<p>My son is 17 and looking for a college or university with a good computer science or computer engineering department. He is also interested in the possibility of teaching computer science in high school. He plays football and would like to play football (level 2) in college with the possibility of one day coaching. We live in Ohio but we are open to an out of state college. how do we begin the search for a good college with these specifics or do you have suggestions.</p>
<p>Northeastern is the only university I know that has a separate college dedicated solely to computer science/information technology. Plus it has an excellent co-op program. (It's in Boston.)</p>
<p>All top engineering schools have decent CS/CE department.</p>
<p>In case your son has not been following the job market, the silicon valley and other tech centers are flooded with a glut of over-qualified, 15-20 yr industry experienced cream of the crop computer scientists and software engineers who could no longer find a job, or at least a job that's anywhwere close to their former gloried days. Many of them at now making ends meet system admin'ng at small IT shops or schools or take small, short-term contracts. It's good your son mentioned teaching as a possible goal. If he's happy with that then power to him. My main point is computer corporate career for university grads is not the draw they were, only a few years ago.</p>
<p>That has been our concern, but he i think he really likes the idea of teaching and coaching football. he has been doing a lot of Web design in school this year and is on the web team that manages the schools web site. He has really enjoyed this and I suspect this is the avenue that he will eventually go for. My thought was that any CS education he had would only enhance those skills. Am i off base?</p>
<p>We took a look at northeastern and that really looks a lot like what he would be interested in. I won't even mention how he liked the Huskies mascot. We have one. My concern is of course cost and distance. With work I'm sure those issues could be resolved.</p>
<p>To play football division 2, you need to be very good as it is still a scholarship level and thus the colleges will be recruiting those who are good enough for division 1. Playing division 3, which you will find at some tech schools is a much easier route because it is not a scholarship program. One of those that would ideally fit what your son is considering is Rose Hulman in Indiana, one of the best engineering schools in the nation and with a good division III football team.</p>