I was admitted to the Masters degree program in Electrical Engineering in Purdue University and Columbia University. I am interested in Smart Grid (Power Systems + Control Systems) research area. So, which one should I choose, Purdue (high ECE ranking of 11) or Columbia (ivy league).
Here is also how I am thinking:
Purdue:
- High ECE Ranking of 11
- Low National Ranking of 46
- Boring area (west Lafayette)
- Lot of courses in ECE and Power Systems
- High retention rate
- Thesis option available
Columbia University:
- High National Ranking of 4 (ivy league)
- Low ECE Ranking of 22
- New York is a convenient city (subway, shopping, entertainment in weekends, ...)
- Lack of courses in Power Systems
- Instead of Thesis, they allow for a max of 6 credit hours of Research (no thesis defense)
What do you think, Purdue or Columbia?