<p>Co-ops are really what makes Northeastern stand out, especially if you are in Engineering, business, or health sciences. If you have a free ride, you could actually graduate with no debt, because some co-ops pay well enough to cover your living expenses. Some business school students at the NU open house got consulting co-ops and were paid consultant wages. Boston is a great place to do sciences, with so many biotech and computer companies, plus all the other great universities in the area. UNC CH is also a great college, but I am not sure what sets them apart from other highly ranked colleges.</p>