ranking undergraduate engineering schools

evoke1080
Thu, 05 Apr 2007 17:42:34 +0000

hiker -

I haven’t looked at the undergrad rankings in 5 years but a large part of USNWR ranking is a subjective factor. This is really the only part that matters in terms of academics (yes, quality of life and other non-academic factors play a big role but those are completely personal. What one person finds to be a good study environment can be hell to another).

In terms of profs, grants, and lab equipment, you’ll find the same stuff anywhere you go. There are slight differences between schools in terms of focus but these are again PERSONAL and are not part of the rankings. For example if you were really interested in autonomous helicopters Georgia Tech is the place to be. But all schools will have something that is top of the pack. For most undergrad lab classes you’ll use the same machinery anywhere you go. The really specialized equipment that only a few schools own you probably won’t have access to as an undergrad.