borrow to attend UIUC, but will pay 4 times more for you to attend **UMich, **then you’d still end up with MUCH BIGGER debt attending UMich…

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