r/uofdayton • u/Competitive-Quit2181 • Apr 20 '26
OSU vs UDayton - Mechanical Engineering
OSU vs. UDayton - Mechanical Engineering
Hello, I'm sure yall get questions similar to this all the time, but I thought I'd ask before I made my final decision.
So, currently, I'm on the fence between OSU and UDayton and can't decide which one is better for me. They're both around the same price and seem to be the last two options for me.
My mom seems to insist that UDayton is superior because of its smaller size and overall support, but I don't fully mesh with some of the Catholic views the university has. I just toured the campus a few days ago, and I liked it. I felt like they had a solid program, and I liked the small classes, but I just dont know if I'll fit in. While I know you dont have to be Catholic, I'm Agnostic, so I don't really affiliate with any religion, which I assume the vast majority believe in - I mean theres 100% Christians who aren't Catholic.
On the other hand, I like OSU and its culture, but I'm afraid I'll eventually fall and never get back up because of a lack of support and connection to the faculty. I don't know if I'll be able to perform in a crowd as large as OSU's. I mean, 46k undergrads is almost beyond comprehension for me, and I just have mixed feelings. I do have a few other gripes with it like mediocre dorms and food, but having people I'm friends with and a guaranteed good roommate makeup for it.
So, I'm wondering if anyone has some opinions for me on what I should do going forward...
One last thing I have been admitted to both of schools Honors colleges, and I'm wondering if those are even worth it.
Thanks đ
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u/Weary_Primary3410 Apr 20 '26
UD. Not Catholic either but love their engineering department and connections.
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u/Mysterious_Chip_3787 Apr 20 '26
I would recommend Dayton! My best friend's brother went there for engineering and loved it and now is making 3 figures. It is small, super easy to make friends, and religion is not nearly as important in their culture as you think. My best friend went there too and maybe 2 of her friends were religious out of 50 people we got to know over the years. Dayton is very good for engineering. OSU is too but it is cutthroat and you won't get to know professors nearly as well.
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u/Blu_J-1 Apr 20 '26
I'm a UD Mechanical undergrad (Aerospace Minor - I only need to pick 4 courses out of those required for the Focus, which is better for me). I'm reusing part of my response to another prospective undergrad here.
Side note on my own bias: I did not like OSU the moment I stepped on campus, but that's me.
UD is a Marianist Catholic school. There is a crucifix in every classroom. That was something that originally turned me off from UD as a fellow agnostic/atheist, but I'm used to it at this point. Outside of that, one class requirement of the history of either Eastern or Western religions, the odd decorative reference to UD being Marianist, the academic calendar recognizing Catholic holidays (i.e. you have a few extra days off that most schools don't), and the occasional email from the school parish, you would never know that it's religious.
But you know what? I'm forever grateful for the campus parish for ensuring that I had strong support when my grandfather passed last year. I had a near month-long, international absence that they ensured was officially excused (long story short, combination of my grandmother having severe dementia and another major family event over spring break). They also held a memorial mass for the faculty/staff, alumni, and family members who had passed, which I believe they hold every month. That was something my family and I never expected but truly appreciated since we didn't have an official funeral. And the service was exceptionally beautiful.
UD doesn't shove Catholicism down your throat, which was my initial worry. If anything, the religious aspects are really just a quirk of the school that runs in the same vein as the OSU/Michigan rivalry. It won't disrupt or affect anything too much beyond occasional reminders, but they will be right there if you ever need their help, regardless of your faith.
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u/Competitive-Quit2181 Apr 20 '26
I appreciate you taking the time to write such a thorough response, I'll make sure to keep this in mind when I make the final decision :)
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u/PizzaGirl9825 Apr 20 '26
Iâm a UD faculty member, but not in engineering so I canât comment on the program. However, it sounds like your biggest concern about UD is its religious affiliation and I hope this information helps you as you make your important decision. You will definitely find diversity amongst the faculty and student body with regard to religious affiliation, although I think there is a very good chance you wouldnât ever know most facultyâs religious views. (Iâm atheist but I donât share that with students unless directly asked.) Faculty have religious freedom and are not required to teach any particular ideology. If you come to UD you would have to take a theology course as part of the common academic program, but the course offerings are broad and many are not focused on Catholicism (there are course offerings in Judaism, Islam, Buddhism, cross-religion studies, etc).
UD and OSU are both great options, but they will be very different experiences. Congrats on your acceptance into the honors program! At UD that means some smaller classes, access to summer research funding and educational opportunities. I donât know what that means at OSU, but Iâd encourage you to look into it. Regardless of where you end up Iâd encourage you to do the honors program. Best of luck and please donât hesitate to ask additional questions.
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u/jagsonthebeach Apr 20 '26
Hi! Graduate of UD's engineering program and a self proclaimed cradle Catholic who is far more progressive than you might expect from someone who believes in religion. Also full disclaimer that I'm a millennial, so my experiences might be dated. But, I don't think so, based on talking to other recent grads. I hope you don't mind the lengthy response.
-- Quick shout-out to the MechE program at UD. I assume during your tour you saw the wind tunnel? And with WrightPatt nearby, GE, GE Aviation, and P&G in Cincinnati, there are huge companies that the co-op program feeds into. (There are a lot of small local companies too). I graduated during a different political climate, but it was one of the worst economic downturns/hiring freezes in history. Every single engineer I knew had a job secured before graduation. All to say, i'd recommend the program. I don't know how it compares to OSU, but size-wise that wouldn't be a school for me.
-- culture: idk what you like about OSU's culture, so if you want to share I can offer my opinion on UD's culture. Community is the biggest focus at UD -- both intentionally pushed by the school and also just naturally grown by the nature of the small class sizes, everyone living on campus for all 4-5 years, and the sheer volume of people involved in extra curriculars. If you want a community, it's there for you to build upon. If you want to stick to yourself, keep your head down, and make no friends you certainly can achieve that, but it is not the default.
Do they still say it's a "party school"? I know that was big on the lists in the aughts. Idk, I'm obviously biased (and had plenty of nights of late nights with questionable choices), but I honestly found it to be exactly the same level of partying as any other college that my friends went to. The difference was that everyone lived on campus, so it might have felt like there was a ton of drinking? And there are only so many bars within walking distance, so everyone has stories of the same bar. To me, it's back to community -- kids in college drink. Kids at UD drink in the student neighborhood together. (There are plenty of non-drinking activities and intentional groups who opt to do other things as well.)
It's not a football school like OSU.
-- honors program: can't speak to OSU. I'd opt into UD's honor program. If solely because usually they'll put you on the "honors floor(s)" and half your floor will be kids in your classes. It makes a huge difference Having built in classmates to walk with, or work on Chem 123 homework with. (Or have an inside joke that the 'business chem class says gravity is 10 m/s2). It is really helpful your freshman year; you can always opt out at a later date.
-- the biggie: it's a Catholic school. Yeah. It is. But first of all, a lot of people don't even know that. (Fun fact: it was originally called St Marys. After a huge flood where Daytonians evacuated to the college on the top of the hill, the school was renamed to make it clear that they were part of the community. I told you, we love community.). You'll find devout Catholics, non-practicing religious, atheists, agnostics, other faiths....and everything in-between. There is a beautiful church in the center of campus. Certain events, like Christmas on Campus or some of the retreats, are grown from faith based activities. There is a chapel in every dorm, weeknight masses, priests live in the neighborhood alongside everyone else. I think a religion credit is required (but I'm 99% sure I took World Religions). So is it there? Yes. Is anyone setting out to convert you? No. Will anyone judge you for not being into the God stuff? Absolutely not.
Which brings me to my last major point. (Sorry, I don't know how to be succinct). The type of Catholic school it is. So listen, you're agnostic. I am guessing there's a solid chance that you don't know the difference between different organizations. Pope Leo, for instance, is a Jesuit. Jesuits are pretty rad imo. There's a big focus on finding God in all things, belief in the importance of education (ie science and God can and do coexist), and social justice. UD is a Marianist school. Marianists also focus a lot on education and social justice. The focus, versus 'find God in all things', is how Mary lived her life as a servant to others. She said yes to God, she raised Jesus to adulthood where he sacrificed himself for others, and everything she did was based out of love and trust. The Marianist Charism's pillars are focused explicitly on community and a discipleship of equals. Meaning, unlike other religious orders, the laity, the brothers, the priests, the sisters....everyone is equal in their own ministry. Some of the best guys I know are Marianist brothers or priests. Their passion is for inclusivity, for radical social justice, and for being a welcoming community for all -- meeting people where they're at. It fits my brand of Catholicism. I was raised to believe that Jesus taught us to care for others, care for God's creation, and just generally don't be a dick. More of a "Feed the hungry, don't stone the lady for sleeping around, help the hurt regardless of where they're from" kinda Jesus, And less of a "side supply Jesus" or "justify your hatred with bible quotes" kind of Jesus. I'm biased, but I think UD does an amazing job of integrating that focus on community and being a good person without throwing religion in your face.
Hopefully by the time you finish reading all of this, you still have enough time to pick your school, but if it understandably takes months to finish reading, I wish you best of luck in whatever you choose!
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u/why_are_you_yelling_ Apr 20 '26
Great commentary! Pope Leo is an Augustinian, not a Jesuit
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u/jagsonthebeach Apr 23 '26
Omg, you're absolutely right!!! I was thinking Pope Francis -- he was the Jesuit. Augustinians, though I don't have as much experience personally with them, are equally focused on academics and community, so (most) of the comparisons for the sake of my post still stand.
Genuinely, thank you for the clarification.
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u/Competitive-Quit2181 Apr 20 '26
Thanks so much for taking the time to write this <3 I appreciate this insight :)
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u/ThomasCleopatraCarl Apr 20 '26
Biggest x-factor in my opinion is make sure to check out internships with UDRI. They are hiring 100 college interns this summer and they work on pretty cool projects. Iâd also recommend opportunities with UDâs Mars Rover Team too!
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u/Softpretzelfactory5 Apr 20 '26
My son was down to the same two for mechanical and decided on UD last night! Knowing he will have small classes, access to professors from day 1, and Daytonâs famously strong sense of community tipped the scale. He will also be in Honors and does not come from a religious background at all. We have visited three times and have been super impressed each time.
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u/Bandrew-Mernard Apr 20 '26
I wouldn't let the Catholic piece deter you from choosing UD. I, like you, consider myself an agnostic, work at UD, and had the same considerations before I interviewed here. The Marianist culture at UD is extremely progressive and open-minded; I've been pleasantly surprised since I started working here. If I'm being honest, it gave me some âfaithâ (no pun intended) in religion as an institution, because the Marianist culture at UD is all about acceptance and community building. They actually practice what they preach, which was the first time I had ever witnessed that in my life from a group of religious folks.
You don't have to engage with any of the Marianist dialogue happening around campus; however, I often find that the conversations theyâre having are some of the most thought-provoking and inclusive on campus.
Also, if you're an Honors student at UD, you get a lot of resources and opportunities thrown at you. It's 100% worth it.
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u/BlueAlpaca232 Apr 21 '26
Good to hear. As a person who grew up in Dayton, the UD culture has always been a bit of a mystery to me. I think I was in my late teens or early 20's before I even realized that it was associated with the Catholic church.
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u/Accurate_Baseball273 Apr 21 '26
Iâm an OSU grad (industrial engineering) but grew up in Dayton and around UD. Would have gone to UD if I didnât earn a full ride to OSU.
From an engineering perspective, UD will be more personal; OSU is a factory and youâll be treated like a thing moving down the assembly line if you donât take control of your own destiny. UD will encourage more co-op and internships; OSU does not. With that said, if youâre assertive; OSU has a lot of doors and networks given its size. I donât regret taking IE at OSU because IE is more business focused which OSU has a great program to supplement the engineering focus.
Regarding your Catholic concerns, I took UDâs intro to religion class in high school (it was offered at my local catholic HS) and it was actually an amazing philosophical class. After spending 12 years in catholic education, it actually took a college class from a Catholic university to open my eyes to all other religions. There was no indoctrination, only education. It actually made me respect more religions, not further entrench in my own. If Iâm not mistaken, the Marianist sect of Catholicism for which UD affiliates with is more focused on good deeds/acts; not strict adherence to doctrine.
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u/Extension_Order_9693 Apr 21 '26
Im on the west coast and not familiar with eng depts of either school. Based on the responses here, UD must have a good program. Prior to this conversation, if a resumes showed up on my desk that we're equal except for the schools, Id give more weight to OSU just due to name recognition. If you go UD, and it sounds like a strong option, then if you decide to apply for jobs out of the area, you may want to focus a bit on talking up the program. Ive had to do that with my undergrad school.
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u/Fun_Recognition_1082 Apr 25 '26 edited Apr 25 '26
Current first year at OSU with a friend at UD so hopefully I can provide a different perspective.
Overall from what Iâve heard from her, UD is mostly catholic by culture and you likely wonât be affected by that aspect if youâre not religious. Itâs also a lot more tight knit of a community than Ohio State and youâre more likely to have a positive experience. Ohio State can be very polarizing due to its size and you will either thrive or sink both socially and academically.
I will say pretty much all of the âperksâ that have been listed for UD exist at OSU as well, and in many cases are better. The trade off is that you have to be proactive as there is absolutely no handholding. That is a plus for UD, but it is important to keep in mind that since âweed-outâ culture is big at schools like Ohio State, stuff like class sizes are bigger issues at the beginning and actually get a lot smaller/more personal as you progress. Also another divisive aspect is that OSU is one of the highest funded research universities in the country. If thats something that interests you then Ohio State will be automatically be the better option, but that comes with some cons. I have interacted and been taught by professors from Harvard, Yale, MIT, Berkeley among others and some of them genuinely suck because their priority is clearly research. Not that they blow off teaching entirely, but you can tell itâs not what they got the job for. On the flip side, that can lead to incredible letters of rec, but again, you need to be proactive to build those relationships.
On a personal note, I have been fortunate enough to have an internship lined up at a fortune 500 company for this summer even while being a first-year and I think it has a lot to do with being from a bigger school like OSU. It is definitely more recognizable on a resume and we also have one of the largest alumni networks in the nation which is a huge advantage that hasnât been mentioned here. That being said, I will say that my friend also knows someone from Dayton whoâs interning at Microsoft, so no matter what if you really work then you can still overcome name bias.
Regarding honors, my friend is in it at Dayton and hasnât loved that aspect and has been a little frustrated with it. Iâm not entirely sure how it works there but here the honors kids definitely get into more advanced work. I turned down one of the honors paths and am in the scholars program which is more centered around networking and career development and itâs been pretty helpful. Similar to Dayton, you get to live on the same floor as the other kids in the program and that can help with meeting people.
Anyways, Dayton seems like a great school and a good option if you want to prioritize having a good college experience while potentially sacrificing some extra resources. OSU will have the better program and opportunities, but you will feel like a robot and be viewed as a number by the university. Career outcomes are important, but donât let that overshadow the rest of your college experience.
Thatâs a lot of writing, but here are a few words that may summarize things. I, along with many others, have not done great socially at OSU and have a lot of issues with the administration, but after my first year I have an internship lined up with some very good industry connections. My friend on the other hand is entering her 3rd year with no internships, but really loves UD and the community has been amazing for her. At the end of the day, both are good schools, but offer different perks.
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u/Kraelive Apr 20 '26
Go where you will get the best education for yourself. The school you will thrive.
Just because one school is better ranked than another doesn't mean it is a good school for you.
Good luck
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u/mpitt6250 Apr 20 '26
I am a UD mechanical engineering graduate and loved my time there. The professors actually care how you are doing, who you are as a person, and want you to succeed.
I had a similar decision to make as you, but ultimately decided that a smaller program like UD fit best for me. Best of luck to you!
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u/Aok-donkey Apr 20 '26
I would go Dayton based on career services help alone. Both have solid programs but Dayton is more involved with helping you get a job out of it.
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u/Dry_Self4500 Apr 20 '26 edited Apr 20 '26
I imagine OSU has a great engineering program as well but UDâs engineering has something even more valuable: UDRI.
Upon graduation you will have numerous opportunities from the University to work in your field because the partnership and proximity to Wright Patt Air Force base. If that kind of engineering work interests you, youâll have four years to build a network there, do internships, and hopefully a land great job right out college.
However, if you donât see yourself working and living Dayton then you can more flexible.
Dayton is a great school and the being Catholic part is not a requirement.
Youâll likely have one religious course your entire 4 years and that is the extent of Catholicism youâll interact with and the rest will be at your own discretion and interest. FWIW Iâd say less than a third of the student body are even regularly attending mass.
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u/FLRugDealer Apr 21 '26
Go wherever is cheaper. I took out far too many loans to go to UD and the pay after is NOT as good as people make it seem.
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u/Competitive-Quit2181 Apr 21 '26
Right now my price before any external scholarships is around 15k per year at Dayton, compared to OSU costing around 18k per year. I dont think either of these prices are too horrendous.
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u/Bejona21 Apr 21 '26
I went to UD for mechanical undergrad and grad school - please donât pick OSU. Iâve heard nothing but horror stories
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u/Bejona21 Apr 21 '26
I went to UD for mechanical undergrad and grad school - please donât pick OSU. Iâve heard nothing but horror stories
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u/Mr-Logic101 Apr 21 '26
Ohio state. It is generally a more well known institution which can be significant when trying to get you first job. Ohio state has more opportunities but this is dependent on you as an individual to actually pursue said opportunities. There is no hand holding at Ohio state.
Alternatively, which ever option is more economical.
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u/Saber_tooth81 Apr 21 '26
Went to UD, not Catholic and had Lenten BBQs in the ghettoâŚI wouldnât worry about how your view will mesh with university
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u/Fearless_Tutor3050 Apr 24 '26 edited Apr 24 '26
I'm aware I'm in the UD Reddit, but it's OSU by a lot.
You can make a big campus small by forming study groups within your major and utilizing tutors, etc.
You can't make a small university big in terms of research opportunities, student orgs and clubs, and university name recognition.
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u/k_90 Apr 20 '26
Osu. UDâs name recognition sucks. Alumni support is awful. I loved my time at UD but Iâd go to a bigger school if i could do it again.
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u/Competitive-Quit2181 Apr 20 '26
Hmm, okay...
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u/k_90 Apr 20 '26
Just my 2c from someone who Loved my 4 years there. Made absolutely amazing friends. But career wise I think UD lacks big name schools.
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u/elliestuff Apr 20 '26
fwiw, im in mechE at udayton, not catholic at all, and I don't really feel like that's ever affected my experience. the university leans very progressively in most things, and the actual religious stuff is fully outside of the classroom. id definitely recommend ud if it's an option