Hello all, I’m considering transferring to a California school.
Rank these universities in terms of best and highest-ranked mechanical engineering programs?
-UC San Diego
-UC Davis
-UC Irvine
-CSU Long Beach
No significant differences in reputation or career opportunities between UCSD, UCD, or UCI (or UCSB or Cal Poly SLO for that matter). The differences in setting are more important (e.g. small-town feel of Davis vs. urban proximity of UCI or UCSD). Pick wherever you feel most comfortable.
CSULB a notch lower in terms of reputation.
If you want to transfer from out of state, note that:
(1) Transfer admissions at all of these schools are oriented primarily towards California community college grads. The transfer acceptance rates for out-of-staters will be significantly lower than the overall transfer acceptance rates.
(2) Out-of-staters are ineligible for financial aid at all of these schools. Expect to pay the full cost of the high out-of-state tuition rate.
If you are from another Western state, then you could qualify for the discounted WUE tuition rate at other California public universities. The WUE rate is 150% of the in-state rate.
The problem with WUE is that the most popular and selective public universities in California – including the ones on your list – are excluded from the WUE program. For example, the only participating UC is Merced.
All these schools are ABET accredited for ME so all will give you a great education. Apply to all, once accepted select the school that fits you best academically, financially and socially.