RIT less expensive receiving 13k
Lafayette smaller (perceived) more prestigious harder to get into?
4yr vs5yr with co ops
Small with research vs large with graduates
What do you want to know?
If the financial part is possible for both schools, consider this: If ChemE didn’t work out for you for some reason, what else might you like to major in? Does Lafayette offer those majors? Does RIT?
Trying to get ideas if difference in $$ is worth going to smaller school closer to home or take the $$ bigger school further. RIT 6 hrs away Lafayette 1.5 hrs away. bigger tech school vs small LAC… Is one program so much better than the other? Or does it come down to which has better feel? What if $$ not on the table?
The schools are very different. I’m not sure the prestige matters, or is that significant, since co-op will provide work experience and job contacts. I agree with @Marian - how sure is the student about ChemE? What are the other opportunities if not ChemE. Any preference in feel and distance? They each have advantages, they key is determining which one is right for a specific student.