<p>Hey everybody! I am a senior and high school, and I am currently deciding between Virginia Tech, Binghamton, and Oxford-Emory campus. I am from New York so I would get in-state tuition for Binghamton. I am going to major in computer science and I love challenging myself, especially in programming. I took AP Computer Science Junior year, loved it, and this year I have been creating iOS and Android apps. At Emory's Oxford campus, I would end up with an Emory degree but after looking at their course list I question the rigor of their Computer Science department. Virginia Tech's computer science program seems to be phenomenal, however a degree from Emory could possibly be seen as more impressive. Binghamton is more affordable than the other two, and has a pretty good Computer Science program. Which should I choose and why??</p>
<p>Actually a degree in computer science from VA-Tech is better than one from Emory.</p>
<p>Virginia Tech-no comparison! Have you seen the campus. It is beautiful. It is simply an amazing place. And the computer science program is outstanding as are the engineering programs–something that is valuable if you decide to major in something different. The fact that Binghamton and VT have similar ratings overall on US News makes it seem like they are comparable. They are not! CS at VT is rated in the 40s while at Binghamton it is 110. But more importantly, you may end up liking engineering (VT is 16; Bing is 126) or computer engineering ( VT is 19 and Bing is 71). Why would you turn down VT which is known nationally for its computer science and engineering for Binghamton which isn’t at all? And for Emory, if you experience is not on the main campus then what is the point? If you have not visited VT I would advise you to at least do a virtual tour. In terms of all indices that are rated, VT leads Bing by a lot, Emory Oxford by a lot.</p>
<p>What’s the difference in cost and will you cover the difference in cash or via loan?</p>
<p>M</p>
<p>Binghamton is the best SUNY for business but its NOT the place to be at for computer science. </p>
<p>Choose between Emory and Virginia Tech. Emory is definitely a better college overall but its same as VT for computer science. Post the cost of attendance for all three and we will help you decide. I would probably choose Emory just because of its prestige and selectivity.</p>
<p>However, Emory’s computer science offerings are more limited, and many courses are not offered every semester.</p>
<p>[Math/CS</a> - Undergraduate classes, Spring 2013, Computer Science](<a href=“http://www.mathcs.emory.edu/classes-semester.php?subject=CS&year=2012&term=2&graduate=0]Math/CS”>http://www.mathcs.emory.edu/classes-semester.php?subject=CS&year=2012&term=2&graduate=0)</p>
<p>Also, it looks like Emory’s Computer Science I course is taught mostly by graduate students this semester (as opposed to the usual research university model of a faculty run lecture with graduate student run discussions and labs). It also looks like the CS faculty are mainly the lower ranking associate professors in the combined math and CS department.</p>
<p>Emory may have the highest selectivity and general prestige, but it probably has the weakest CS department. Also, if you start at Emory’s Oxford campus, the CS course selection may be even more limited (possibly only Computer Science I), so you may have to do a bunch of “catch up” after transferring to Emory proper.</p>
<p>If it matters (i.e. if you are considering going into patent law), SUNY Binghamton and Virginia Tech both have ABET accreditation in CS.</p>
<p>Va tech, hands down. They are so computer-committed, integrating technology into the classroom (broadly, too- not just engineering and cs!) in ways other universities simply have not. Gorgeous campus. Very connected alumni network. And as a technology manager who hires engineers - I can attest that ABET matters, too. Emory may have a good rep- but in the technical realm such as computers- VT has a better one.</p>