In engineering I think size helps — recruiting, resources, number of electives, etc. So I would learn Virginia Tech or Maryland. My son did Virginia Tech engineering and had a good experience.

Definitely Virginia Tech or UMD.

2026 USNWR Top Undergrad Engineering Schools


#14 Virginia Tech
#21 Univ of MD
#42 Case Western

Anonymous wrote:
>>I would prefer my undergrad Pitt to CWRU. Regardless of ranking.<<

Case is more like Carnegie Mellon than Pitt.

All 3 schools have a large overlap in grad programs, undergraduate majors, etc.

I also preferred Pitt to Carnegie Mellon. I declined to apply to CMU back in parent times. I had the stats. My friends who went didn't enjoy it. I wouldn't choose differently if I could choose again.

Currently CMU is experiencing declining female enrollment. That's a bit shocking.

https://the-tartan.org/2025/10/06/cmu-undergraduate-womens-enrollment-declines-across-colleges/

>>I would prefer my undergrad Pitt to CWRU. Regardless of ranking.<<

Case is more like Carnegie Mellon than Pitt.

Terrific school. Winters are no joke though

There are other threads on here recent and old. I've contributed to some of them. My dad worked at CWRU for a while in the 90s. My grandfather and great-grandmother attended the two halves (grandpa at Case, his mother at Western Reserve in her day).

Go to regular Google and Google dcurbanmom and "Case Western" then do dcurbanmom and CWRU.

If your daughter wants a job in the DMV after graduation, the local schools may make that easier.

CWRU is a tad grindy. It is in an urban setting. It has some nice city amenities but is no DC (re: Metro from College Park).

I think it makes a lot of sense for pre-meds.

I would prefer my undergrad Pitt to CWRU. Regardless of ranking.

This is a decision best made by touring. The choices are pretty different from each other although all fine engineering programs. It's easy to get to Cleveland by car from DMV, though it's a long day's drive.

Merit? Amount?

Kid has a friend there who loves it and is getting great opportunities. Pre med tho not engineering so can’t speak to that. Why can’t you visit?

DD received a surprise admit on Friday for engineering. Only applied as she wanted a smaller school option and a friend from her high school attends. We don’t know a ton about the school and did not do a ton of research, as it was a decent reach. She has been weighing VT vs Maryland and is now not sure what to think. Not sure we will have to visit. Any thoughts on the engineering program and student quality of life. Obviously, very different from the two schools she has been considering.