UCSD vs Brown BME Masters Program

[Jedi093]

Hi guys,

I got into Brown and UCSD for BME masters and need some advice to choose. I really liked Brown's program but they are very small right now and is making an effort to grow in the future whereas UCSD is already an established BME school.

On the US news ranking this year, Brown is #49 and UCSD is #4. I'm don't know whether this matters though since Brown has the Ivy league name.

Both schools are next hubs for biomedical companies (Brown is near Boston, UCSD is in San Diego). 

The student to faculty ratio is very high in UCSD compared to Brown. Brown has about 32 current masters students and 40+ faculty members whereas UCSD has total of 252 grad students for 25 faculty members. It seems to be very easy to get the research you want in Brown in comparison to UCSD ( formed this opinion after visiting both schools and talking to current students in each respective program there).

Brown gives a lot of flexibility academically (you have full autonomy to choose your classes/curriculum). UCSD has a set structured program so you have very little choice to set your curriculum that you want.

Tuition costs is about ~33k (UCSD) vs ~50k (Brown) and housing is a little cheaper in Providence than San Diego. Money isn't a big problem but I want to make sure my degree can give more options/opportunities in the future.

I like San Diego much more than Providence but I can suck it up and deal with the weather if I have to.

Please give me any suggestions or advice, would really appreciate it.

Thanks!

Edited May 19, 2016 by Jedi093