School is what you make of it. If you want to go to a great school with a great reputation you can. But its going to be your choice on how much you engage yourself within the curriculum. Just because you go to a great school doesn't mean you can't dick around and learn nothing.
Also, if you go to a school with a lower reputation, you still have all the resources to learn as much as you want about what you want.
I am talking from personal experience. I went to DU for awhile and now I'm almost done at CU after transferring here sophmore year. Your education is your responsibility and no one elses. The school matters somewhat but at the end of the day its about how you engage yourself during your time at college.
I'll be honest, I didn't care for DU too much. All the same type of kids went there and it was really really exspensive. Plus the school makes you live in the dorms for two years and are super strict about drinking/smoking in your room. I decided to leave DU after I got in trouble for drinking one Blue Moon in the dorms. I got written up, had to write a two page paper to my parents, and then proceeded to have to go to a meeting with the school counselors over one beer. Talk about a waste of time and resources. I have better things to be doing at age 20 then being treated like an infant.
Now I go to CU. The education is pretty much the same as it was at DU. Some classes are bigger that I have been in, but that's not something I find important. Small classroom settings are nice since there is more engagement, but at the same time you can learn the same amount in a large class as long as you study. I have been in both 8 person classes and 150 person lecture classes at CU. CU is a great place. There are a ton of hiking trails nearby as well as a bike park and numerous other outdoor activities. Additionally, there are all sorts of people here. I have found Boulder to have a huge spectrum of people, which I find very interesting. It's always nice to refresh your perspective by talking to someone who has a totally different background and view on life. Also, if you like to party, CU is the place. There's always someone to party with and the bars are close by. Everything is close by actually so I rarely use my car unless I'm getting groceries. Boulder is extremely bike friendly and you can practically get anywhere with a bike.
There's my two cents, do your own research, know what you want, and go the school that has what your looking for. As I said though, education is relatively the same across all higher learning institutions and all that matters is how YOU apply yourself.
