[jawzz]

Not the OP, but as I’d say that subjectively speaking, you’re better off going to MIT, but only if you have the passion and drive to succeed at a place like that (which you probably do if you got into MIT).

But for Boston College, Boston University, or Northeastern? You’re probably going to end up paying more than MIT and get an education that’s indistinguishable from UMass, quite possibly worse in some respects.

What people have been saying in this thread is not incorrect (though should be nuanced): the ivy leagues are worth it for the caliber of the student body and reputation; otherwise, go to a (Tier 1) public school.

Unless, of course, you don’t want to and can easily afford otherwise.

[thehappypm]

BC, BU, and Northeastern are all excellent schools. Boston is a weird place.. any of those three schools would be a top tier private school in just about any other city in the country, but in Boston they're seen as second tier just because of the ludicrously good schools in Massachusetts. They're all in the top 50 according to US News.

[bsder]

> Northeastern

Isn't Northeastern still a big cooperative education school?

I assure you that those of us in engineering know the difference between a student with work experience and one with only academic experience.

[akhilcacharya]

Maybe I should be more clear - I didn't go to a Tier1 public school, didn't get into an elite school, how screwed am I?

[borski]

You're fine. There are a ton of reasons MIT and UMass Amherst would help, but they are not for everybody, and I saw plenty of folks struggle at MIT and gain nothing out of it (even not graduating).

What matters a lot more than the name of the institution on your degree is experience; getting that experience may be a bit tougher at a small school (you don't have FAANGs or huge biotech firms recruiting there), but it is certainly not impossible.

Three of the last four engineers I hired had no formal CS degree (but they had gone to bootcamps).