5 answers
Iyana
Student
Wyandanch, New York
1
Question
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Would you say Ivy League education is overrated, especially if you're pursuing engineering as a career? #Fall25
I'm trying to build up my college application list and am debating whether certain Ivys are worth my time.
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5 answers
Chris Ramsayer
Sales Engineer
2
Answers
Apex, North Carolina
Updated
Chris’s Answer
There are many excellent engineering programs, so spending a lot of money on an Ivy League school may not be necessary. When I was deciding where to apply for an engineering degree, I realized that rankings often consider both undergraduate and graduate programs. After talking with other engineers from different schools, I found out that we all took similar classes during the first three years. In my fourth year at a prestigious university, we focused on engineering theory to prepare for a master's degree. Meanwhile, my friends at state schools had labs and classes that taught practical skills needed in engineering jobs. I could have saved a lot of money by attending an in-state university and still received a similar education that I may have enjoyed more ("practice" versus "theory" is a lot more fun!). However, I will say that the prestige of my school did help me get hired by a great company four states away. Also, consider engineering schools with strong connections to the tech industries. Many companies heavily recruit students from nearby universities for co-op positions, which often lead to job offers after graduation. Imagine not worrying about whether or not you'll get a job offer upon graduation and actually knowing what you'll be doing after you graduate!
Indrani Mandal
Software Technology Consultant
12
Answers
Uithoorn, North Holland, Netherlands
Updated
Indrani’s Answer
Hi Iyana,
As you work on your Ivy League applications, remember to also check out other good universities with strong engineering programs, especially in your favorite field/subject of engineering that you want to go ahead with . In engineering, what really counts is your understanding of the subject, your passion, and your projects and internships. These can be just as important, if not more so, than the college's reputation from where you are pursuing your degree .
As you work on your Ivy League applications, remember to also check out other good universities with strong engineering programs, especially in your favorite field/subject of engineering that you want to go ahead with . In engineering, what really counts is your understanding of the subject, your passion, and your projects and internships. These can be just as important, if not more so, than the college's reputation from where you are pursuing your degree .
Karin P.
Lecturer, Academic Advisor, Career Coach
1085
Answers
Göttingen, Lower Saxony, Germany
Updated
Karin’s Answer
Hi Iyana,
1) Cost: I would not recommend to go into that much debt for an engineering degree. It just doesn't make sense unless you get a very substantial scholarship. And even then, you get a fine education at lots of state universities.
2) Skills: In engineering, your technical skills are much more important than your pedigree.
3) There are all kinds of things to be said about rankings and ivies. But even if you are after the highest "prestige" - ivies and highest-ranked schools don't even overlap.
There are eight ivy league colleges: Brown University, Columbia University, Cornell University, Dartmouth College, Harvard University, University of Pennsylvania, Princeton University, and Yale University.
The highest ranked engineering schools are MIT, Stanford, Georgia Tech, UC Berkeley, CalTech, University of Illinois - Urbana-Champaign, University of Michigan - Ann Arbor.
4) Instead of looking at prestige, I would look at the program itself and the specialties a department has. If you are interested in robotics, look at a school with a strong interdisciplinary robotics program. If you are interested in aeronautics, look for a school that is strong there. I would look at research opportunities, especially undergraduate research, and industry connections. Money is important in engineering, look at the labs and equipment a school has.
I hope this helps! All the best to you!
KP
1) Cost: I would not recommend to go into that much debt for an engineering degree. It just doesn't make sense unless you get a very substantial scholarship. And even then, you get a fine education at lots of state universities.
2) Skills: In engineering, your technical skills are much more important than your pedigree.
3) There are all kinds of things to be said about rankings and ivies. But even if you are after the highest "prestige" - ivies and highest-ranked schools don't even overlap.
There are eight ivy league colleges: Brown University, Columbia University, Cornell University, Dartmouth College, Harvard University, University of Pennsylvania, Princeton University, and Yale University.
The highest ranked engineering schools are MIT, Stanford, Georgia Tech, UC Berkeley, CalTech, University of Illinois - Urbana-Champaign, University of Michigan - Ann Arbor.
4) Instead of looking at prestige, I would look at the program itself and the specialties a department has. If you are interested in robotics, look at a school with a strong interdisciplinary robotics program. If you are interested in aeronautics, look for a school that is strong there. I would look at research opportunities, especially undergraduate research, and industry connections. Money is important in engineering, look at the labs and equipment a school has.
I hope this helps! All the best to you!
KP
Michelle M.
Actress
3276
Answers
Updated
Michelle’s Answer
Hello, Iyana !
This is a good question because more and more I am hearing parents of college aged students talk about this. It's not that Ivy League colleges are "overrated", it's other factors, number one the high expense and number two the low acceptance rate.
Just thinking about how expensive these universities are and how much debt a student could accrue after their education is enough to not consider an Ivy League. Even public high schools are being considered differently today with a rising amount of Homeschooled high school students. Things have changed over the decades and people are really thinking about the quality and experience a university can provide.
You have wonderful colleges where you live on Long Island. I would advise applying to them as they do offer an Engineering Program. These universities are: Stony Brook University, Hofstra University, Farmingdale State College, Long Island University Post, New York Institute of Technology Old Westbury, Adelphi University, and SUNY Old Westbury. Two community colleges that offer a transferrable Associates Degree in Engineering are Nassau Community College and Suffolk County Community College.
I have left some articles on the subject at links below. It certainly is a trend to bypass the ivy leagues. In general, you will be given a strong education preparing you for your career, opportunities, projects to work on and meet a lot of people at a non-ivy. Also, when you consider the very high tuition of ivy leagues and if they are out of state for you, you'd have to pay even more for the first year plus housing and daily living expenses on top of that. It's just more doable to stay in-state and pay less tuition.
As long as you have the appropriate degree, experience and can do very well on job interviews, you should be fine with a local University education. Many have had success without attending Yale, Harvard, Princeton or the others. So rest assured, you are insightful for thinking about this and fortunate to have great Universities accessible to you where you live.
I hope this helps and I wish you all the best !
WHY YOU DON'T NEED THE IVY LEAGUE https://solutionprep.com/why-you-dont-need-the-ivy-league/
WHY TO NOT GO TO AN IVY LEAGUE https://sfaldin.medium.com/dont-go-to-an-ivy-league-9b3a7c600383
NOT OPTING FOR IVY LEAGUE COLLEGES https://www.thefp.com/p/kids-skip-ivy-league-for-southern-schools
DECLING OPINION OF IVY LEAGUE COLLEGES https://www.wallstreetoasis.com/forum/off-topic/a-declining-opinion-of-ivy-league-schools
DOES AN IVY LEAGUE DEGREE MATTER ? https://www.forbes.com/sites/kristenmoon/2024/04/22/does-an-ivy-league-degree-matter/
This is a good question because more and more I am hearing parents of college aged students talk about this. It's not that Ivy League colleges are "overrated", it's other factors, number one the high expense and number two the low acceptance rate.
Just thinking about how expensive these universities are and how much debt a student could accrue after their education is enough to not consider an Ivy League. Even public high schools are being considered differently today with a rising amount of Homeschooled high school students. Things have changed over the decades and people are really thinking about the quality and experience a university can provide.
You have wonderful colleges where you live on Long Island. I would advise applying to them as they do offer an Engineering Program. These universities are: Stony Brook University, Hofstra University, Farmingdale State College, Long Island University Post, New York Institute of Technology Old Westbury, Adelphi University, and SUNY Old Westbury. Two community colleges that offer a transferrable Associates Degree in Engineering are Nassau Community College and Suffolk County Community College.
I have left some articles on the subject at links below. It certainly is a trend to bypass the ivy leagues. In general, you will be given a strong education preparing you for your career, opportunities, projects to work on and meet a lot of people at a non-ivy. Also, when you consider the very high tuition of ivy leagues and if they are out of state for you, you'd have to pay even more for the first year plus housing and daily living expenses on top of that. It's just more doable to stay in-state and pay less tuition.
As long as you have the appropriate degree, experience and can do very well on job interviews, you should be fine with a local University education. Many have had success without attending Yale, Harvard, Princeton or the others. So rest assured, you are insightful for thinking about this and fortunate to have great Universities accessible to you where you live.
I hope this helps and I wish you all the best !
Michelle recommends the following next steps:
Yasmin Mohamed Alamin
Clinical Nutrition Student
63
Answers
Cairo, Cairo Governorate, Egypt
Updated
Yasmin’s Answer
Hi Iyana👋🏻 ...
I wouldn’t say Ivy League schools are overrated, but they’re not the only path to success, especially in engineering. Here’s a realistic perspective:
Pros of Ivy League:
1.Strong networking opportunities and prestige, which can open doors in certain industries.
2. Access to research opportunities and resources.
3. Smaller class sizes and sometimes more individualized attention.
Cons / Considerations:
1. Cost can be high, and some non-Ivy schools offer excellent engineering programs at lower tuition.
2. Engineering success often depends more on skills, internships, projects, and experience than on the school name.
3. Many top engineers come from public universities or specialized tech schools where engineering is the main focus.
For engineering, focus on schools with strong engineering programs, internship connections, and research opportunities... the Ivy label helps, but isn’t everything. Make sure your college list balances prestige, fit, and practicality.
I wouldn’t say Ivy League schools are overrated, but they’re not the only path to success, especially in engineering. Here’s a realistic perspective:
Pros of Ivy League:
1.Strong networking opportunities and prestige, which can open doors in certain industries.
2. Access to research opportunities and resources.
3. Smaller class sizes and sometimes more individualized attention.
Cons / Considerations:
1. Cost can be high, and some non-Ivy schools offer excellent engineering programs at lower tuition.
2. Engineering success often depends more on skills, internships, projects, and experience than on the school name.
3. Many top engineers come from public universities or specialized tech schools where engineering is the main focus.
For engineering, focus on schools with strong engineering programs, internship connections, and research opportunities... the Ivy label helps, but isn’t everything. Make sure your college list balances prestige, fit, and practicality.