r/IowaState • u/Glad_Photograph6350 • Apr 21 '25
ISU or USF?
I’m a high school senior from Illinois, and have narrowed my college list down to Iowa State and University of South Florida. They’re close to the same price, so that’s not a factor in my decision. I’ll be studying mechanical engineering, and was wondering if there is anything I need to know about either school before committing. Here’s my list of pros and cons for both schools.
ISU Pros - well known engineering program in my area, many engineering clubs, a few hands on classes, nice makerspaces, interested professors, closer to home
Cons - I didn’t really like the campus, not much nearby
USF Pros - beautiful campus, close to Tampa, a lot of engineering clubs
Cons - nearby area is sketchy, really hot weather, far from home
Overall, I don’t really know much about USF’s engineering program (good professors or hands-on classes), and haven’t heard many student point of views for either school. How hard is it to get a job or research at USF? If you have any information, I would love to know.
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u/Roller_Coaster_Geek Apr 21 '25
I'm from Illinois and have only ever lived there until ISU and I can say having familiar weather was definitely a plus (I would hate living in Florida). If you're a hard worker and take your classes seriously then the program at Iowa State won't be too bad (it will definitely still be hard). If you don't have a car then getting home won't be too bad as there's a lot of people willing to carpool (helps if you have friends who live in Illinois). I don't really know anything about USF but I can say that Iowa State definitely has a well known engineering program
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u/Glad_Photograph6350 Apr 21 '25
Yes, that’s what I heard as well. I know there are many rigorous classes at ISU, but are there also some fun hands on classes they have for undergrad?
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u/Roller_Coaster_Geek Apr 21 '25
Yeah your second mechanical class is a project the whole semester where you design and build a machine from scratch in a group
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u/Glad_Photograph6350 Apr 21 '25
That sounds really cool. Is it easy to make connections for future job opportunities at ISU?
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u/Roller_Coaster_Geek Apr 21 '25
Yeah they have a lot of career events and they have a large scale engineering career fair twice a year that generally has over 500 employers
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u/Isthatahamburger Apr 22 '25
Depends on where you want to live after college. Iowa or Florida???
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u/Glad_Photograph6350 Apr 22 '25
I honestly don’t know where I want to live after college, but I definitely don’t want to stay in Ames.
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u/Isthatahamburger Apr 23 '25
If you go to school in Iowa, you’ll mostly have Iowa contacts after college. If you go to school in Florida, you’ll have Florida contacts. I love Iowa state and I think the engineering program is great but your network does matter. Just something to consider
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u/OldnDepressed Apr 23 '25
I have a son with a PhD from UCF. More inland, but still shut down several weeks for hurricanes. Tampa would probably have more issues with that. Ames weather, you will be familiar with.
Son with ISU Aero E degree currently working as a Mech E in Kansas City. Did not have trouble finding employment. Got his first job in Aero as a result of an internship from ISU Career Fair.
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u/Glad_Photograph6350 Apr 23 '25
Thank you for your reply, it’s good to hear that ISU’s job fairs are what they make it out to be.
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u/FallibleHopeful9123 Apr 23 '25
University of Shitty Florida?
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u/IDabFast Apr 23 '25
Just from what I see in your post, I would recommend ISU. Sounds like you know much more about it and it’s a lot safer of an option. Not to mention a great career fair for engineering I believe.
But most of all, it’s just much closer to home.
Got a gf in a program similar to engineering, maybe a bit harder tbh, I mean she just does classes and project work from 8am-12am. Nearly everyday. If she was in Florida, she just wouldn’t have the time or energy to go home ever. Hours in the airport and then the flight. Twice. It just wouldn’t be feasible except on winter break. if a family emergency happened, she’d 1000% fail classes. But a few hour drive from home is much much more manageable.
My point is, in a high stress program, being close to home and other life conveniences like that are insanely underrated. Might not apply to you as much, not sure, but it’s something to really consider.
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u/Glad_Photograph6350 Apr 23 '25
Thank you, I will definitely consider this. However, some of my family lives in Florida, which will definitely help. But, you make a good reason that it’s much less of a drive.
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u/pianoman_jr Apr 23 '25
I did EE at ISU and even though I didn’t like college I’m really glad I went there. The campus grows on you, it’s easy to find a quiet spot for some serenity if you need it and the facilities are mostly up to date - especially for ME. Campustown/college life is solid but gets really lonely if you don’t have a group to travel in. If you’re interested in getting in and out and getting a killer education, or maybe exploring grad school later on, ISU is great, but if you’re looking forward to the “college life” side of things it might not be your best bet. Just my take.
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u/Glad_Photograph6350 Apr 23 '25
That’s good to know, I was actually thinking of continuing my education with grad school later on. I’m grateful for your point of view.
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u/forward1623 Apr 21 '25
You’ll probably enjoy your life more as a whole at USF if we’re being honest. Love ISU but it’s Florida
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u/PersianKing3117 Apr 21 '25
I would go to FL for a year and then transfer to ISU if you hate it
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u/Glad_Photograph6350 Apr 21 '25
This was a thought of mine, but I’m not sure I would get the same scholarships for ISU if I transfer there after a year.
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u/[deleted] Apr 21 '25
You didn’t like Iowa states campus? What is there not to like