Is Indiana University or UIUC better for engineering?

For engineering, UIUC is the much stronger name. Illinois is widely known for having one of the most established public engineering colleges in the country, with major depth across fields like mechanical, civil, electrical, computer, aerospace, and materials. Indiana University is not typically where students look first for a traditional engineering-heavy environment, and its reputation is much stronger in other areas than in engineering itself.

A student who wants a big, engineering-centered campus culture, lots of specialized departments, substantial research activity, and strong employer recognition in engineering will usually find UIUC far more aligned with that goal. Illinois has a long history of producing engineers and is especially well regarded by companies and graduate programs in technical fields. If you care about the overall prestige of the engineering program itself, this is not a close comparison.

Indiana University makes more sense for someone who is drawn to IU for the broader university experience and is considering engineering in a less central way, or who may be interested in related quantitative or applied science paths rather than choosing a school because of engineering reputation. IU does have engineering options through the Luddy School and related programs, but it does not have the same national engineering identity, scale, or breadth that UIUC has built over many decades.

So if your question is purely about which school is more respected for engineering, the answer is UIUC. IU can still be a good college overall, but for engineering reputation, opportunities, and depth of program, Illinois stands out clearly.