UT Austin vs. Purdue - Civil Engineering, please help

Colleges and Universities A-Z The University of Texas at Austin
1

<p>I was accepted to UT Austin and Purdue. MS program. Here is what I have so far:</p>

<ol>
<li>According to the USNews rankings 2014, UT Austin ranks number 5 and Purdue ranks 6 in civil engineering. That slight differience is ignorable because both in top 10.</li>
<li>Purdue is famous for its engineering school. However UT Austin has a better overall ranking performance.</li>
<li>Purdue is located in a small town, the cold wether is also a disadvantage. In the Midwest Purdue is often overshadowed by UIUC, UMich...</li>
<li>The tuition of UT Austin seems cheaper than that of Purdue. </li>
</ol>

<p>Things to consider:
1. Reputation
2. Quality of education
3. Internship and employment opportunities</p>

<p>I prefer Purdue for its reputation in engineering, but worry about its intenship and employment opportunities. I would greatly appreciate any opinion on either, ESPECIALLY if you are familiar with either.</p>

<p>Thanks a lot.</p>

2

<p>Hi,
I am an alumini of both UT-Austin and Purdue and I am a Civil Engineer. Academically Both schools have an excellent program and are neck to neck in Industry. However I will vote for UT-Austin for following reasons:

  1. UT-Austin is located in Austin city which is capital of Texas and is also in close proximity with Houston. I think job opportunity wise it is more ideally situated than Purdue. West Lafayette is just a small campus town and you don’t get so many interview opportunities.
  2. UT-Austin tuition fee is less than Purdue.
  3. More Research Assistantship RA & TA opportunities at UT-Austin
  4. Weather at Austin is warm and almost stays the same all year around. West Lafayette at Purdue have proper four seasons and there is serious snowing during the winter.
    However West Lafayette being in Midwest is the most friendly place you will ever find. Beautiful campus life with such nice Midwest people in contrast to the Texan attitude haha.</p>
3

<p>UT-Austin has an EXCELLENT reputation in civil engineering. In the northeast, at least, it commands more respect than Purdue.</p>

<p>And knowing the CE faculty, you would get outstanding instruction and research opportunities. The structural lab is amazing, too. I wouldn’t think twice about accepting UT’s offer.</p>

<p>Aren’t you receiving tuition and a stipend at both schools? That is what commonly happens for master’s candidates.</p>