<p>I'm an undergraduate in Mechanical Engineering from India, and I've received admission to both University of Michigan-Ann Arbor and Purdue University-West Lafayette for my Masters in Mechanical Engineering. </p>
<p>Both Universities are costly, though Purdue turns out to be 10000$ cheaper per year, and the Masters programme is a 2 year course.</p>
<p>I know that UM is a better school and ranked higher than Purdue, but I would like to know the comparisons between the two with respect to the following questions I have
A> The education - how big a difference is it?
B> The job prospects for an international student who would like a career in the automotive industry.
C> The party scene in both the universities.
D> how lively is the campus in the weekends.</p>
<p>Any sort of input is highly appreciated!</p>
<p>I am only an applying freshman to the U of M, but I am also from Indiana so I know a little about both (more about Purdue of course).</p>
<p>Purdue University is a pretty well known engineering school, especially here in Indiana. Everyone always says, “You want to go into engineering? Go to Purdue for sure, then. It’s a great school.” As far the education, I haven’t heard any complaints from some of my friends that go there and I don’t hear of much intense party scenes that go on during the weekends. Then again, a lot of my friends are also not party animals, so who knows :). The campus is very handsome and you will get a good education there.</p>
<p>As far as U of M is concerned, you will probably ultimately get a slightly better education there, and most, if not all, of their programs rank above Purdue University. There is also a lot to do in Ann Arbor from what I have heard. My friend Megan goes to UMich and absolutely loves it!</p>
<p>It sounds like a lot of what you will base your decision on though is money. If Purdue is offering you a 2 year masters program vs a U of M 4 year program AND is offering it at $10,000 less a year than U of M, financially Purdue is your clear cut choice. If you want to opt in for the 4 year degree at a campus known for their highly ranked engineering departments and you have money to shell out, I would choose Michigan.</p>
<p>As for me, I am choosing U of M over Purdue because they don’t offer Naval Architecture & Marine Engineering at Purdue. If they did, I probably would have chosen Purdue and not be pulling my hair out like I’m doing right now waiting for a decision to reach me from UMich.</p>
<p>Thanx for the reply, and all the best for your U of M admit, hope to see you there!</p>
<p>The masters course at the U of M is also a 2 year course. I think I’m gonna choose U of M finally, coz the returns will be higher anyway after I graduate.</p>
<p>Any idea about the job placements for graduate international students at the two universities?</p>
<p>I am in the same position as you!! however I am also considering 2 other schools along with purdue and mich. I visited both schools only once so I don’t really know much about the party scene or how lively it is. But I feel that at Michigan, it’s basically in that right there near the downtown ann arbor, lots to do and i got a better vibe from it. With each school you will get a great education, both schools have great opportunities, internships and job placement. You really can’t go wrong with each, but Michigan is a bit more prestigious than Purdue. That said, Michigan is more expensive for me as well and I have to consider if its worth it. Best of luck</p>
<p>@OrangesAreYummy As you reply to this thread, OP should have graduated already. This thread is from 2011.</p>
<p>Well. OrangesAreYummy has been banned and his post has been removed.</p>