I’m not thinking that Maryland or Virginia are underrepresented. 
Maryland could be added to the list as a hail mary for a full Banneker Key scholarship, but I don’t think Virginia Tech has the potential to get down to $23k for an out-of-state student.
VT like UMD gives very little merit money.
Oops! I missed that OP wrote that. Thanks for pointing out.
Generally true but my D21 got merit money at Miami of Ohio such that all I am paying is room and board that is about 16k a year.
I believe your D got a pretty good deal at College of Charleston as well.
Coastal Carolina and ECU with merit might get him there as well.
So there are publics where with merit he could get to the 23K range.
My daughter got $3000 a year from UMD oos, $8000 from Pitt oos, graduated hs in 2021 (33 act, one B in HS).
Yes , the term “Masters Level Engineering Programs” is used sometimes to describe non-PhD level programs. Names a little misleading, those schools are all Undergrad Teaching Focused, not grad level research focused
I wouldn’t choose any of these for engineering. None are bad, but none are known as engineering powerhouses.
As for grads of certain schools making more or less money, salaries are really geographically based. You’ll get different opportunities at different schools, but once you’re in the field, your pay will be based on your level of work, and where you live. There are a lot of MIT engineers doing pedestrian things making the same pay as the person next to them who when to Podunk U. It’s not a knock on MIT, but the reality of the fact that the vast majority of engineering jobs aren’t cutting edge cool stuff.
Did you happen to take the PSAT? And if so, is your Selection Index likely to make National Merit Semifinalist in your home state? Because if you are NMSF it qualifies you for some full rides at schools that like to recruit National Merit students, making these schools guaranteed acceptance and financial safeties.
As I’ve posted before, a lot of structural engineers I know would hesitate to hire an MIT grad. They’d go with somebody from a flagship.
Let’s just make sure we say could get.
Because he, without question needs to apply to will get.
Could gets are good too - but they are not the risk free safety the student needs.
Harvard, Princeton, Columbia, and UPenn actually have pretty great engineering programs, but I’m not sure if theey’re worth the price
Don’t get me wrong. I didn’t say any of them were bad. I certainly wouldn’t say any of them are great. Compare the facilities and curriculum of them to Iowa State, Utah or Oregon State, a representative sample of strong state flagships not necessarily held in high esteem by the average CC poster, and their deficiencies become pretty apparent.
They are not worth the price if you want to be a traditional engineer. Most of the people studying engineering in those institutions will be on very different career paths than people studying engineering at state flagship universities.
Reminder the OP is looking for safeties so a debate on engineering at Ivies is not relevant. Thanks for your understanding.
So I’m a WV resident, so WVU would be our flagship. It’s not a bad school, but it doesn’t have all the amenities and resources that I want out of a school. Considering my connections to other students who have gotten “private full-rides” to that school, I will have a good chance at getting a full ride due to my cancer research, my successful startup, and extensive volunteer and mentoring experience with younger robotics students in my community.
I’m also not one to want to repeat high school again with the same kids. WVU culture in all aspects doesn’t compare to nearby colleges like OSU, VT, and UK. Considering their massive budget cuts and eliminating of 40 majors, I don’t see the school as a academically diverse school.
In the end, when you have a budget - that drives the decision - why I gave you Bama and MS State.
You want big football - so WVU is an option, whether you think is good or not.
I see Ohio kids can go to school in WV at an in state rate. I don’t see it reversed but you might look into it.
Marshall has these programs ABET - so that’s another outlet - so you’ll have outlets if all else fails.
The academic programs that received renewed accreditation through Sept. 30, 2028, include the:
· B.S. in Occupational Safety and Health
· B.S. in Electrical and Computer Engineering
· B.S. in Mechanical Engineering
· B.S. in Engineering
I’m guessing that it would help if y’all got my ECs, which might qualify me for more merit scholarships.
ISEF Internationals - 10 & 11th grade, I was ranked pretty low at internationals last year but at the state, regional, county, and school fair I got first for both years.
Cancer Research - It’s more genomics than anything. I’m currently working on publishing my findings alongside some more work that has been done alongside the professor I’m working with. This research was used during both years of the science fair, although they were separated exhibits and studies.
Start Up - Web Design contractor for local companies. I’d find restaurants and bars in high traffic areas with didn’t have a large internet presence, present my work and knowledge of web design and business needs, and get a contract to make a website that they collaborated on as well. I’ve learned a whole lot of tax law, marketing skills, communication skills, and I’ve made 25k in the past 3 years (only during summer in the midst of my research and volunteer work).
NHS - Over 240 hours working both independently and through group work, I’m the Junior president and our chapter was done work with the local food shelter, Ronald McDonald House, and the local animal shelter (with whom I volunteer for independently).
VEX Robotics - States 9th-11th Grade, State and Local Leadership for Elementary/Middle Schoolers, President 10th and 11th. I work alongside my former middle and elementary school and my goal is to grow each club to about 50 members each with enough funding to give these kids the right equipment and enough resources to compete with engineering magnet schools in and around the state. Raised somewhere around $4,750 for both schools to share.
NABT (biology club) - One of the first original members, VP Junior year, helped raise over $3,000 for the club and for the biology department to buy equipment. We typically work with the local community and other student organizations to create a “field day” where parents and students can come, learn, get food from local vendors, and enjoy the day whilst funding our student organizations.
Chem Olympiad - think like a normal science Olympiad. We won states both this year and last.
Academic Showdown - This is like a serious statewide event. My school has won every year, including the two years I’ve done it. The typical academic group competition, just on a grander scale.
Music - I’ve listed in OP
Beta Club - Just like NHS
Social Studies Fair - Honorable Mention Freshmen year, State Winner in my categories 10th and 11th. (It’s the largest academic event in the state, nearly triple the science fair which took me to internationals)
Studco - Treasurer all three years. Planned hoco and winfo, worked with local nonprofits but not to an extent that NHS and Beta Club did. Raised 15k.
FYI, I live in an affluent suburb, with affluent students and the best school in the state (bias). However, I’m not very affluent.
I think you’re missing the gist.
Most schools - based on merit alone - will not get you to $23K.
An $80K school is not getting to $23K - unless you hit the hail mary scholarships.
You are asking for a safety at $23K - and you need to find a 100% definite and affordable.
That’s WVU and Marshall in state. U of Alabama, UAH, Mississippi State for sure. Ole Miss and Florida State maybe. W Carolina for sure as full price is $20K. Southern Miss might be another.
You want a D1 football school and most of your list isn’t.
You can find hopeful schools - Ohio State, Miami, Iowa State and maybe more.
But you asked for a safety at $23K.
No matter what you write or describe is not going to give you an assured school at $23K - except the ones I mentioned and perhaps there might be others I’m missing - like a New Mexico.
If MIT fails and others come at $40 or $50K, you need a place to go.
That’s why Alabama is so popular, with 1500 kids from Illinois, 2K from the NJ/NY/CT area, and more than 1K from Texas and California.
They buy kids like you in.
In your case, you need a 100% definite - and they have auto merit - and that’s how I know they are…the schools listed.
FSU, you’d need the out of state tuition waiver. My guess is you’d get it but that’s not 100% assured, etc.