<p>I am planning on transferring into a computer science program. </p>
<p>I have looked over private colleges, like NYU-POLY and USC and the prices are kinda devastating, but I know the investment would be well worth it.</p>
<p>However, I want to have my cake and eat it too. I am looking into relocating as well; meaning, if I find a school elsewhere, I plan on staying at that state first. </p>
<p>I live right by the city (Manhattan) so that is why I was looking into NYU-Poly and I already have a decent affiliation with them, but I feel iffy about the costly tuition they advertise, and the sheer notion that NYU will incorporate them a year from now and change their name to NYU School of Engineering would most likely lead to some major changes that I also feel wary about.</p>
<p>Here are the specs I am looking for:</p>
<ol>
<li>Transfer friendly</li>
<li>Has a good faculty and focus on undergrad computer science majors</li>
<li>Affordable (taking into account: scholarships, tuition (in-state vs. out-state)).</li>
<li>Strong networking community</li>
</ol>
<p>So far, my search has led me to University of Washington Seattle</p>
<p>Also, I prefer something in either the West or East coast. I would rather not be in one of the middle states. </p>
<p>I have heard plenty of Stony Brook here and there, how do they stand in the computer science field? In what parts of computer science do they have a strong focus on? (I am looking for artificial intelligence or graphics)</p>
<p>I checked the net price calculators for some of the schools, and again, I feel kinda lost because I don’t know which would account for the loans. I know in the package, it comes with loans already, but the leftover price means more additional loans.</p>
<p>Best value schools will be your instate public schools (In your case I’m guessing the SUNYs) and if you qualify for generous financial aid: Privates with great financial aid (not NYU).</p>
<p>Note that PINYU appears to have better financial aid than NYU. But that leaves open the question of which financial aid policies will prevail when the merger is complete.</p>
<p>Also, CS is a major offered at both PINYU and NYU, so how that will be affected is something you would need to ask the schools.</p>
<p>Regarding SUNY Stony Brook, I had considered it for my son but have heard that its more of a commuter school or that students clear out on the weekends. Since we’d be OOS, my fear is that it would get very lonely on the weekends. Is this a valid characterization of Stony Brook?</p>
<p>I would check out New Mexico Tech. It is cheap, it has good CS, especially IT security, it gives undergrads a lot of attention, and the faculty are top notch. With Los Alamos nat’l lab nearby, there are a lot of industry/defense connections. The downsides are Socorro is a rundown little town in the desert, and they have a hard time drawing top students, largely because Socorro is a rundown little town in the desert. They end up accepting a lot of mediocre students, let the cream rise, and then end up flunking out a lot of what is left. For a good student, focused on a good education, it is an amazing opportunity and value. Pick your priorities. My son could not imagine living in Socorro.</p>
<p>My father currently resides in California, and that had me thinking about attending UCLA. And since I am under 24, I might qualify for in-state tuition at CA because my dad lives there. And again, I plan on living in the state with the college of my choosing. So say if I decide to go to Stony Brook, I will not hesitate settling in Long Island, New York. </p>