I am an international applicant.I am not able to distinguish between the following universities.Could you please arrange these universities in order of their academic excellence for undergraduate programme in astrophysics/physics.
Purdue University
Pennsylvania State University
Drexel University
University of California(Santa Cruz)
University of Minnesota
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey- Camden
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey-New Brunswick
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey-Newark
Cross out Drexel, Rutgers Camden and Rutgers New Jersey - not at all on a same level as the others.
The best academically overall are Penn State, UCSC, UMinnesota Twin Cities (check that it’s Twin Cities?), Uisconsin Madison. Purdue next.
In terms of weather, UCSC wins.
UWisconsin has the best college town, followed by Penn State. UMN has the Cities. UCSC has Santa Cruz and the beach.
What are costs like?
Don’t rule out Rutgers New Brunswick. It is higher academically. It’s science program across the board is superior.
Costs are about $40000-$45000 except UCSC and Drexel.
What are placements like?
So your real choices are Penn State, U Wisconsin Madison, and UMN.
Placements will depend on your grades and what you do in college. None of these three will “prevent” placement.
purdue doesn’t have good career options?
Sure, but the location and campus aren’t as good as the other 3.
Considering all factors(Costs,placements and career options,academics, location, setting, atmosphere etc.) which would be the right fit?