<p>im going into aerospace engineering, and im debating between these two schools. uofi has a great engineering program, but so does usc. which one should i choose? which one is better in the long run?</p>
<p>thanks for all your help =]</p>
<p>Visit both schools and compare where you feel the best fit is. The locations are very different (S. Illinois vs. S. Calif.). Also, is cost a factor in your decision?</p>
<p>I’m choosing USC over Illinois’s business school, but engineering might be a different story. U of I’s engineering program is spectacular. Like mdcissp said, their campuses are quite different, and you should also probably consider cost of attendance. USC is going to have a better social vibe than U of I, but U of I is probably at least a little bit better for job placement.</p>
<p>cost is not a factor, im more worried about the job market afterward and where i would be able to get the best engineering education possible, any ideas?</p>
<p>I don’t know too much about job opportunities for engineering, but I would guess that U of Illinois is better. It’s known to be one of the top five schools for engineering below schools like MIT and Cal Tech. I’m not quite sure where USC stands for engineering. I know it’s pretty good, but I don’t really think it compares to U of I. I believe median salaries for those who major in different types of engineering at U of I range from around 55k to 75k. I have plenty of friends who are passing up schools like Cornell, Michigan, and Georgia Tech to attend U of I for engineering. Part of that has to do with the fact that I’m in state, but they all know that it’s pretty much the best place to get a solid engineering education. Having visited both schools, I can tell you that the social life at USC is much better, but I don’t know if you really care about that.</p>
<p>yeah, ive def heard that, that usc has a better social life. and i guess the jobs wont be as important till grad school, i guess im just having a hard time deciding. im also in illinois, and i guess i dont want to stay with the crummy chicago weather compared to cali, but i guess the fact that uofi is ranked higher in engineering is bothering me. usc doesnt have a high rank, i think its 8th, while uofi is 4th, pretty close i guess?</p>
<p>According to US News, they have U of I ranked 6 for aerospace/aeronautical/astronautical engineering. USC is not listed in their top 10. Being a graduate of Purdue engineering, I am partial to Purdue which is ranked 4. Purdue is the cradle of astronauts. Neil Armstrong received his graduate degree from USC but his undergraduate degree from Purdue. Overall, for engineering, I would select U of I. USC is an up and coming engineering school.</p>
<p>that is a good view on it, so if i want to really do something with my engineering, i should just settle for u of i? i was thinking about usc’s location, Boeing being close by, and the jet propulsion lab, i could have more opportunities and such things. but i guess this deciding business should be more than ranks? should i worry about that, or just worry where i feel its nicer to be?</p>
<p>SoCal is the hub for aerospace jobs.</p>
<p>Carlos,
Uof I is ranked higher in engineering for undergraduates. However, many engineering candidates decide to change majors. How are the other schools at the university ranked?<br>
Univ. of Ill. is ranked quite a bit lower overall than SC, 40th. SC’s retention rate is higher, faculty resources is far, far higher than at U of I. Their faculty resources is ranked 81st. Student faculty ratio at SC is much better at 9/1. USC alumni give at a much higher rate than Illinois alumni and give more on average to the university.
If you want to leave the cold and feel you would grow as a person in a different part of the country try SC. Viterbi has spent millions on equipment, labs, computers, etc. It is all new.<br>
In my opinion if Illinois is significantly less expensive and you know there is no chance of changing your major then choose Illinois.
Please explain where the data is found that states U of I engineering students find jobs at a higher rate than SC engineering graduates. My brother graduated with a degree in civil engineering from SC, took the registered engineering exam and passed it the first time. He felt well prepared for the work he does in his field. That is only one example.
There are some parents of Viterbi students on this board. I hope they can add to this discussion.</p>
<p>aw, thank you Georgia Girl for helping me, you were, as everyone has been, really encouraging. i think im leaning towards usc as of now, it’s the best bet for a job in aerospace in the future, just the proximity helps. im fairly certain of having aero eng as my major, so i guess i can go to usc and incorporate it with other areas. any ideas of where i would have a greater chance of surviving, per se. i hear a lot that usc is a plain party school, that scares me since engineering will take a lot of time to do…</p>
<p>Most of Viterbi students are very serious students. As for Aerospace majors, you don’t need to worry about job placement at all. It is easy to get a job in Southern California. Even though UIUC is a better engineering school than USC, USC has higher quality student body, and is better in most of other aspects. So I think you should come to USC if cost is no different.</p>
<p>USC is not on any of the lists of party schools. Are there students who party? Yes. Are there students who party at U. of I? Yes. The reputation of SC is often that of 35 years ago. </p>
<p>From what the parents say here on the board architecture, engineering and pre-med students are not high on the list of party animals. lol</p>
<p>In the housing selections there is a quiet floor. You can choose that as a dorm choice. Others on the floor might prove to be good friends. </p>
<p>If you can possible find the time I suggest you visit the SC campus and see what it is like. Unfortunately, finals will take place shortly. The campus “vibe” will be quieter.</p>
<p>Please read the thread here about the students who have just returned from Explore. I wrote a thread about things that make SC a special place. I will bump it up if you feel as if you wish to read the post.</p>
<p>I wouldn’t say USC has better student body than UIUC engineering. UIUC engineering has ACT average of 31.5, which is impressive considering how large UIUC is.</p>
<p>I think she was speaking to the student body as a whole. USC has an extremely impressive collective student body. However, you can’t really compare public and private schools, even if the public school is solid academically.</p>
<p>My husband got his masters in Electrical Engineering from USC during a time when jobs were hard to find. He got his first job after graduation with an excellent company via the Trojan network and has been employed every day since. The USC Trojan alumni network is real and helpful. Why not ask about the job placement record at both universities? You might also see something different depending upon the particular area of engineering you choose. I suggest visiting both campuses. Air fares are down, so look and see where you feel the best over all fit is for yourself.</p>
<p>You would have no problem getting a So. Cal. engineering job from UIUC.</p>
<p>And the weather is a bit better there vrs. Chicago.</p>