CAV9966

S want to pursue a Civil Engineering degree. OOS student. Although accepted at Purdue and Penn State as well, he is more incline to a smaller catholic school (comes from a Jesuit HS). What most attracts him to both Marquette and Dayton is their co-op programs as well as being much smaller than state colleges. Marquette is a bit better ranked in Engineering but his counselor has spoken very positively about Dayton. Visited Marquette and loved it, will visit Dayton soon. Any thoughts....

rhumbob

S is in the same boat. Not civil engineering but accepted at both Marquette and dayton. Likey Poli Sci major (maybe business/marketing as well). Any discussion would be appreciated.

krism19

My son is also accepted at both, with just a little more scholarship $ from Dayton. Dayton is very close to us (we're in Cincinnati.) I think it's friendlier with more of a sense of community. But it is also definitely known as a party school. I felt Marquette seemed to have stronger academics. City wise - Milwaukee is more vibrant. It depends on your son.

Sparkles21

Dayton has a great engineering program and many companies prefer to take Dayton students on for co-ops and internships. Yes, there is the big party atmosphere. While the administration is trying to change that, any engineering major isn't really conducive to partying and never really has been. I will warn you, and any other prospective students reading this- first semester freshman year is the worst. That's when it seems like everyone is partying. It gets out of their systems either before or after the big wave of tests- the smart ones will realize they need to do work, and the others, well... they might not make it to second semester. UD absolutely has a work hard, play hard attitude, and some people really can't handle it. It's a great school for academics but I think that aspect is completely overshadowed by the partying (which, in my opinion, is blown out of proportion). I don't mean to scare you, but it's the truth. A degree in science or engineering from UD has a lot of power to get you places, but you have to work very hard to get there.

RamRay

Both good schools, both good programs. I would have to say on a national scale, Marquette a stronger name, but in Ohio, Dayton better known. If you go by ranking, USN&WR ranks both as National Research Universities: Marquette 82nd, Dayton 101st. It will boil down to 2 things:
1-Which will offer the most $
2-Which feels the best fit

Can't go wrong with either!

missy4537

My daughter visited Boeing as a high school student and mentioned that her brother was an engineering major at Dayton. The Boeing tour guide said UD grads were amongst their favorites and he asked for my son's contact information (and he emailed my son about a Co-Op). All of my son's friends received many job offers...one of the Chem E grads was starting at $90K. UD students love their years at the school with a level of passion that I have not seen anywhere else. Marquette is also a popular option in my Midwestern town, but I have not heard the same level of excitement when they talk about their alma mater. UD has a unique combination of fun and great academics - if the students are motivated and take advantage of the many rigorous programs that are available.