Better Career Prospects in India - UCLA or HKUST (Comp Eng.)

<p>I just got accepted to UCLA for Computer Science and Engineering.</p>

<p>Frankly, I am thrilled. I know UCLA is far more prestigious and that is where I would love to go.</p>

<p>But I am just wondering which would be a more sensible choice in terms of career prospects in India - HKUST or UCLA? And which one has better International recognition?
Moreover, now that China owns the world, would a HKUST degree carry more weight?</p>

<p>Also, going to UCLA would cost twice as much. I am just wondering if it is worth it. And with the UCs budget cut, do you think the UCLA brand value will go down in the coming years?</p>

<p>I know these are a lot of questions, but I am confused as hell!!! What would you have chosen - HKUST or UCLA?</p>

<p><a href=“https://career.ust.hk/upload/survey/f302-ExecutiveSummary_UG_2011.pdf[/url]”>https://career.ust.hk/upload/survey/f302-ExecutiveSummary_UG_2011.pdf&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>The median salary (13k HKD) a month is extremely sub-par for any reputable university. That’s a 22,000 USD annual income and thats assuming you get paid for the equivalent of 13 months, instead of 12 months, which is a practice slowly being phased out.</p>

<p>I look at other, perhaps less prestigious universities in the US than UCLA, such as NYU and George Washington, and they have average annual undergaduate incomes of over 45k and even 50k.</p>

<p>China does not “own the world” - far from it. America is still the dominating force and will continue to be for a few decades. </p>

<p>Go with UCLA. The experience is also much better - HK is a miserable place for a student (let alone a brown skinned student who cant speak cantonese…China is basically 50 times more racist than even the most run-down Southern ****hole in America)</p>

<p>You are quite right about the pay difference. I am expecting UCLA median salary to be around 55 - 60k.
But then, isn’t cost of living in California, MUCH more than cost of living in HK? Also, if I come back to India, which of the two would land me a better job?</p>

<p>What? I don’t even know what you just said. Most places in the US are cheaper to live in than Hong Kong. Things in America are extremely, extremely cheap compared to Hong Kong (unless you’re talking about things like street food). Cars, groceries, clothes etc etc are cheaper in America.</p>

<p>[Cost</a> of Living Comparison Between Hong Kong, Hong Kong And Los Angeles, CA, United States](<a href=“Our system cannot find city Hong Kong, Hong Kong neither Los Angeles, CA]Cost, United States”>Our system cannot find city Hong Kong, Hong Kong)</p>

<p>The only thing more expensive for UCLA would just be tuition, but imo that’s worth it.</p>

<p>Why do you want to come to India? Paying the fees in $ and earning in rupees doesn’t make sense.
It will only be fruitful if you get some experience over there and then maybe return back.</p>