USC vs. Rice for Environmental Engineering

College Search & Selection
1

With Rice, I would have to pay nothing. No loans, and no out-of-pocket money.

With USC, it would be $2,500 after ~$6,300 in loans. I’m going to try an appeal but based on their aid policy, it seems futile, I estimated a little high and didn’t count any potential scholarships or summer jobs (neither of which I have right now), just to have a worst-case scenario.

USC has an accelerated MS program, which is awesome. Their alumni network is also pretty big and powerful, so that could give me an edge when looking for jobs. Maybe that’s an even trade off? On the other hand, Houston is great for engineering. If money weren’t a factor, I’d go with USC, but I don’t know if turning down Rice is smart when their aid is better and their engineering is also top-notch. Any thoughts? Also, which one has the better engineering program?

2

5 year Masters program***

3

Anyone?

4

The numbers make sense only if you get the MS from USC to save money on grad school, which will cost more than the savings at Rice. Best of luck and Fight On!

5

Thank you for your input @SeattleTW :slight_smile:

6

Any non-engineering comparisons of overall student life at both schools would be helpful too

7

The atmospheres are totally different but I can see myself at both. Okay, I prefer USC slightly, but…

With Rice, I would have $2,500 every year as net cost, max. (I spoke with someone and it could be reduced to 0, but let’s assume 2,500 to be safe). There were no loans in my package.

With USC, it would be almost 9k+ (the remainder AFTER loans would be $2,500+). I’m going to try to appeal but based on their aid policy, this seems futile,

I estimated a little high and didn’t count any potential scholarships or summer jobs (neither of which I have right now), just to have a worst-case scenario.

USC’s engineering department is slightly better than Rice’s and they have a 5 year Masters, which is awesome. Their alumni network is also pretty big and powerful, so that could give me an edge when looking for jobs. Maybe that’s an even trade off? On the other hand, Houston is great for engineering. If money weren’t a factor, I’d go with USC, but I don’t know if turning down Rice is smart when their aid is better and their engineering is also top-notch. Any thoughts?