Help me decide!
University of Pennsylvania (EE Master’s， Estimated total cost $130k) vs Ohio State University (ECE Master’s， Estimated total cost $102k) vs UC Davis (ECE Master’s ,Estimated total cost $98k) vs Northeastern University - Boston (ECE Master’s,Estimated total cost $110k).
None of the four offers include scholarships, and I’m an international student hoping to stay in the U.S. for work after graduation. Among these four schools, which one has the best job prospects?
If considering cost-effectiveness, which school is the most suitable choice?
Of these, UPenn is considered the most elite. Can you afford it?
After an initial period of work authorization, you will need an employer to sponsor you for a work visa and a green card. Your ability to find such an employer will depend on a) how strong or weak the economy is b) how many equally qualified US citizen/permanent resident engineering graduates are available that year and c) immigration laws and regulations in effect at that time. All these factors are unpredictable so you should be prepared to return to your home country if you’re unable to find a sponsor.
ECE is not a prestige sensitive field, so all these schools should be able to provide you opportunities, in my opinion.
There is no guarantee that you will be able to remain in the US, especially right now. I would focus on which school has the most name recognition in your home country. In the US, that would be U Penn (assuming you are talking about the Ivy League school in Philly and not getting confused with the Penn State U).
These are all great choices. However, I have to say that you must come to the US prepared to return home after graduation as that is the most likely outcome for you. Given that, I’d go with the school that is most well known in your home country. That is likely to be UPenn.
UPenn would be the most prestigious but , as noted above, there is no guarantee you will be able to stay in the US after graduation. I also imagine UPenn will be well respected in your home country in the event you do return there.
These are all well-regarded schools and you say that cost is not an issue for you. You will have to do some research about the each EE graduate school and its connection to the related industries in that region. Search LinkedIn for people with EE Masters from a particular school and see where they ended up. Are any of these Masters programs “feeders” for local industries? Do these industries employ international people? This will matter more than the general prestige of the school for your particular situation. Don’t just assume that you will get a job easily because you have a Masters from Penn.
As everyone here has indicated, there’s no guarantee as to job prospects or opportunities. I know a couple people who have their masters and PhD in engineering and math who are unemployed. You never know. Especially since we do not know what the situation is in your home country. However, if I had to choose, I’d probably choose the most reputable schools to attend. I’d probably choose the order you asked the question. I’d consider UPenn first, then Ohio State, UCD, and finally NEU. If you can afford the costs.
Since the cost is more or less the same, NEU as co-ops might help with job prospects and maybe recoup some of the costs.
Do check with current NEU students before deciding.
Agree that you cannot rely on staying in the US especially as a person who is looking for a sponsor. A number of employers require security clearances which means that you would have to be a US citizen or permanent resident to qualify.
A number of employers, are not sponsoring non-US citizens because they don’t want to deal with the “paperwork“, time, and hassle of sponsorship.
Additionally, there are US citizens, with BS degrees who don’t need sponsorship, and who also may not need a masters degree to become employed.
Immigration rules indicate that US employers must attempt to employ US citizens first and foremost, before they even attempt to sponsor a non-resident. I am emphasizing this information because you don’t seem to be affected by this information, as noted by your persistence in asking about work. You cannot assume that you will become employed in the US because the current trend is not encouraging.
Whichever school you go to, and want to spend crazy money on, would be beneficial in your home country. Here’s another point, if you can’t get a job sponsorship now, with the current BSEE, that’s a trend of things to come.
Please understand…finding a job for after graduation will be on YOU…not the name of your college. You have the potential to find a job from any of these colleges.
What you need to ask yourself…which one will position you for a job in your home country…because after your couple of years of approved work here, it’s highly likely you will be expected to return to your home country.
Is 130k per year or total cost for 4 years, if it is for 4 years , UPENN is great choice, and if you have money then also UPENN is a great choice if you have to pay 130k for each year.
If you are from out of country and needs visa, except UPENN other colleges may not worth the money
I know that in my husband’s engineering firm, and in my elder daughter’s engineering firm, neither firm will consider employing masters degree candidates who are not citizens.
(Both my husband and my daughter interview prospective candidates. If anything, recently, my daughter’s firm had to layoff engineers.)
There is speculation that they will do away with OPT*, so you may not be able to stay and work. With that in mind, are any of these still worth it to you vs a cheaper degree elsewhere?
*actually a bill has already been introduced about this. No idea how likely to pass