<p>I’ve been accepted to UW and MSU with full funding. I’m not sure whether going to a lower-ranked school will hurt my job prospects. </p>
<p>Reasons to go to MSU: I have family there. I’ll be closer to home, and I think that will make me happier and will be more conducive to research. I have a good idea of who I want to work with. I know I will get a lot of attention there.</p>
<p>Reasons to go to Wisconsin: It’s ranked higher. Coursework will probably be more rigorous than MSU. More companies recruit there.</p>
<p>Would I be putting myself at a great disadvantage by choosing MSU? I don’t want to stay in academia. I know that industry cares more about who you do research with and what your research is about, but does where you go to school matter at all?</p>