<p>Hi guys so I got accepted into both universities as an undergrad; Umich for first year engineering and UT Austin for aerospace engineering. I was leaning towards going to Umich before I got accepted into UT Austin yesterday, and it's 50/50 chance right now. Currently I'm a high school senior here in Texas so UT Austin grants me in-state tuition, while Umich requires a full out-of-state tuition. I understand that the academics and college towns of both universities are equally good, and attending either wouldn't get me wrong. What I'm now looking for are factors that aren't just plain facts and figures; for example, will Austin/Texas, being a town with more potential than Detriot/Ann Arbor/Michigan, provide more job opportunities in the future, if so, to what extent? Also the college life, experiences...etc because UT has 50k ppl crowded on 300 acres while Umich has 40k ppl spreaded out on 3200acres. Does this make a difference? How? Finally, the ultimate concern is that is it worthwhile to spend 30k more every year to go to Umich because its prestige is slightly higher than UT Austin? Or is it? </p>
<p>Sorry for asking so many questions and I really appreciate your answers.</p>
<p>While they both offer benefits and have differences the difference in tuition is not worth it IMHO. I would stay with UT. But if you have a strong desire to test waters outside of Texas or have other connections that lead you to Michigan it is certainly a great opportunity. As long as the price is something you can afford.</p>
<p>While Michigan may be considered more prestigious overall, Michigan has absolutely no advantage over UT in engineering. If you are sure about engineering, then unless you really love long, cold, and dark winters, it would make little sense to go to Michigan over UT.</p>
<p>Did you ask this on the Michigan forum, too?</p>
<p>At UT the price is right, and I agree there is no big difference in the quality of the engineering. Do you prefer hot or cold weather?
I think your question about an economy on the upswing or one in the doldrums is a good one. Not sure how it would affect job offers. Both are national schools.
Say you can afford tuition at either school, will your life still be changed in other ways, like not being able to go home for Thanksgiving break? Your folks not being able to come for Parents Weekend?
Okay, to be fair, I do think it would be worth it to go to Michigan if you want to experience something different, the Midwest vs Texas. Not all learning is classroom learning. If you have never lived anywhere but Texas, that might be a reason to go somewhere else.</p>
<p>It looks like it will cost you an extra $30k/yr to go to Michigan. I don’t think you will get a better engineering education at Michigan than you will at UT. I was at Michigan years ago and while their entire campus may be 3200 acres it seems like the active campus was probably closer to the same 300 acres.</p>
<p>One thing to note in Michigan’s favor is a significantly higher 4 year graduation rate.</p>
<p>UM is generally considered more prestigious and tougher to get in. But if you look at the salaries for BS Aero Eng, 2012-13, I’m not sure if UM is worth the extra money, the cold, and the disaster of the city named Detroit.</p>
<p>Return of Investment if s/he goes to UT’s aerospace engineering looks quite high over Michigan. Even UT may be better for Michigan residents in ROI.</p>
<p>Pick UT since you’re from Texas. they are more or less the same. I was extremely interested in UMich when I was a senior in HS too, so I’ve done my research. I go to UT now.</p>