The odd Miami grad that makes it into Goldman, Disney or McKinsey does not constitute consistency (like I would consider an Ivy or a host of Northeastern schools and elite nationally recognized institutions); it’s more of a coin flip or straw draw - or possibly that errant Miami alum asserting their privilege. But based upon the facts of USNWR, Florida is the better school and it has a few graduate/professional programs that are considered better, and in some cases, demonstrably so.
Also, unless you’re hiring Miami undergrads in the place of UF grads then I’m not sure what purpose that statement serves. i Would think the PhD would be the better hire, especially from a more recognized engineering program, regardless of what an undergrad brought to the table. And, shouldn’t the issue be when a 4.0 UF Engineering student and a 4.0 Miami Engineering student apply for a job, all other things being equal, which student is preferred?
Size of school...Michigan is far bigger than Miami and is also a better school. Yes, I get the smaller class size thing, but better is better. I also saw a figure that the ROI for a UF grad is higher than a UM grad. Not putting a ton of credence in that, just acknowledging that I saw it once.
Anyway, the point is that many of these schools are good and getting better and it’s silly to knock some of these schools when all of them have some extremely bright individual students who can go anywhere and excel in any environment.