I’m constantly on the lookout for good / solid engineering and computer science (CS) programs for students who may have stumbled a little in high school.
This post is an FYI and maybe if people know more about this school they can chime in.
York College of PA looks great so far.
- ABET-accredited engineering and CS programs
- 3.4 average GPA acceptance
- Decent FA – for the lowest income groups, College Navigator says that the average cost is $17K per year. While not pennies by any measure, it’s still a private engineering education for much less than, say, Drexel ($25K) or RIT ($22K)
- Located in PA – so not as snowy and cold as, say, Clarkson and RIT.
Downside looks to be name recognition, modern campus in a smallish town.
Hmmm, I could’ve sworn I checked into this for my son and they did not have civil engineering. But I just looked and it’s listed now. Are all their engineering programs ABET accredited? May need to add this to the list.
http://main.abet.org/aps/AccreditedProgramsDetails.aspx?OrganizationID=531&ProgramIDs= is York’s ABET listing, which has computer engineering, computer science, electrical engineering, and mechanical engineering. https://www.ycp.edu/about-us/accreditations/ mentions the same programs as being accredited by ABET.
Due to the importance of ABET accreditation in civil engineering (because civil engineers commonly seek PE licensing), a prospective civil engineering student considering York should find out if York is seeking ABET accreditation in civil engineering and what the time line is.
$17k net price is still a lot for a student from a <$30k/year income family.
Many students will find that their states have moderately selective state universities with ABET accredited engineering programs. (But perhaps less so in Pennsylvania, where the PASSHE schools tend not to offer much in terms of engineering programs.)
I didn’t check all of their engineering programs, actually. It’s worth the look, though!
@taverngirl
Have you checked out University of the Pacific for civil engineering? Costs are not terrible and they may offer have coop programs–as some of their departments do.
@dustyfeathers thanks for the suggestion, but he wants to stay in the northeast. We really do have a big enough list at this point (actually looking to cull it down) but at his level (B student) we haven’t come across many with coop opps.
Some colleges that do not make co-op a prominent part of the degree program do offer optional formalized co-ops, at least for engineering students.
Civil Engineering was a new program at York a few years ago. (I can’t remember how many years). I’m sure the school is seeking ABET accreditation for this program but may need to wait until the first class graduates to obtain it.
We visited York and my son applied. It’s not his top choice but they gave good money and its on our list. He already got accepted. I liked the small feel and the professors really get to know you. I would check it out for those on the fence. They have co-op and a good list of companies they work with. Alumni from program came and spoke… they all had jobs after graduation.
I’ll be following along here! Sorry to hijack! York sounds interesting I will be looking into it.
Our son who’s a junior has a strong GPA around the 94/95% mark but his SAT and ACT scores not so great he’s getting around a 1200 on the SAT 24 ACT he’ll take it a few more times but standardize tests are just not his strong suit And not overly outgoing and lacking in ECs he is a fantastic jazz piano player and has been studying jazz piano under a college professor here for a few years and studied Piano in general since he’s been very young. we will have that supplement for his application but he’s not planning on studying music. He is in project lead the way here in NY
AP physics, pre-calculus and doing very well in those classes and enjoys math and science.
we’re trying to find a school for him that isn’t going to break the bank that my husband and I can afford to send him to and if he does decide on studying engineering ( civil /environmental) a good option be there for him. Toying with a trip up to the University of Maine it’s about seven hours from my house a little further than we’d like…I’d like to add another school on to that trip as well.
@rlc010203 Wentworth, Manhattan, and UHartford might be on your way to Maine (not sure where you’re traveling from) and offer good merit.
We are north of Albany…
Manhattan is on our radar but it’s definitely not on the way to Maine seems very expensive, I think Wentworth is too specific of a school for him, I don’t think he wants to go to a technical school. I haven’t looked into Hartford but will
I know there’s a few in Connecticut his counselor suggested on our list New Haven and Fairfield I think?
I assume web will do a New York /Connecticut trip later this year…
Thoughts on UMass Lowell or UNH?
Yes, Manhattan is expensive but they give a lot of merit. We visited UNew Haven but did not like the campus at all. They give great merit. Fairfield is nice but doesn’t have civil e. Lowell and UNew Hampshire are excellent options. UNew Hampshire expensive - rarely gives much merit to OOSers.
@taverngirl thank you!
I’m excited to see U Maine with him not sure which other we will piggyback on this trip… he’s also thinking maybe civil or environmental
We are adding Clarkson to our list for a visit later in the year. My son needs to get his test scores up a bit though …ugh stressful
@rlc010203 Clarkson has moved to the top spot for my son. We know a lot of grads and current students, and they all love it. We’re heading up to Accepted Students Day in April for our second visit (first one was sophomore year). We’re awaiting word on a full tuition scholarship that he applied for, but they gave him great merit aid. Barring a disastrous visit, I think it’ll be where he ends up attending!
@taverngirl
That’s wonderful!! good luck 
Our close friends son graduated from there last year( business) he’s already working and was offered a fantastic job prior to graduation. Our youngest son’s preschool teacher’s son graduated from there last year as well and is working in Nanotech, also job offer before graduation.
The price tag seems a bit steep and we’re not sure how his test scores are going to shake out. He’s only taken the SAT 1x so far and will take the ACT this weekend for the first time. Strong GPA though, project lead the way engineering classes in high school have been fantastic, strong in math and physics and so it’s definitely going to be visited- I think will wait until fall for leaf peeping though 