Auburn [~$48K] vs Tulane [~30K] vs Mississippi State [~26K]

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My student is going for a B. Arch 5 year degree, out of state. Auburn requires 11 semesters instead of 10 (extra cost). Mississippi State requires honors classes with the scholarship, only concern there is use of potential studio time to do “extra” non-architectural class work. Tulane’s cost will rise pretty significantly in 4th year, probably $30K more for final two years (each). These costs already take into account scholarships given at all three. Housing is ready at all three for first year, applied EA at all.

All are far from home, 12-15 hour drive or flight needed. Student wants warm weather, greek life, lots of green space on campus, diversity and some sports to attend.

MS St.: lack of flights from local tiny airport a surprising deterrent, need to hire car service to get to bigger airports several hours away. Concerned about what there is to do off campus as town seemed very, very small. Honors housing (newer dorms, good room size) and pre-registration are perks. Fully admitted to arch program (about 50 kids a year). Great admitted day for major, well run, super informative and positive experience. Student could see going there except for the possibility of limited social life if not accepted into smaller greek system. Accepts all the AP credits. Kid will not have a car, might be a problem at this school.

Auburn: had much more lively student activity surrounding campus during visit. The honors housing is very, very nice. Also accepts all the AP credits. Another great admitted day, kid 100% fell in love with this school. Parents are very concerned about costs for 5 consecutive semesters with no break for student to work a summer job, school says no offer-matching or merit appeal (already have highest out of state scholarship). They only offer pre-arch status to 180 freshmen, you then compete for one of the 90 seats for sophomore year during a summer bonus semester. This is a risk we don’t love for the high price. High chance to join greek life, it’s a robust program here. There are shuttles available to go to Atlanta (major airport/flight availability a plus given distance to get home). Walkable downtown with many restaurants, stores and student apartments fit my student’s idea of what college should feel like.

Tulane: love the campus, not invited for honors program, dorm gets assigned randomly. Price made this off the table without major merit not initially offered. This month, new money appeared and more than doubled the original scholarship offer but it doesn’t last all 5 years. Uber to airport very easy, school is in the city, tons to do. Big party atmosphere but expect rigorous education given their higher typical-student SAT scores. Greek system seems smaller, might be harder to join. Fully admitted to arch program. Accepts about 1/2 of kid’s APs (all 4/5 scores but some topics not accepted; for example, no world history or human geography credit). Both April admitted days after receiving the extra money did not work with family prior commitments but student loved the visit with lengthy and informative presentation by the major during visit over a year ago

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We think all three programs are strong. Is there a better alumni network to help with job placement at one school over another? We don’t know. MS wins on cost. Auburn wins on fabulous dorms. Tulane definitely wins on exciting location, it’s also the only school of the three to also offer master’s program in chosen field, meaning possible chance to see more advanced work or participate in it. Smart, motivated student is very sure this is the right career path.

There is some worry about crime at Tulane and MS. Also concern about Palestine vs Israel support clashes that happened at Tulane, is that still an issue?

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Auburn !!!

I know dozens of Auburn grads-they all love the school & their experience there.

Lots of kids from the Atlanta area.

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Thanks, @Publisher. You were very helpful with my oldest’s final decision, too. Please tell me more about how the Auburn job network has worked out for the AU grads! I think my student is hoping to remain in the warm climate to work post graduation, meaning any network I have far away may be of limited future help.

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A few things - the GTR airport has both AA and Delta - and is less than 30 minutes (15 miles). It’s not big but it’s much closer to air travel than Auburn - where you could do Montgomery but more likely Atlanta, which is 90 minutes. It has several flight a day so they lack but have enough. May be costly. If they caught a ride with a friend to Jackson or Birmingham, both have Southwest. It’s not much farther than Auburn to Atlanta although transport is likely easier that way. But GTR should suffice.

I’ve heard great things about all three, especially Ms State. It’s like Disneyworld, the way you drive in on that entry road.

I’ll ask this question about Greek life. Is it compatible with an architecture major ? I just remember those students pulling crazy amounts of all - nighters.

Something to think about. But I do think while Greek life can encompass any major, there are certain majors where there’s a larger preponderance than other tougher majors that will have a lesser participation rate.

Here’s a short and old but relevant thread.

In the end, the student needs to determine how important being an architect is versus maybe finding another major. If I’m reading right, MSU is 100%, Auburn is not direct and 50/50 (90 of 180). Can’t tell aboot Tulane but I wouldn’t worry aboot Greek life given its year after year one of the top party schools - and I’ve been told by a few, that doesn’t have to be you but it definitely is true - the heavy parting and drugs.

If he truly wants to be an architect, I’d go with MSU. Life is long. You want college to be fun but I don’t think architecture is the major for that anyway.

Good luck

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For the MSU admitted day, we were able to fly out of GTR, but we had a choice of only two times. We couldn’t fly in there the day before, we had to pick another airport & then drive down. Maybe it was just the timing that weekend, but that stuck with us. We didn’t expect to need as much travel time as it required, with a connection and a layover, etc. If timing is flexible, yes, the campus bus to GTR is great! But if it’s not, as in our Friday flight in, it could be difficult for a kid not old enough to rent a car. Shuttle service did not appear available from the larger airports. It’s only a concern a few times a year, but it’s part of the decision package.

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To me, what is the biggest consideration?

If he wants to be an architect - which gives him that best chance?

One gives it. One may provide it. The analogy is the kid who wants to study business but chooses a non direct admit over the direct. One assures your major. One is a lot of hard work and worry and stress.

I would put less focus on travel - which you can manage with advanced planning - and social life, especially Greek life, which could derail him academically given the major. I’ve read anywhere between 40-80% of architecture majors drop out, which is beyond engineering.

What is the ultimate goal ? The best odds of obtaining it should be the ultimate focus, in my opinion of course.

If it’s Architecture as the ultimate goal, without really understanding Tulane, I’d pick MSU.

If it’s wilder fun and Greek life as the priority, and if I drop architecture, I’ll be ok - then one of the other two.

MSU is the STEM-Y and quieter of this range of SEC schools. Still loud but not as loud as the others, including Auburn.

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Thank you, this is helpful. I think we’re leaning to Tulane, with the automatic acceptance like MSU but the extended master’s program there as an option. Architecture is non-negotiable. Greek life would be the thing to drop if push came to shove. Kid is very social, but highly focused on this career goal.

We were able to speak to some greek system members while at Auburn & MSU and it’s definitely a time management concern. That said, this kid has had a seriously obnoxious schedule outside of school, so I think it could work. That part is up to them.

I was hoping for more feedback on job placement and crime concerns, in case you have any intel, though. Thank you again!

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I cannot offer any information regarding architecture. The students with whom I am familiar attended Cornell University for architecture or obtained employment after earning a master’s degree in architecture from Yale.

The weeding out process at Auburn may be a blessing in disguise for both those who continue in the program and for those who were not deemed good enough to move forward.

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Crime - you can look up. If he’s social and going into downtown New Orleans and the French Quarter - the city is - not nice - so you don’t even need to look that up - it’s a crime ridden city. But while Tulane is in the city limits, it’s not in the city - but easy to get to. If your son can get distracted, that’s anoth concern.

For career outcomes, you should reach out to each school but here’s what I found on line.

24-25-CAAD-Annual-Report.pdf

Career Outcome Data | Academic Insight

Graduating Student Survey Outcomes Data – Tulane University | Career Services

Starkville Crime Rates and Statistics - NeighborhoodScout

Auburn, AL Crime Rates and Statistics - NeighborhoodScout

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Both Auburn are highly respected programs. I’m not familiar with Mississippi State so can’t make a comparison.

Auburn’s 2nd admission hurdle is worrisome but unless I’m missing something the bar seems to be set quite low:

“Admission to the Second Year Studio sequence is predicated on the receipt of a grade of C or better in both ARCH 1020 and ARCH 1420.”

Tulane has a lot to commend itself, but funding for only three years out of five could be a stress point depending on your family’s needs. If you haven’t already, you might want to pursue further with Tulane: What’s the possibility of securing additional aid, either now or later.

Same for employment opportunities. I would suggest your son ask all three where recent students have interned, as summer internships can be stepping stones to employment after graduation.

I would also compare study abroad opportunities (and costs), thesis requirements and the resumes of faculty and critics.

@Mashinations might provide more insight on Tulane.

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This was the concern about Auburn - that came from the OP. I assume it to be true.

I put all the links to the career outcomes so they can see placement, including internships - and some more info.

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Seems like the significantly higher cost that is a concern to parents with the competitive secondary admission to the BArch program are significant negatives here, compared to the less expensive options where the student is fully admitted to the BArch program.

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Auburn’s website states that admission to the professional BArch is predicated on getting at least a C in two foundational courses. That doesn’t sound particularly daunting. The summer design studio seems to be another shot if you didn’t make it in the first round.

But perhaps I’m missing something. . .

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Looks like the C in ARCH 1020 and 1420 is needed to continue into the second year of pre-architecture. There does not seem to be any clear information on whether there is another admission gate to continue to the third year (professional program). Best to ask the architecture department directly on this.

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I don’t read it that way: It seems to me that the second year IS the start of the professional (BAarch) track.

On the website under “Curriculum Model PDFs/Architecture Foundation Unit”
the heading reads
“Professional Program Begins — Second Year”

The “weed out” figures that the OP was given, i.e. that only 90 out of 180 make the cut, means that half the 1st year class gets a C- or worse in the foundational courses. Seems a bit harsh, but possible I guess.

I agree that this needs to be clarified if Auburn is still a contender.

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Certainly there are nuances to many merit awards but curious by the statement that you were awarded something but it doesn’t last all 5 years? Typically for a B.Arch (or any other program that is specifically 5 years) merit awards extend all 5 years.

As you note, Tulane is in a city (and a popular tourist destination). I see very little in the parents FB thread related to crime that wasn’t at least semi-avoidable if people are aware of their surroundings (phones stolen at Mardi Gras seems to be the most common complaint). The school is in a good part of the city with the French Quarter about 4 miles away. Palestine v Israel is not still a thing on campus. That was an incident last year driven by, at least mostly, people outside the campus. IMO the administration handled it well. Is that to say it won’t happen again? No idea.

As some others have suggested - if your student is looking for B.Arch, a lot of extracurricular stuff is likely not in cards. They’ll have the opportunities to party and enjoy college life but not nearly as much as many of the students around them in other programs. The better path may be for the BA in Arch and then tag on the Masters program. It’s more years of school (and cost!) but the BA will allow for a more “normal” college experience.

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Based on what you said, Tulane is the only one that seems to fit what he wants : he’s not admitted to the major at Auburn (high price for 50% odds of getting the major he must have bc it’s not like there are substitutes AND even if admitted calendar is an issue) and Mississippi State doesn’t sound like a good social fit (I agree not having a car and coming from far away may be an issue, as it’s culturally very Deep South AND isolated, and it sounds you’re not from the region).

See if there are major-related scholarships for upper class students - those typically unlock once the students have taken key classes and done well in their major, it might help at Tulane. I doubt students on scholarship are left out to dry for their 5th year there since it’d decapitate their professional/progress stats (at many colleges, either 5-year programs are an exception to the 8 semester scholarship rule, or they have selective further funding opportunities for that 5th year.)

The issue with Greek life is that it’s not like a HS club that you join and do things with whenever you want. Your first year, your time belongs to your “brothers” and that’s very difficult to handle even with regular majors (a case study found that during rush and pledging student grades drop significantly.) After the first year the time commitment decreases or is easier to adapt to what you can do but can still be relatively significant compared to a club.
There will be living learning communities and professional clubs where hanging out is a choice but fraternities do require a time commitment that an Architecture major may not have.
All 3 have plenty of Greek life so if I were him I would check whether Fraternity parties are open or closed, ie., if non Greek students can attend, especially non Greek men (since women are usually welcome at parties regardless of Greek/non Greek affiliation), what professional fraternities are on offer, and whether there are (non Greek) parties organized by the Arch. Major Contingent. He should reach out to students ASAP.

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Tulane does Spring Rush - which might help alleviate some amount of that and they have a fraternity (Alpha Rho Chi) which is co-ed and relates to the architecture program… but it’s a professional org and may not be exactly what OP’s son is thinking of related to “greek life”.

S23 is at Tulane for Architecture now and he participates in Marching Band - which includes Mardi Gras parades in the Spring. Between Arch and Band he has little time for anything else and even then struggles with the workload at times.

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If it comes down to MS State vs. Tulane, those will be two very very very different experiences as others have already stated. I have a current senior at Tulane and toured MS State last year with my younger child.

Tulane, although located in the South, to me (living in the South but not from here) does not feel like a Southern school culturally. Lots of wealthy East Coast, CA and TX kids. New Orleans location makes it unique. Crime is an issue in NO, but the campus has always felt safe to me and you have to use big city common sense when venturing off campus. Greek life is present but not at a SEC kind of level!! Football games are well attended now that they have had recent success. It is far from an SEC game day atmosphere though. Diversity is not Tulane’s strength but they’ve been trying to improve. Mostly liberal student body.

MS State, gorgeous campus in the middle of nowhere, VERY Southern in culture. Big school spirit, SEC game day atmosphere. SEC type Greek life. Also not very diverse. We had wonderful faculty interactions when we were on campus (not in Arch though). Much more conservative student body.

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