Yes, these are the QS World rankings for these universities. However, in the CS realm, the order would be:
UIUC
Michigan
Purdue
UCSD
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OP is majoring in computer engineering not CS.
That relative ranking still applies. But TBH the differences between these are minimal. They are all excellent schools for CE, with Michigan having the highest international recognition.
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âŠshould also consider is access to a major international/hub airport. Ann Arbor is close to Detroit; Urbana-Champaign and Lafayette not-so-much.
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Yes, totally agree. I thought someone mentioned the CS-specific ranking upthread so did not repeat.
I was using the QS ranking as a proxy for international reputation for the overall university.
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The extension only works if the OPâs kid HAS a job. Every foreign national who studies in the US needs a plan B, no matter what the major, no matter how wealthy the parents, and no matter how desirable the kids skills are NOW. Four years is a long time in immigration terms and a lot can change. Especially with a new administration possibly coming in January 2025. We saw what those bans did last time around and it was not pretty.
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From an international perspective, itâs better NOT to do an integrated degree since OPT starts after each degree. So, BS with 3 months CPT then 24 months OPT then Masters with 3 months CPT and 24 months OPT vs. Integrated Master being worth only 1 CPT/OPT period.
(CPT=paid off campus internships - on campus work experience doesnât count against that, nor does co-op.)
Also, outside the US, football = soccer. People wear the hats because they convey âUS brandâ.
Why was Purdue eliminated?
The real choice is likely U Michigan or UIUC as both have great prestige abroad and offer world class CS/CSE so either best value for money or highest ranked.
Well, I guess you could pick UCSD for weather, beach, and zoo 
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Frankly, I think that UMich, Illinois, and Purdue are running a virtual dead heat in the larger Engineering/CS world â all three are generally considered to be among the top-10ish schools in the US for those. They are excellent.
So given the cost differential, I would have recommended Purdue as long as there were no huge âfitâ discrepancies among the schools.
But Purdue is out, so â reputationally, UMich and Illinois are a bit above UCSD (a fine schoolâŠ) in the subject(s) of interest. So barring an irresistible urge to go to school on the beach and enjoy nice weather year-round, I think the choice should come down to Illinois and Michigan.
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If parents are wealthy - you just go via one of the investment routes toward a green card but this should be done way in advance of looking for jobs
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I have moved employees from point A to point B for my entire career in Talent/HR.
Every company Iâve ever worked for (and our outside counsel) has one rule for Mobility/Immigration issues- ASSUME NOTHING. Programs can be discontinued with a lot of advance notice or quietly; majors/disciplines can go from âheavily in demandâ to âgo to the back of the lineâ in months; the rules governing specific visas can change with no notice.
I had employees stuck overseas (with legitimate US work status) after our last president imposed various immigration bans; Iâve had employees go home for a parents funeral and not be allowed to return due to an airport employees interpretation of a particular law (or the âwrong stampâ on a passport).
Yes, they all get worked out eventually- except for the graduates of a US university who cannot find a job and end up getting deported (yes, thatâs a thing) because theyâve overstayed their student visa.
Assume nothing. Even with wealthy families who can bankroll one of the favorable programs- DHS does not guarantee that any program on the books NOW is going to be around in 8 years when this kid is done with college, used up his LPT/OPT.
Iâve had a few pleasant surprises- a guy we were trying to hire with UK citzenship for a role in the US. He was a solid candidate but frankly, we didnât think âanything specialâ. His O-visa was approved in record time (thatâs the âAlien of Extraordinary Abilityâ also known as the âMelania loopholeâ). Who knew? Our outside counsel was thrilled and surprised. So sometimes everything goes your way.
Or, you go back to your country of origin with Plan B, as I suggested above. Everyone needs a plan B.
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Seen similar. Donât make plans based on hope and assumptions!
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