<p>Hello,</p>
<p>I got a dilemma - I got accepted into both the MS in HCII program at Carnegie Mellon University and the Human Factors & Ergonomics program at San Jose State University. I'm having a very difficult time choosing between the two programs.</p>
<p>My main concerns come from Money vs Reputation.</p>
<p>I would love to go to the 1-year program at CMU because I want to be an UX designer in the future, and the program is almost "perfectly designed" for that purpose. And it's arguably the best HCI program out there. However, it comes at a huge cost - about $90,000 if you count tuition + room and board.</p>
<p>On the other hand, San Jose State University is dirt cheap compared to CMU. The tuition for a whole year is only about $10,000, and because I am instate and can attend the program part-time, I can hold a full-time job with $130k+ salary while attending the program (which will probably be about 2 years). However, my concern is that it's the program is not as well-established, I will be taking fewer classes, and it's got more of a UX research rather than design focus.</p>
<p>On one hand, I want to land a UX design job after I graduate (this is my dream job), and CMU provides almost 99% certainty that will happen (I'm not sure if it's true for SJSU, and I don't want to regret later because I cheaped out now). But on the other hand, I feel like maybe the same can be accomplished just by going to SJSU, and I would rather save some money ($90k is a lot) knowing as an UX designer I probably will be making a lower salary than now.</p>
<p>I am very very torn. Any feedback?</p>
<p>That is a very specialized question. I would not like to be in your shoes (well maybe I would since you have the acceptances.) I think this is something you need to ask out in the field. To employers and people doing the job you are doing. I’d ask this on Quora for sure, as you are likely to find more people in that industry reading and posting. I can’t help but think the CMU is a really impressive credential to have. I know they are gods in this field, you will probably have some very good connections out of that program. But omg the cost is that high?</p>
<p>You’re not just saving $90,000. Remember also the opportunity cost - at CMU you will be spending money AND making nothing, whereas at SJSU you will be making $130,000. Also, your current position may be willing to pay for you to take classes - at least partially. So at CMU you are spending $90,000 plus losing the opportunity to earn $130,000, making the full cost of the program to you about $220,000. (I am, of course, assuming that you are already working and making $130,000/year, and that your high-paying job is flexible enough to allow you to pursue a master’s part time. If you are not, know that 1) that salary is extremely unlikely for someone with a bachelor’s degree, and 2) a job that pays that much may or may not be flexible enough for you to get a part-time master’s.)</p>
<p>You also can’t say that CMU gives you the 99% certainty of getting your dream job. Landing a good job, in most fields, is more dependent upon what you do in graduate school than where you go.</p>
<p>Go with SJSU. If you’re already working and getting related experience, that’s actually more valuable than the higher-ranking program to most employers.</p>