<p>Hi guys so I got accepted into both universities as an undergrad; Umich for first year engineering and UT Austin for aerospace engineering. I was leaning towards going to Umich before I got accepted into UT Austin yesterday, and it's 50/50 chance right now. Currently I'm a high school senior here in Texas so UT Austin grants me in-state tuition, while Umich requires a full out-of-state tuition. I understand that the academics and college towns of both universities are equally good, and attending either wouldn't get me wrong. What I'm now looking for are factors that aren't just plain facts and figures; for example, will Austin/Texas, being a town with more potential than Detriot/Ann Arbor/Michigan, provide more job opportunities in the future, if so, to what extent? Also the college life, experiences...etc because UT has 50k ppl crowded on 300 acres while Umich has 40k ppl spreaded out on 3200acres. Does this make a difference? How? Finally, the ultimate concern is that is it worthwhile to spend 30k more every year to go to Umich because its prestige is slightly higher than UT Austin? Or is it? </p>
<p>Sorry for asking so many questions and I really appreciate your answers.</p>
<p>Both schools are good, but you do need to consider the cost. If I were you, I would pick UT Austin unless you can get a lot of merit aid to cover at least part of the difference in cost. I was from Texas but I have been living in Ann Arbor for 15 years. Austin has better landscape. Ann Arbor is close to Chicago and Toronto (you may skip Detroit). While the closest city to Austin is San Antonio, Dallas, and Houston. I think the campus is pretty comparable. Cost should be your main consideration more than the reputation of the engineering schools.</p>
<p>I like the campus in Ann Arbor better than Austin. I also do not find Texas to be a pretty state. To each his own.</p>
<p>Definitely should stay instate. Better weather, better economy. Cost of living is about the same. Similar prestige and ranked programs and nit to mention sports tradition. Really can’t think of reasom where UMich is worth oos tuition for</p>
<p>Michigan is a bit more prestigious, but not worth the difference in cost.</p>
<p>Texas-Austin is excellent. Unless your parents are very wealthy, or you get a handsome and generous scholarship, very few universities are worth the extra cost. MIT and Stanford are the only two Engineering programs worth the extra cost. Even Caltch and Cal aren’t worth it.</p>
<p>I think otherwise from everybody above…
I gave up a full ride to UIUC (in state) to go to Umich with a half-scholarship. Many of my highschool friends went to UIUC and I can say that I am very glad I chose Umich instead. </p>
<p>Nice to hear a different opinion sjkim1494. Glad you are enjoying Michigan!</p>
<p>It is currently 6 degrees in Ann Arbor and it will be 78 in Austin on Friday. You go to college over the winter months. Being from Texas, are you prepared to deal with a long bleak winter? I am talking 3 solid months of ~30 degrees or colder and 2 months ~50. Also, while improving, Michigan’s economy has been extremely poor for many years and lot’s of people need to leave the state to get high quality jobs.</p>
<p>If your dream is to work for one of the Autos, then maybe UM would make some sense. Other than that, head to Austin, it’s a booming, vibrant city and 6th street can’t be beat. </p>
<p>Ann Arbor may be cold, but it’s consistently rated one of the best college towns in the U.S. Few UM grads go to work for the car companies; many leave the state. I’d agree though, that if you pay in-state at UT and would have to spring for out-of-state at UM, it would make more sense to stay in Texas. I would also agree, however, that UM has somewhat more prestige, not that Texas is at all a second-rate school. </p>
<p>I’d lean towards staying in state. The economy is horrible and getting worse. Don’t load up on debt. A2 is an incredible place but not worth starting life in debt. UT is just fine.</p>
<p>plus if there’s a better location than Ann Arbor (excluding the weather factor), that would be Austin. The only downside is the radical liberals there, but the same can be said about Ann Arbor anyway.</p>
<p>UMichigan has a little bit more prestige, but not 30k per year more in prestige. That’s a $120,000 difference over the course of your undergraduate education! You’re well on your way to buying a house with that kind of money.</p>
<p>UT Austin is still an extremely well-regarded school in one of the best cities in the state, and strong STEM programs. There will be plenty of internship/career and social opportunities in Austin.</p>
<p>I’m glad to see that people have learned that expense is a huge issue these days. 5 years ago they’d be saying go for the marginal prestige.</p>
<p>Where did you decide @ImStarry </p>