UPenn Robotics MSE vs UMich Robotics MS vs Cal Controls MEng vs Columbia ME MS

Graduate School
1

Hi, I am a ME student that has been accepted to several Masters programs for mechanical engineering and robotics. I plan to work after my Masters in the robotics industry. The schools that I am having a hard time deciding between are…

UC Berkeley M.Eng in Mechanical Engineering with Concentration in Experiential Advanced Control Systems - 1year degree
UPenn MSE in Robotics - 2year degree
UMich MS in Robotics - 2year degree
Columbia University MS in Mechanical Engineering with Concentration in Robotics - 1-1.5year degree

For Cal, I received a $30000 fellowship which would make tuition cost about $20000. I was admitted to the other programs without any aid so I would have to pay the tuition in full.
UPenn - Tuition Costs - $70000
Umich - Tuition Costs - $100000 (I think?)
CU - Cost of Attendance - $80000

Overall, I think if money wasn’t an issue, I would definitely attend either UPenn or UMich because I greatly wish to learn all aspects of robotics and it would nice to have the possibility of pursuing a PhD if I ever decided to. As a low-income first generation student though, I feel very pressured to take Cal’s offer due to the low cost of attendance despite learning less from a one year degree.

Do you guys think the debt is worth gaining an education that I most desire? I guess technically the debt is only a year and halfs worth of salary. Please share your thoughts and give me some much needed advice! Thank you.

2

Take the Cal admissions. There absolutely nothing wrong with their MS program and you want to minimize your debt whenever possible. There are plenty of great companies who recruit at Cal and if you want to continue to a Ph.D. then your preparation will be excellent.

3

It’s not their MS program, it is their MEng program. It does not prepare for a PhD at all and rather focuses on industry.