Engineering - Umich (OOS) - Uva (InState)

[Anonymous]

DS got in Umich (OOS), and UVA (Instate). He is set on engineering and leaning towards Aero/Mechanical but may switch to CS. I am sure many parents in this forum may have gone through this set of choice. Umich is definitely much better in engineering than UVA. My question is - Is it worth paying OOS for Michigan undergrad engineering degree? How and what did you decide?

Vtech waitlisted so not an option at this point.

[Anonymous]

I am an engineer, I interview young engineering grads, and I wouldn't have known U Mich is any better than UVA unless you told me.
Just know that more local companies recruit on campus, so if his ultimate goal is back in Virginia then UVA may be the better choice.

[Anonymous]

Just on tuition alone, you should do UVA, but UMich engineering and CS are terrific.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am an engineer, I interview young engineering grads, and I wouldn't have known U Mich is any better than UVA unless you told me.
Just know that more local companies recruit on campus, so if his ultimate goal is back in Virginia then UVA may be the better choice.

Really? I find that surprising. Where did you go to engineering school?

OP, I think they are both good choices.

UVA is a solid option. Definitely some pros: save on tuition, stay in the DC area, and maybe a better fit if your DC doesn't want to do hardcore engineering (prefers mgmt or consulting)

Ann Arbor is great - it's a plus to get out of the state and spread some wings. Engineering/CS is very strong. Better recruiting for actual engineering jobs. If he's a legit hands-on engineer/STEM type I'd lean towards Michigan.

But, ultimately, his future success depends in his own effort/abilities and not this choice so I wouldn't sweat it too much. Which way is he leaning? I'd have him come up with the decision criteria and decide himself. At this point, he should be more than capable of doing that.

[Anonymous]

If money is no object, then UM OOS is the better option over UVA for engineering.

If money is an issue, then UVA is the better choice.

However, the best option would be to be (extremely) patient and wait to get off the waitlist at VT.

[Anonymous]

Re UVA - for what it's worth, my DC started in engineering at UVA and after a year of math/calculus/computer programing and other courses, decided to switch majors due to the other courses. Just something to consider if you think your child might not be 100% dedicated to the intro subjects of engineering taught at most schools. If so, then UVA due to cost.

[Anonymous]

There are some options where the salary differentials may make the OOS or private option the better choice. Carnegie Mellon for CS over anything in state in Virginia might be an example. You can probably find some information about Michigan and UVA engineering outcomes online. Michigan is more highly regarded, as you note, but actual outcomes may not be that different.

[Anonymous]

I went to Michigan for engineering. It was a great experience both in the engineering school and the community in general. But I have to be practical. Unless money is no object, I'd do UVA and put the savings towards a great grad school.

[Anonymous]

Give the $ difference to your son and ask him whether he would rather give it to Umich or save it for himself.

Umich has a better engineering school (graduate programs). But for CS I think Umich is relatively weak compared to its engineering programs. Big 4 - CMU, MIT, Stanford and UCB - will give you some name recognition and more opportunities. UIUC, Cornell, and GA Tech are also very strong. Outside of those, I am not sure the school names matter that much for CS.

[Anonymous]

UVA is not known for it's engineering school

[Anonymous]

UVa has an engineering school?

[Anonymous]

I went to Va Tech Engineering. If money is not a problem I'd pick Michigan over UVA. UVA is a great education, but there are Engineering undergraduate experiences that it doesn't have/do (like a co-op program, which I found to be an extremely valuable experience, and Michigan has more money in their program so they have a bigger selection of engineering project/competition teams). UVA is a wonderful education, and if your son is after a smaller program or school (or that would just be a better fit for him) then UVA would be the better choice. If Va Tech was appealing atmosphere wise (college town, big student body) then you want Michigan (my husband went to Michigan, not for engineering, but I've spent a lot of time in Ann Arbor fwiw and it feels very much like Blacksburg to me. My brother went to UVA for CS, and I've spent a fair amount of time in Charlottesville too).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There are some options where the salary differentials may make the OOS or private option the better choice. Carnegie Mellon for CS over anything in state in Virginia might be an example. You can probably find some information about Michigan and UVA engineering outcomes online. Michigan is more highly regarded, as you note, but actual outcomes may not be that different.

OP. Salary information is available on the college websites. If you don't have this info. Avg salary for 2019 CS grads - $99,248 and $92,698 for UMich and UVA. The Median salary is only $2K apart ($101K and $99K). You may want to look into where most of the kids end up for work.. DC area vs. other areas you want to target such as SV or Seattle (Michigan is likely a better bet).

The good thing at both these schools is that you can do CS from either the Engineering or the Arts & Science schools should DC lose interest in Engineering but want to stay with CS and both are all-around great schools with multiple strong departments vs some schools with highly ranked CS programs that are not that strong outside of CS/Engineering (e.g. UIUC, U Washington). However, starting salaries are a bit lower for Arts/Sciences CS kids.

Also consider the weather and driving distance.

FYI.. We are in the same boat and trying to figure this out as well. Just sharing our thought process. Good Luck!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I went to Va Tech Engineering. If money is not a problem I'd pick Michigan over UVA. UVA is a great education, but there are Engineering undergraduate experiences that it doesn't have/do (like a co-op program, which I found to be an extremely valuable experience, and Michigan has more money in their program so they have a bigger selection of engineering project/competition teams). UVA is a wonderful education, and if your son is after a smaller program or school (or that would just be a better fit for him) then UVA would be the better choice. If Va Tech was appealing atmosphere wise (college town, big student body) then you want Michigan (my husband went to Michigan, not for engineering, but I've spent a lot of time in Ann Arbor fwiw and it feels very much like Blacksburg to me. My brother went to UVA for CS, and I've spent a fair amount of time in Charlottesville too).

Of course you would. No Hokie is going to recommend that anybody choose UVA. Next.

[Anonymous]

May I also ask - UVA (OOS) or UMD (OOS), for engineering?