<p>You can participate in more interesting research, that’s one good reason.</p>
<p>But I’d say the gap in resources between MIT and Big State University is smaller than it used to be, as far as an undergrad (even one who wants to plug into undergraduate research) is concerned.</p>
<p>I think once you reach a certain level it’s not that huge a difference (there’s a big difference between studying engineering at South Dakota State U. and Ohio State U., but less of a difference between Ohio State U. and MIT for undergrad, IMHO), unless there is something especially good about X university’s program in Y engineering.</p>
<p>And, of course, if you plan to go to grad school, even “just” for a MS, your top undergrad school makes you a shoe-in for a top grad school.</p>