Define rating- if you’re talking about US News and overall - there is no discernible difference between these four schools and even lower ranked flagships whether it’d be WVU or Alabama or wherever. That’s for magazines. Example - not pertinent to here - but who has the most national merit scholars int he country. Alabama - and they’re ranked far lower than these schools and yet the smartest are flocking there.
Or are you talking about a rating in the major? I can’t find any of these schools in a ranking but I’d think Pittsburgh is in a city…UD is closer to a coast…I dont’ know if anything is there.
Can you afford the $7-10K?
All have risks. Is Honors at UD tied to the scholarship? Are you sure? But yes, most schools have a GPA tied to scholarship but you want to look at the conditions if you don’t make it. Some schools take it away, others have a long probation time.
Only you all can decide - but if you believe in your kid, bet on your kid.
What are the career outcomes for each? And what types of earnings do kids in this major get?
And if he doesn’t get the auto transfer at UMD, what do the last three years look like? On campus? What major?
What are his stats - GPA and ACT/SAT? Is he open to others that might be cheaper or only in that immediate geographic area?
I only hear great things about UD.