University of Alabama vs DePauw vs Iowa State

[hushed dust]

Schools: University of Alabama, DePauw, and Iowa State
Intended Major: Mechanical Engineering or Computer Science

Two big universities and a small LAC; I don't mind the school size.

University of Alabama

Pros:
20k COA, the cheapest among the three
• Warmer Weather
• Gorgeous campus, excellent suite-style dorms
• Honors College
• Have Men's Club Volleyball
• Decent college town.

Cons:
• Their engineering program is ranked 96th in US News (I don't know if it's a con)

DePauw University

Pros:
• 23.5k COA, got good aid
• The Highest Overall Ranking (46th in LACs)
• Nice honors program
• Small Classes.

Cons:
• In the middle of nowhere
• Cold Weather
• Shitty Dorms
• No Men's Volleyball Club
• Although I am not fixated on engineering yet, attending DePauw will completely close that door as it does not have an engineering school (the chances of getting aid for a 3-2 dual degree program are minuscule).

Iowa State University

Pros:
• Highest ranking engineering school among the three (45th in US News)
• Have Men's Club Volleyball
• Honors College
• Gorgeous campus, average dorms
• Decent college town.

Cons:
• 27k COA on average excluding summer term (I got two scholarships: 12k for four years and 5.25k for two years)
• Cold Weather.

Cost is my top priority, my EFC is 15k, which is a lot of money for a middle-class family in India, and I don't want to dump that sum on a degree that's not worth it.

Thank you very much to anyone who takes the time to read this.

[charred cliff]

I've toured Alabama, it's pretty great for how generous it is

You got programs such as Randall Research you could do your sophomore year which delves into computer-based research as an undergrad

They've won many awards, especially when it comes to Goldwater scholars