<p>I have been accepted at both and am trying to decide between the two. I would like to hear from anyone who is familiar w/either curriculum or both (preferably). Are the programs equal in difficulty? Do employers favor one school over the other? I know Northeastern is known for the co-op program but UMASS has it too - just not part of the curriculum.</p>
<p>I have friends in both schools that are majoring in engineering. From what I hear (both of them are pretty bright kids) that NU and UMASS are no breeze in the park. Both have a great reputation for engineering and Northeastern Co-Op program is really solid.</p>
<p>If it were me I would probably go to UMASS because it is way cheaper, unless I had a sweet scholarship to NU or money wasn’t a factor. I think the education is pretty much the same and either one will give you a good paying job. Just depends how much you want to pay for it.</p>
<p>Northeastern has stated that they intend to phase out the coop program and focus on awarding a degree in 4 years. The coop program might still be offered, but might not work well with course schedules. If you are in-state, UMass is at least half the cost.</p>
<p>Thanks. I didn’t hear it that way - I heard that they are offering a 4-year option but the coops are done in the summer etc - less vacation time. NEU is so well-known for coop that I can’t believe they would phase it out.</p>
<p>I have two friends who graduated from NU in engineering and three who graduated from UMASS. They are all equally bright and motivated. However, the two who graduated from NU are both doing much better than any of the UMASS grads. They both work for companies they did co-ops with. One has already been promoted to team leader after having only been working for them full-time for a year and a half. The co-op gave him a huge headstart. </p>
<p>The Umass grads are all doing very well too. They are all making decent salaries, but it was almost impossible for them to gain the caliber of internship that the NU students secured during college.</p>
<p>northeastern is not phasing out the 5 year option. They simply announced a 4 year option</p>
<p>UMass has a great department, but it has been my observation that companies in Boston really like NU graduates. As previous poster have said, that coop program can really pay off.</p>
<p>Being located in Boston is a huge advantage - companies in the area can hire students part-time, for summer internships or for coops. UMass Boston has a webpage with spring and summer internships but they are all in the Boston area and you have to be able to get to the companies. Not that hard if you’re already in Boston but if you’re going to UMass Amherst, it means that you have to secure housing for a few months.</p>