Can someone help me in choosing either of the two colleges mentioned above? I am from India and not able to decide which one to choose. If we look at it from the ranking point of view, University of Florida has a better ranking however several friends suggested that U mass is a better option as it has a better brand name and job opportunities in the long run. Please advice and help me out.
What about a financial point of view? Are both affordable?
What about the weather? You will need to love winter at UMass, but not at FL.
Financial point of view, they are both affordable for me. And weather is not a factor either , I don’t mind going to a hot or a cold place - I’m just looking it at the criteria i mentioned above
In my opinion…you should forget about the rankings here. These are both flagship research universities. Look at the other qualities the schools have that re entering into your decision. The rankings just don’t matter.
If you kid wants to work in Miami, it’s very likely that the folks there will be lots more familiar with UF than UMass. If your kid wants to work in Hartford, or Springfield MA, then UMass would be more familiar than UF.
And for engineering…if the schools have ABET accreditation…really they are both on pretty equal footing.
- Are they ABET accredited?
- Do you like warmer weather or colder weather?
I wouldn’t choose between those schools based on brand name.
New UMass grads are competing with grads from elite private schools in Massachusetts while UFlorida grads are graduating from the best school in their area. However, once the grads of either school land that first job, the degrees are worth about the same in the long run.
To a lay person who doesn’t know too much about either college it seems like UMass wouild have better job prospects just based on its location.
UMass is part of the consortium, so if you think you’d like to take a class at Amherst or Smith, that might be a reason to pick UMass.
UMass is in the western most part of Massachusetts. It’s not like it’s located in Boston.
@thumper1, UMass may not be in Boston, but I wouldn’t call it “westernmost part of MA” – it’s not sitting on the NY border like Pittsfield, for example. It’s directly north of Springfield MA and Hartford CT.
UMASS places kids throughout New England, NY, NJ and elsewhere. Lots of F500 companies in the NE.
I live bout an hour from UMass. I know exactly where it’s located…my husband used to work in Springfield.
It is NOT in the most bustling part of Massachusetts. Yes…not as remote as Pittsfield. But certainly not close to Boston which is where a lot of business is in MA.
But the OP really is comparing apples with apples…these are both fine flagship universities. The rankings don’t matter that much. And really, location wise, they are about equal in terms of proximity to jobs.
Gainesville is also about 1.5-2 hours from anywhere - Tampa, Jacksonville, Orlando, much farther to Miami.
I think both schools have the same name recognition in the US, but maybe in India one is better known?
They are both pretty much the same academic-wise, as others have already pointed out. Is one location closer to where you may have some family/friends? Is food an issue? UMass Amherst has really good food, and if your child is vegetarian, they may have more choices. (I’ve been to Amherst, but not Gainesville ). So it’s really down to non-academic things.
You are an international student. When you finish college and any OPT, you will need to go home.
Do employers in your country (not your friends or your relatives) prefer one or the other? Have you asked the Career Centers at each university about internships and OPT placement for international students with your major?