Which has a better AE program SDSU or UCSD.

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The discussion centers on the decision between transferring to San Diego State University (SDSU) or the University of California, San Diego (UCSD) for aerospace engineering. The student is currently attending a community college in Moorpark, CA, with a 3.0 GPA and is considering tuition costs and the opportunity to study abroad in Germany, as they are a German minor. Comparisons between the two programs highlight that UCSD has a stronger reputation in engineering, particularly in aerospace, and offers a robust curriculum that includes supporting courses in Materials Science and Engineering and Numerical Analysis. While UCSD is noted for its higher tuition costs and potentially larger class sizes in upper-division courses, it is recognized for its faculty quality and academic reputation, which may outweigh concerns about class size. The conversation also suggests exploring other California schools that may fit the student's criteria.
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I'm currently going to a community college in Moorpark, CA, and I plan on transfering to either SDSU or UCSD. I'm an average student with a 3.0 gpa. Also the cost of tuition is a major factor and any school that would take me with my gpa. Another factor is that I want to study abroad in germany because I'm a german minor, so I have to take that into account. But does anybody have an idea of which school has a better aerospace engineering program; San Diego State or UC San Diego? Are there any other schools in california that might meet my criteria that I should consider? Much thanks in advance
 
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The 'best' program may depend on one's interest and which program can best support one's goals and interests.

Perhaps one should compare curricula:

SDSU - http://coursecat.sdsu.edu/catalog/A%20E.pdf
http://coursecat.sdsu.edu/catalog/ACCTG%20201%20to%20ANTH%20560.pdf - AE starts page 278 or 2of10 in pdf

UCSD - http://maeweb.ucsd.edu/undergrad/advising/degree_chk.php

Also look at supporting courses in Materials Science and Engineering and Numerical Analysis.
 
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UCSD probably does. I heard that UCSD has a very good engineering program. In general, UC's have more reputation than 'state' schools, such as SDSU
 
The UCSD looks good but isn't it a little more expansive than a state school? Also, aren't the class sizes usually smaller for state schools. That is what I'm use to since I'll be coming from a JC.
 
UCSD has a much better reputation if that's what you mean. Have you heard of the University of California system? If not, look it up. UCSD's faculty quality is top and I would say that the school's science and engineering rep is second to Berkeley's.
 
Migkiller said:
The UCSD looks good but isn't it a little more expansive than a state school? Also, aren't the class sizes usually smaller for state schools. That is what I'm use to since I'll be coming from a JC.

yeah its probably more expensive. The class sizes are smaller for the lower-div classes. For upper-div engineering, the class size gets smaller. However, class size is not nearly as importnat as the reputation of the school's academics and faculty
 

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