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Both Columbia Engineering and Cornell Engineering are excellent academically, and both offer many opportunities, but are focused in on different aspects. Cornell's engineering school is, well, focused on engineering, and most of its students can and do pursue careers in engineering.
By contrast, Columbia's engineering school is more focused on professional development, entrepeneurialship, and finance. I would liken Columbia's Engineering school to MIT in terms of what graduates do. Both schools contain very smart students who enjoy engineering, but are also smart enough to realize that if they become an engineer after graduation, they won't be paid what they're worth. Therefore, students from both schools often pursue careers in finance/math modeling to get paid what they're worth.
If you're "noble," or just know you wouldn't enjoy a non-engineering career in finance or a similar field, then by all means you should go to Cornell. I think most people here recognize that Cornell has a more rigorous program in engineering, and will leave you better prepared for an engineering job.
What it boils down to is this: If you want to be an engineer for life, go to Cornell. If you know that you're interested in engineering, but really are thinking about pursuing another career for people with analytical mindsets, go to Columbia. The non-academic components(location, campus life, etc.) also play a role, in addition to academics, which should be weighted in your decision.
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