<p>I’m finishing up my undergrad and going into a PhD program the upcoming fall. I have offers from Agricultural and Resource Department at University of Maryland, College Park and Economics Dept at UC Santa Barbara. I have visited both and while I like the program at Maryland better in terms of how the program is structured and what is expected of me, I would much rather live in Santa Barbara. Santa Barbara also has provided a more attractive financial offer. Is there any clear advantage for going to one or the other in terms of student outcomes and quality of academics? How do they compare to one another in terms of prestige and value?</p>
<p>While I can’t say anything about Maryland’s program, I can say that UCSB has a fantastic program for resource economics. It’s highly regarded with excellent faculty. I think the big point to consider here, though, is the funding. Having done two masters and currently working on my PhD, I can say that funding should be a huge factor in considering which school to attend. Funding was actually the final, deciding factor for me in deciding which school to attend for my PhD. I was fully funded for one masters, half funded for my second masters, and am fully funded again for my PhD, and it makes all the difference - less debt, less stress, more certainty. Just something to think about.</p>