My son has been accepted to both and is deciding between the two. Very different campuses, also very different class sizes. Cost is close, though CWRU is about 10K more per year. I know VT is ranked higher than CW for chemical engineering but if he changes his mind to say Biomed, CWRU would be the place to be. They both seem to offer good internships and co ops so we’re not too worried about the experiential options that they offer. Please share your thoughts. TIA.
I can not speak to the engineering majors but those schools are dramatically different in most other ways. Have you gone to admitted student events? What are some important factors to your son outside of academics?
5 Likes
Congratulations!
Smallish city vs Big-Time Sports.
Both schools are great. “Maybe” Virginia Tech, in reputation, is a hair behind today but rising a bit more quickly, and if that trend continues…
Same comment as college3times, these are both excellent for undergrad engineering, but very different in many ways. It is hard for me to imagine being totally indifferent to the implications for my overall four-year college experience. So I would also focus on that question.
4 Likes
I would not go by rank. Who is the ranking? If it’s US News, have you looked at the criteria? It’s a popularity contest of academics - and nothing more. I put the methodology below.
These are two great schools - period, end of story. Do you want to be in Cleveland with all it has to offer and it does a lot - including pro sports, great museumes and a national park nearby , as well as a smaller campus or do you want the beauty of Va Tech with the ACC sports and top flight college food. I’ve read many parents on here say Case’s first year classes are very large - so if you were inferring they aren’t, you might investigate. Per the CDS, 199 of 1217 are 50+ and 52 of those 199 are 100+. At Va Tech, yes they have a higher % of 100+ classes but only 6% - and again, we don’t know if your student will be in those.
Case’s salary page isn’t very good - they don’t list by major nor give you averages. Va Tech’s is better. For ChemE in 2024, the average pay was near $82K and median $84K. Va Tech says they don’t have enough data for biomed - but they have it so. They don’t show a knowledge rate so you don’t know how many participated but it seems a fair amount.
Bottom line - you can’t go wrong with either. If costs were all equal, which does the student prefer?
Student Outcomes 2024_ | Tableau Public
Undergraduate Student Outcomes Data – Career and Professional Development | Virginia Tech
Adding to the group thinking that you should look past rankings (no employer or grad school ever asks where a college is ranked in USNWR). To me these are peer institutions academically. The difference is more in size, vibe, location of the two schools. If both are affordable, go with the fit that feels right.
Congrats on two fine options!
1 Like
Agree with those above that both are great schools for engineering. Since they are so different, agree with recommendation to visit both and chose the one that feels best. I’ve been enormously impressed by Case Western and my student is so happy there. Students that want the school spirit of division 1 athletics, love hiking/ outdoor activities, or have an interest in the Corps of Cadets will be drawn to VT. Students that want the urban cultural and culinary options, a more diverse student body, and a single integrated makerspace (thinkbox) will be drawn to Case. Both have so many academic and extracurricular options; he’s likely to thrive wherever he goes!!
Congratulations to him!
4 Likes
Can you talk about the CWRU class size ? OP alluded to class size - I’m assuming that they think they are smaller at CWRU but I know a parent or two in the past have said they are large at CWRU in the first year - but effective - or something down that path.
it might give OP some context.
Thanks for remembering my post!
Yes- some intro classes are big and yes they are effective!
1 Like
Last time I checked, VTech students need to “apply” to chemical engineering after they are there for a year. CWR does not have that restriction. Might that influence your decision?
1 Like
Yes. At VT, you get admitted to the COE, but you declare your major before your second year. If you have a 3.0, then you get your first choice. If your GPA is < 3.0, you may still get your choice, but you’re not guaranteed. At CWR, you are admitted to CWR, not to the COE, and you “simply” declare your major by the end of March. Doesn’t make too much of a difference.
2 Likes
Went to VT a couple of weekends ago, currently at CWRU’s admitted students event. Totally different environment, not just the campus but the students as well. I think both have great academics and great events. Just want to get as much info as possible to help our son make the best decision for himself.
3 Likes
I may be wrong, but I read “class size” as size of the student body of the college (not size of any individual course.)
1 Like
Waiting on him to decide. Just trying to have as much info as possible on each program to ensure he has everything he needs to make the best choice for himself.
Is one easier to get to - or do you have the sense that he wants a more traditional school with sports or a city school? Hopefully he’ll easily know just from the differences in the schools.
Thank you. CWRU is about 10K more per year and as you said, pretty similar from an academic standpoint as far as we can tell so just waiting for him to decide what’s right for him.
1 Like
Thank you BTW for the links. I had already reviewed the outcomes data for both schools previously and the only thing that struck me was the percentage still seeking/anvailable for employment after graduation. It was 8% for CWRU vs 14% for VT and considering that the class each year at VT is larger, it appears that a fair number of VT ChemE grads don’t have a job prior to graduation. 
I think you have done all you can do…now just be patient and wait for your son to decide which one is right for him.
Put the academics aside…they are both excellent colleges for engineering. What about weather, urban vs not, big sports vs not, proximity to outstanding fine arts (world class orchestra, world class art museum, world class theater) or not, proximity to some excellent restaurants (I hope you had a chance to go to Little Italy while you were at CWRU for your visit), ease of travel (Hopkins is a great airport), etc.
but really…this might just come down to a gut feeling where your son feels he will be happiest for the next four years.
Congratulations on two excellent options!
2 Likes
Very reasonable goal. However, in this particular case, I think the most helpful thing we can do is emphasize it really does not matter which he chooses from an academic quality/career advancement perspective. I’m not one to suggest that is always true, it is just in this case I agree with others: you are talking about two excellent engineering programs where there is no meaningful better/worse.
So obviously you have cost to consider, and other than that it is a question of where he thinks he will have the best four-year experience overall.
3 Likes
Career outcome data is tricky. That included - I didn’t realize - 72% knowledge rate. They don’t know where 28% ended. I didn’t see a timeframe on it. That was 57 reporting and 22 not.
It wouldn’t scare me. I saw from grad school and I see from both my kids undergrads. Many kids don’t even look for jobs b4. They are in school and don’t realize part of going to school is finding a job. Those who hustle - get. And a 6% difference given the # of kids isn’t meaningful.
What if I told you Georgia Tech’s rate was 21.6% in 24/25 (only 1/3 participate overall - not sure the major)?
In the end, I’ve learned that if you hustle you enhance your chances of winning.
The student will be on campus four years, day after day.
They may have a great experience at either - but up front, one probably speaks more to them than the other.
I’ll let you know for many food is an issue. Both mine didn’t eat and suffered low blood sugar first semester. Va Tech is in most everyone’s top 3. Never heard anything about Case Western’s food - but niche ratings give it a C - which isn’t good. So perhaps that’s something else to consider - or dig deeper into.
Maybe @acurtis1120 has some thoughts on dorm food?
Virginia Tech Post Graduation Report: 2023-2024 Full Report: College of Engineering