OOS for both schools; cost and weather are not driving factors. Interested in the pros and cons of the Engineering Programs. Michigan’s engineering is twice the size of UCLAs. Is bigger better resourced or more competitive? Are they collaborative? competitive? Theoretical vs hands on? Ease of getting on project teams, in research labs, and Internships? Ease of getting advising? other??
It’s a tough decision so any feedback will be much appreciated!!
Does cost differ or matter?
UCLA admits directly to engineering majors, but changing major may be difficult (depending on if the new major is full).
Michigan admits to undeclared engineering, but (unlike some other schools), declaring an engineering major after completing the prerequisites is non competitive.
The OP wrote this, @ucbalumnus
Two great options! Congrats
I recently ran across this metapost which collected a lot of relevant responses about UCLA
I don’t put too much stock in rankings -especially when both schools rank very well- but you’ve probably seen that UMich typically ranks higher than UCLA for engineering.
Beyond the elements you mentioned, has the student visited both campuses? I remember touring UMich and discovering that Engineering was mainly on North campus which is different vibe than Central (that could be a pro or a con). At UCLA, it is all more integrated physically.
And looking at the courses at each school might also help understand if hands-on design projects are more common at one vs the other (vs more theoretical)
UCLA doesn’t seem to offer career outcomes - so you might reach out and inquire if of interest.
As for your other questions (about competitive vs. collaborative), why not reach out to the department to get connected with a student or students in the program. They can answer your questions.
Best of luck.
I wouldn’t put any stock in rankings - if you’re using US News. It’s a popularity contest amongst academics. There’s zero data - whether selectivity or career, etc. and believe it or not, some lesser ranked schools have better published career outcomes than higher ranked. I put the criteria below.
So pick the right school - and while I appreciate this thought - and this poster also said they don’t put stock in rankings but did note the following - and I agree with them not to put stock.
The U.S. News rankings for undergraduate programs in business, computer science, economics, engineering, nursing and psychology are based on peer assessment surveys of deans and senior faculty from accredited U.S. institutions.
In spring and summer of 2025, deans and senior faculty rated the academic quality of peer programs they were familiar with on a 5-point scale: outstanding (5), strong (4), good (3), adequate (2) or marginal (1). Individuals who were unfamiliar with a particular program were asked to select “don’t know.”
Each qualifying school or program was sent two peer assessment surveys.
An average peer assessment score was calculated for each program using a trimmed mean, which removes the two highest and two lowest scores to reduce the impact of outliers. Programs with at least 10 ratings after trimming were then ranked in descending order based on this score.
Both Michigan and UCLA are excellent colleges for engineering. At this point, you should be looking at the soft characteristics like weather, ease of travel, location, campus, etc. The academics at these schools are both excellent.
I will say, in my opinion, Ann Arbor is one of the best college towns in this country. So, if we are voting, I vote for Michigan (which is a big thing for me to do since I’m from Ohio 
).
I would guess at this point you are not looking for additional colleges to send applications. Please clarify that and if that’s the case, we won’t provide additional ideas @AndieR
OP, have you visited these schools? If not are you able to?
If you can’t visit, I agree with tsbna44 to contact admissions and see if they can connect you with a student. I would also encourage you to post on Reddit as there just aren’t enough students on CC to give you the feedback you are looking for.
Have you compared the curriculum and EE major requirements at each school? Have you looked at various clubs/orgs you might be interested in? Those factors can be important differentiators in one’s decision.
I would expect you can achieve all your goals at both schools, and would also expect outcomes are similar for EE majors. Good luck with your decision, you still have time to visit and/or do more research.
There are also often facebook groups where you may be able to post your questions to get an answer
yes! IME though is many students aren’t on FB (they are tiktokers primarily, also instagram gets some use.) Also, many college FB groups don’t let parents or students in until they have enrolled. I agree though it makes sense to check there, if a student has FB.
True. But not all of those groups are private. They can at least look to see if there is helpful info or a place where they can ask the group administrator if they can post a question. Facebook isn’t just for parents and grandparents to post travel and food pics!
eta: there are several open and useful groups on facebook about UM and UCLA engineering. Definitely worth a look for the OP. (and yes, some are mom’s groups!! LOL but several are direct groups from UM and UCLA engineering)
FWIW, my D was very impressed with UM’s engineering. Their facilities were the most extensive of any school that we toured, the vibe was very very collaborative, engineering clubs were open (although they say that freshman would be learning the ropes and not doing things that were too exciting to start), and it seemed very hands on to us. The engineering students we know from UM all successfully found internships and then launched straight into their careers.
I agree with the other posters who suggest reaching out to admissions to connect with current students if you aren’t able to visit. Also I’d suggest reading the student newspapers and follow the schools social media pages as you can get a good sense of “vibe” from that too!
Congratulations on two wonderful choices. You are in a win-win situation!
My D22 is a senior at UCLA, with 2 engineering roommates (bio and mechanical, so not electrical). I can speak to some of the more general considerations with these schools (my daughter considered both, but we are in state so it was much easier decision to go with UCLA).
A big difference between them (that absolutely affects student experience) is the quarter system vs the semester. UCLA’s quarter system moves fast. Students typically take 4 (sometimes 3) classes, so less than a typical semester schedule, but there’s no down time. This also puts students on a different timeline with internships (they get out of school in June and many internships start at the beginning of June). The benefits of the quarter system are that you end up taking more variety of classes, you’re never stuck for long if you don’t like something, and it seems very possible to study abroad (both my D’s engineering roommates did study abroad and are graduating on time). The drawbacks are pace and calendar—though the calendar didn’t stop anyone from landing internships and some people love the pace.
UCLA is generally a very friendly, collaborative place. Students really live the “work hard, play hard” life and my D and her housemates have a terrific social life. Her engineering roommates don’t seem so stressed out that they can’t join in the fun. One is super active in a club sport, the other joined Greek life. They throw parties at their apartment, have tons of friends, enjoy LA, etc. As far as balance goes, they have had a great experience.
Other overall qualities that differ between these schools—UCLA’s campus is compact, walkable and integrated. My D was put off by Michigan’s shuttle system and didn’t like the idea that she’s need to get up super early in the freezing cold to take a bus to class.
Westwood is the neighborhood surrounding UCLA and it’s fun and serviceable. It has all some good restaurants and shops, but it’s not as cute and charming as Ann Arbor. But then.. you have all of LA to explore. As my D has gotten older, she has really started to take advantage of being in the city. Most in state kids will bring cars once they move off campus, so there’s always a ride.
I’d say, overall, UCLA lacks advising strength. I don’t know how it’s been for engineering but that seems to be a universal complaint. My D has found her own internships. Her roommates have too. I know one works in a lab and formed that relationship early on, so it’s certainly possible to do. UCLA has taught my daughter to hustle, network and compete for opportunities… and honestly that has been one of the most powerful life lessons for a kid who has always loved academics and had her nose in a book).
As for future plans, one roommate is going straight to grad school (the bioengineering major). She was accepted everywhere she applied and is choosing between Duke and UCSD. I’m not sure what the other engineering major is doing.
Anyway, I hope this is helpful to answer some of the more universal differences between these campuses. My D has loved UCLA and it’s a very special place. Good luck!
ETA: the food is also outrageously good at UCLA. (Like we were trying to copy recipes from the on campus dining over the summer bc D missed her favorite foods so much)
An LA metro station near UCLA will open in 2027.
I’ll chime in about my S24s experience in aerospace engineering at UCLA. We are instate so ended up not considering Michigan although he was accepted and now S26 is attending UM in the fall.
For my son, UCLA has been really great due to his peers and the rocket club which has been instrumental in him being able to secure internships at big time rocket companies this summer and fall. Coursework has been pretty easy for him and he has had no problem getting his classes. BUT going to class seems to be a distant second to working in the rocket club. This experience despite coming from a pretty average large public high school. There has been zero interaction with advising nor much mentorship from professors. His most important resource has been older students in the major who pass along advice to younger students. He has learned to seek out opportunities and is definitely a hustler (like most successful UCLA students). Overall, he is very happy with his experience so far. For the summer internship, he will actually start it in May since it is based in LA even though he won’t be done with classes. Although they were willing to let him start in June he opted to start early so as not to miss out. I’m glad to answer more specific questions if needed.