<p>I think you are making some assumptions about the difficulty of classes at IU or any state school. You have not attended a state school, so how do you know this to be a fact? If IU was so easy and just gave out A’s, and only required some time and effort, there would be many more graduates with GPA’s above 3.7. </p>
<p>Generally when students are taking courses for 4 credits, they take fewer classes per semester. For example, if you took 12 credits at the LAC that would be 3 courses. 12 credits at IU might be 4 courses. That is an extra course full of exams and studying. 12 credit hours are 12 credit hours.</p>
<p>While some Kelley wannabes may end up in economics, that’s not always the case. Many students choose econ from the start. FYI-Because my D recently graduated, I am aware of many very smart, Hutton Honors College/National Merit/Top of their Class type students. Courses like Organic Chem at IU are just as difficult as any LAC. </p>
<p>You’re making lots of erroneous assumptions. Smaller does not necessarily mean better. An extra credit hour does not mean harder. IU profs don’t just hand out “A’s.” A website that doesn’t answer all of your questions does not mean a program is watered down. Assumptions don’t work in Computer Science and neither does an attitude full of rationalizations. Education is what you make it. One can get a great education anywhere with effort.</p>