Hi. Couldn’t help but laugh about the cornfields. So, yes UIUC is an excellent school for engineering, but my son didn’t even consider it because of the cornfields (he knew he either wanted to be in a major city or near one).
So, in all seriousness, University of Maryland engineering is an excellent choice for engineering. Let me address your questions as you have them listed.
1.Here is the info on the differential tuition (the added cost for engineering that is being phased in) https://financialaid.umd.edu/osfa/Differential_Tuition_FAQ.pdf. I’m not sure the difference cost of living expenses would apply that heavily as to balance out the difference in tuition…especially if you are living on campus. Going into DC is an inexpensive ride on the metro (a train) that is very easy to do. All the museums in DC are free. As for cost of getting a pizza or “going out” in College Park surroundings, it’s pretty comparable to any other place.
2.Maryland also has an outstanding reputation for engineering, with excellent facilities (we have a neutral buoyancy lab (the only campus in the nation to have one), a wind tunnel, a nuclear training reactor, etc) and plenty of academic stimulation. Here is the 4 year plan for biochemical engineering - scroll to second page to see expanded abbreviation what the class titles are http://www.eng.umd.edu/sites/default/files/images/current/forms/4yrplan/chbe-4yrplan-ge-2015-2016.pdf. I have addressed most of your question of reputation in another thread, so please forgive me for being lazy and referring you to it http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/university-maryland-college-park/1732708-everything-you-want-to-know-about-engineering-at-maryland-p1.html. Be sure to open the links I included for more detail. As for rankings, here are some for Maryland http://www.umdrightnow.umd.edu/university-maryland-rankings but I only put so much stock in rankings. They are helpful to a degree, but the methodology is often flawed and skewed to info that may not be relevant for you, with the differences sometimes being negligible. It’s all about fit for you personally …what you want, where you are most comfortable. The happier you are, the more successful you will be.
- Haha, yeah, college park is not a bucolic college town like some schools, but it isn't a ghetto! First off, they are transforming the area to become the more typical college town, but in it's present state, it's not bad at all if you stay in the immediate area of campus (there are lots of great food options on the route one strip that divides the main campus from frat row/greek life housing); as you travel further off campus (which I'm not sure you would ever need to?), it does get a little seedy/rough.
- You do not need to go greek to have a good social life at Maryland. I have always said that one of Maryland's strengths is its diversity in general. Everyone also has a tremendous amount of school pride/spirit which really does make a difference! Have you seen this site? http://globalmaryland.umd.edu/offices/international-students-scholar-services. In specific to percentage of international students, this has not been updated with 2015 yet, but hopefully this helps https://globalmaryland.umd.edu/sites/default/files/ies/Fall2014Stats.pdf
Let me know if you have any other questions. I’m the mom of a MechE senior and also an alum if that helps to know.