I’ve gotten into both UI and Umass Amherst for a BA in Economics. I’m an international student and Iowa gave me $3500 yearly in aid and Umass gave me a chancellor’s award of $8000 yearly. Umass works out to be a bit cheaper. Which college has the academic edge for my major? Also, which is better in terms of social life, diversity and grad school placement? Any help would be appreciated, thanks.
The University of Iowa is one of a group of schools called Big Ten. This is a group of Midwestern universities with long and colorful histories and longstanding sports rivalries.
U Mass is in the northeast where in general state universities are rather bland and nondescript.
Big Ten schools have lots of school spirit and are very important to the states where they are located and they all have great college towns.
I really can’t comment on your major but if you are looking for the classic American college experience, then Iowa would be the best choice.
Unfortunately state schools in the Northeast are just not as good as the ones in other parts of the country. They have not developed much of a persona with the exception of Penn State and University of Connecticut. They have a lot less character and to be honest the campuses are not nearly as nice as the Big Ten campuses.
So if intangibles are important to you, then go to Iowa. If you dont care about such things then both schools are equally good academically.
@Crabby932 Agreed, the Big ten is a plus but what about Iowa’s location? Most people have told me to go for Umass purely because its on the east coast thus making it more diverse and accepting for international students and minorities. Also the location helps for internship prospects I hear. What’s your take on this?
Amherst while a great small town is located a rural area in western Massachusetts, about 2 hours by car from Boston. It is therefore not close to any major metropolitan area. Even though Massachusetts is on the east coast, it is a large state. Iowa is an excellent university and there will be international students there. If you haven’t already, you should post in each of the forums for these two universities and ask the question about internships.
I’d go with UMass Amherst for various reasons:
1° Amherst. Quintessential college town. Only Madison and Ann Arbor can beat it.
2° Five college consortium. The other 4 colleges (especially 3 of them) are elite colleges with small, discussion-based classes.
3° Location. You can get to a lot of major American cities from Amherst, by bus or train (or with friends with cars).
4° Academically, they’re similar.
5° I’m not sure Iowa’s that much better at football or basketball, and I doubt sports or sport rivalries matter much to an international student. So, since UMass’ cheaper, you wouldn’t get more for your money.
Something that’d make a difference: did you get into the Honors College at either?
Always interesting to read people’s perceptions.
First of all, Massachusetts is not a HUGE state. It is probably one of the smallest (except for RI, NH, VT, CT and probably Delaware. All other small Northeast states). You can drive from the tip of Cape Cod to the border of NY in less than 4 hours.
As stated above it is 2 hours to Boston, about 3 hrs to NYC. I’m curious as to what major metropolitan areas are closer than that to UI.
I will grant you that New England state schools live the shadow of all the many, many elite private colleges and universities in the area. (UCONN has gotten great press due to their basketball teams).
Good luck with your decision!
Full disclosure: I am the mother of a UCONN sophomore in Mechanical Engineering and a next year my D will be going to UMass Isenberg Honors College for Finance and Econ.
I would lean towards UMass Amherst. I’m sure there are plenty of international students/minorities in Iowa, but I think UMass would provide you with some more diversity. Both schools are equal in academics. You will get a solid education at both. Sports (Big Ten) probably won’t matter much to you, no? UMass is cheaper so you not only lessen your debt but also will be able to save a little bit of money if you want to go to grad school/business school.
There isn’t and I didn’t say that. I advised the OP not to expect that UMass Amherst is easily accessible to a large city - it’s not.
^^ sorry, I read it wrong.
@MYOS1634 No, I didn’t make the honors college at either but I fully intend to apply in sophomore year. Also, yes I do not really care about sport rivalries. I’m a soccer player but Iowa doesn’t have a men’s soccer team so…
Thanks for the advice everyone 