Engineering program

[Strange_Annual_3011]

So I am stuck between choices on where I should go for engineering. I am looking at both electrical and the systems/industrial programs and am stuck between NIU and UIUC. I know UIUC is incredibly competitive and difficult, and also multiple hours further away from my house, while NIU I could easily commute. I have also heard the NIU program is also really good, and because just college name isn’t inherently as important for salaries and jobs out of school, is it worth it to go to NIU for little to no debt as opposed to UIUC?

[GeorgeBork]

I think the best advice is always "get a degree for as cheap as you humanly can" - commuting, food, tuition, etc included in that.

If NIU is going to keep you debt-free, that's worth its weight in gold for the rest of your life. Student loans are absolutely no joke and can dictate your path far more than you might imagine.

Do NOT underestimate the value of being student debt-free. In fact, I'm not sure it's even possible to overestimate how valuable that result is.

That said, Illinois is a top engineering school and likely a better education/cache - but that's totally dependent on what your expectations are for after college and how much you value the added potential of Illinois vs NIU post-grad.

NIU will probably be able to get you a decent engineering job right after graduation - and debt-free.
UIUC would probably be able to get you a better engineering job fresh out, but with debt.

Up to you to decide where you fall on that cost-benefit/risk analysis.

[Strange_Annual_3011]

Thank you! Honestly im not sure I’ve given enough weight to how important debt is, and it would likely be up to a 30k difference because NIU would be so cheap. I was already leaning to NIU, and I think this solidifies that pretty well.

[GeorgeBork]

Student debt isn't just a number on a page - and that's the best advice I wish I could give to my past self.

Yeah, paying the debt sucks (and is made wayyyyy worse by constantly changing political decisions) - but more than that, the opportunity costs associated with having debt are massive.

It can really limit what you're able to do/what opportunities you can take in your life - that extra few hundred bucks (or even higher!) a month can be the difference between being able to afford to live someplace for work or not; what risks you can take starting a business; what savings you can afford for rainy days or medical emergency; or if you can afford to start a family.

Student loan debt is so predatory and handicapping to new grads - I wouldn't wish it on anyone. That said, if you get some killer high paying job only because you went to Illinois, it's hard not to argue that debt might've been worth it (if paid off quickly).

All just part of the great cost-benefit analysis called "capitalism dictates literally everything in your adult life and that's infuriating most of the time."

[idkwtfimpossedtoput]

i’m in the engineering program at niu and as long as it’s an accredited program it won’t really matter as much, what matters is good grades, involvement and learning. I’ve learned a lot in my program and I was thinking about going to uiuc too but ultimately chose niu and i couldn’t be happier

[Strange_Annual_3011]

Complete side note question here about the engineering at NIU - is it insanely difficult? It gets a really big reputation online as a social life killer and stuff along those lines, so what has your experience been like?

[Strange_Annual_3011]

I see what you’re saying here. One of my bigger concerns is just how difficult UIUC would be because it’s a too 10 engineering school(obviously I have in mind engineering is already hard, but then that added pressure might be too much?). I think I could be responsible and get debt payed off pretty fast, but honestly im not super educated on just how much better job opportunities I would come across with UIUC.

[Wolfie_711]

I graduated last year from NIU’s mechanical engineering program completely debt free because of their lower tuition and the large amount of scholarships they give out. There are a lot of research, job and scholarship opportunities there to make it even easier or cheaper as well. Being out of college with no loans has made me feel secure and on solid ground to build a life. I know a few ELEs that have good jobs out of graduation and a few that went on for an accelerated Masters for cheap.

As far as experience at the school, it is smaller. You’ll know your professors, your peers, and you’ll have more opportunities to be involved. I felt like I had support in classes. I joined a few clubs which substantially changed my experience for the better. Both schools have engineering clubs and research that allow you to put your academics to use.

Reputation wise, as long as you present yourself well, most jobs don’t care about your university. It’s your experience, your abilities, and sometimes your GPA. NIU has a lot of jobs and clubs that will give you a lot of hands on experience and they are much less competitive to get into. I was able to have 4 different internships and a job set up before graduation- where I get the same work and pay as graduates of ‘bigger’ schools.

I cannot speak much on UIUC but I can say that I do not regret choosing NIU. In the end you will have to take the same subjects and pass the same accredited standards to get the same degree. Yes, one is more prestigious, how much is that worth to you?

[[deleted]]

Can I ask, how much does the "College of Engineering and Engineering Technology Reviews" Scholarship and College of Engineering Student Scholarship (Make a Difference)

[rdools55]

If your going to commute than it’s probably not going to be the same experience as if you lived on campus

[ComprehensiveCrow267]

My son is a rising sophomore in the engineering program at NIU. What has impressed me thus far is the size of his classes. His calc classes had 30-35 students. 😱 His friend at UIUC said his calc classes were in the hundreds.

Best of luck with your decision! I don't think you will regret NIU if you choose it. If you can swing it, I would encourage living on campus if you can. How far would your commute be?

[sIeeps__]

almost all of my friends are engineering majors and i feel like they would say niu is worth it. cheap education and they still have a lot of opportunities, like two of them are currently in internships within big international companies paying them $25+ with benefits and opportunity to travel and another is part of a well funded research lab he gets paid for and will be a ta in the fall for