Indiana University or Ohio State for computer engineering: which is the better choice?

The biggest practical tradeoff is that Ohio State has a much more established engineering identity, while Indiana University is stronger as a broad university overall but is not typically the first school people think of for undergraduate computer engineering. For this specific major, that matters because recruiting, peer community, lab ecosystem, and course depth tend to be more robust at schools where engineering is a central institutional strength.

If your question is purely which school is stronger for computer engineering, Ohio State has the clearer edge. Its College of Engineering is a major part of campus life, and students usually have access to a wider engineering network, more student project teams, and a stronger built-in community of classmates across related fields like electrical engineering, computer science, and robotics. That kind of environment usually translates into more design opportunities and a more engineering-focused student experience.

Indiana can still work, especially if you want the resources of a large flagship and you are drawn to Bloomington as a campus. But IU is better known for areas outside engineering, and that affects how the major feels day to day.

Student experience also leans toward Ohio State if you want to be surrounded by a lot of engineers and engineering employers. Columbus is a plus too, since it gives students access to a large metro area with internships and industry connections. Bloomington is a classic college town and many students love it, but for computer engineering specifically, Ohio State is the safer academic and career bet.

So between the two, I would choose Ohio State for computer engineering unless IU is significantly cheaper or you have a strong personal preference for Bloomington.