Hello, I am very fortunate to be choosing between Northeastern and UW Madison for college (both Mechanical Engineering) and I am conflicted between the two. Please give any advice you would have! After aid, the two cost around the same so price isn’t an issue here. But I am troubled by which school to choose.
Do you want Boston and urban or large school flagship, on a lake?
Do you want to be in the co op scene vs. getting internships (although you can do co ops at Wisconsin) but co ops are part of the ethos at Northeastern.
Wisconsin is bigger, will have a different greek scene and big time sports - does any of this matter?
Both will be fine.
Good luck.
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Both great schools, congratulations! 
They do differ in “vibe” - where can you more easily picture yourself?
Have you compared engineering-specific student organizations that you’d like to be involved in, on the two campuses? There are a lot of very cool competition teams, service clubs, etc. at both schools, but maybe something will make one or the other stand out for you.
Are they equally affordable? Are both programs ABET accredited? If so go with YOUR preference. What do YOU want in a college experience? There are enough differences between the two schools. As some examples:
– Do you like the co-ops at Northeastern?
– Urban v college town?
– Midwest v Northeast?
–Any interest in Big 10 sports or Greek Life?
–Size of schools is different.
Note the college GPA progression requirements at Wisconsin.
I am not sure if this is the wrong mindset, but I am just concerned where I can earn more money in the future lol… not sure why I think like this
In this case, I would take any starting salary levels with a grain of salt. Northeastern probably places more students in HCOL east coast metros and probably works harder to get follow up data. Madison probably places more students into the midwest and is possibly more lax with collecting this kind of data than a private school would be.
My kid graduated in CS from UW recently, landed a competitive 6 figure+ job, and has friends/acquaintences that have been placed all over. I think either will do great with placement if you are taking advantages of opportunities on campus, making connections, etc . UW Madison students do get placed into internships both in the midwest and on coasts.
This is a win-win choice for you, choose where would you rather spend the next 4 years and go with that.
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That is really comforting to hear. Thank you so much!
It’s MechE - the where you go is not going to matter.
People from Western Michigan often will have the same jobs and work with the kids from Michigan.
Pick where you want to be.
Assuming both are ABET accredited, your future opportunities will be much more a function of your accomplishments in college rather than which one of these fine schools you choose to attend.
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How Northeastern University Gamed the College Rankings (bostonmagazine.com)
Sorry, my brain is stuck on imagery of NE from my first visit in 1994. I saw the crumbling blacktop and tiny buildings as well as the check a box here and you’re in admission process. Whereas UW Madison has been the flagship school that it is for many many decades.
I would go for Madison. But it is me. I think for Engineering big public are always = more opportunities, more classes, better network.
For everything but Engineering, I prefer LACs.
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Can we stop dragging out that article from 10 years ago? The NU campus has come a long way from how it looked 20 years ago. Let’s live in the present.
This is a pic of Liam Neeson filming a movie in NU’s ISEC building.
To the OP: Two good choices and you said a similar cost. Pick the one you like best.
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I get you can be a cheerleader for a school.
OP asked for input. How a school get to where it is at can sometimes be enlightening. Unless history bothers you.
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I prefer to live in the present but to each their own. As I said to the OP, two good choices. And for anyone that hasn’t seen the NU campus in 20 years, I recommend visiting it.
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You just assumed I haven’t been there since 1994?
I just have a great long term memory that my impression from being there 1994-1998, 2004, 2009, and 2017 and following the rise of NE made it an interesting conversational topic between family and friends who went to school in the area.
I was going by the words you posted “Sorry my brain is stuck on imagery of NE from my first visit in 1994.” Excuse me for going by your own words.
I don’t think your heckling is helpful. Good luck to the OP.
You are right. I did say “first visit.”
This is not helpful to OP.
Same COA, both are solid choices. Really need to decide on “fit.”
I’ll assume both posters above will move on, since this back and forth, aside from violating ToS, isn’t at all helpful to the OP.
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Agreed