re: Looking at maybe transferring into the LSU mechanical engineering program

Like any other undergrad degree, you get out what you put in. If you’re looking for a career in petrochem, LSU is just as well positioned as any of the other big state schools in the southeast.

If you’re looking to get into a field other than petrochem (say, aerospace or automotive) you probably want to shop around.

ETA: Not to say you can’t do aerospace with a degree from LSU. But the big factor here is who recruits heavily at a school. Due to location, LSU’s corporate recruiting base skews heavily toward petrochem.