I’m having difficulty deciding between Georgia Tech (OOS), UVA (In-state), or Virginia Tech (In-state) for undergraduate electrical engineering. I would immediately choose Georgia Tech over these colleges, but it is significantly more expensive. ~45k vs 20k per year for VTech and UVA. I could probably pay for Georgia Tech, but I’d be in debt after 4 years. Any recommendations would be great.
Which one?: Georgia Tech (OOS), UVA (In-state), or Virginia Tech (In-state) - Electrical Engineering
This is between you and your family for the most part. We were instate in Virginia and our kids went to UVa and VT for engineering. We would definitely not have paid more for Georgia Tech . At both UVa and VT, you enter into engineering and then would move to electrical engineering later. You may get to school and decide you prefer another engineering focus, once you are exposed as a freshman to all the options. The social aspects of the schools are of course different but you can certainly do well coming out of any of these schools in engineering. . Good luck with the decision.
Thanks for the help. Georgia Tech is somewhere around 5th for engineering while VTech and UVA are around 30. This is significantly better, but it just doesn’t seem like the price is worth it.
UVA in-state is an unbeatable deal
VT is more like 15 or 16 for undergrad engineering, UVa about 34. I don’t feel like checking for sure but that is in the ballpark. All three schools have very good recruiting and outcomes.
If you are able to go to UVa or VT for only $20,000, you must be eligible for need based aid? UVa engineering these days is over $34,000 for instate engineering students. (tuition, fees, room and board , expenses). Your family then does not appear to be wealthy, so I would have a talk with them about much they will contribute. Taking out substantial loans is not a good idea. In engineering,ABET accreditation is key (and all 3 are of course ABET accredited). I did look up the current rankings-GT 4, VT, 16, UVa 32. You have three great choices.
I’d avoid the debt and go to UVa or VaTech. I’d visit both and see which environment you prefer.
VT in-state for engineering.
Either VT or UVa would provide good outcomes. The social vibes are different though, and some kids would prefer on or the other depending on fit.
As much as I love Georgia Tech, no - would not choose GT over your in-state options, both of which are fantastic in their own ways (especially with finances as a concern).