Undergraduate engineering: USC, UW, or UCLA?

College Search & Selection
1

<p>Hi, I'm a prospective college freshman who is currently deciding which colleges to attend. I'm an Oregon resident planning on majoring in engineering (compsci, electrical, chemical, or mechanical), and I've narrowed down the schools to these three choices:</p>

<p>UCLA HSSEAS
USC Viterbi
UW Engineering</p>

<p>Which school would be overall best for engineering for its price tag? I receive pretty much no aid from any of these schools and I haven't heard back about scholarships (no trustee or presidential from USC though).</p>

<p>Thanks.</p>

2

<p>You haven't told us the price tags. UCLA out-of-state is pretty pricey, how much less is it than USC? How much is UW Engineering? Where do you want to work after college? Or are you thinking about grad school?</p>

3

<p>Oh, sorry.</p>

<p>UW: $35k/year
UCLA: $46.7k/year
USC: $46.9/year</p>

<p>This is assuming no scholarships, and I have no financial aid to any of these so far. (no aid at UW, $246.00 at UCLA, no statement from USC)</p>

<p>I'm not sure what my plan is yet. Most likely I'll get a master's in grad school.</p>

<p>[EDIT]
my other options:
UCI $43k
UCSD $45k
UOregon $15k but no engineering program</p>

4

<p>Wait till you get all your options on the table in terms of financial aid.</p>

<p>Right now, I would consider UW for $35k/year as a top choice. It has very good engineering programs...and potentially saving $48k is significant.</p>

5

<p>I'm from Oregon and I'm choosing between UW and USC business. If I wasn't getting a 17k scholarship from USC, which you're not, I would pick UW in a heartbeat.</p>

6

<p>Which UW are you talking about? Since you're in Oregon, I'm assuming you mean Washington?</p>

<p>Anyway, the prices are close enough that it won't make too much of a difference which one you go to. Which school do you like best?</p>

7

<p>I think it depends on your family situation, whether it's really a stretch or not, how much debt you're going to have to take on yourself in the end, and what sacrifices you all are going to be making. The differences aren't so great to offer an obvious answer. Certainly, going to University of Washington is going to be the safest best money wise, and no risk really...</p>

<p>Part of the question also is do you want to stay in the Pacific Northwest or do you want to be in LA. There is quite a big difference in weather and culture, etc.</p>