Computer Science Salaries

College Search & Selection
1

<p>Hi there CC. Recently I've been looking at the average earnings for graduates from certain schools with strong Computer Science programs, some of which aren't very well known. All of them have very high salaries, both starting and mid- carrier. I'd like some help or some pointers on which college would have the most valuable degree. If you guys could just give me some more info on this, that'd be awesome!!
Alright, so here are the schools:</p>

<p>Stevens Tech: although not nationally recognized, it has a great co-op program, and is right next to NYC, where I hear it has a good name. However, I'm afraid the co-op would just give you a "temporary" boost: I checked the numbers (I'm a huge numbers guy, hence the CS) and stevens has a very high starting salary, but its total "average" salary is lower than some. Is this false about the Co-op program?</p>

<p>WPI- Apparently has a very good computer science program. It's location doesn't seem to be prime, but it has an awesome average salary.</p>

<p>RPI- Here's the big one. Salaries from RPI are astronomical, above CMU, but that's all from their engineering programs, and not their computer science.</p>

<p>NYU-Poly- Can't find too much on this one. According to CC members, it's inferior to WPI and RPI, but it has some pretty impressive numbers, and is still growing.</p>

<p>NJIT- just because.</p>

<p>How do these compare with each other? Are the Co-op programs at this school worth it in the long run, or are they just good for starting salaries, after which you would have been better off earning a Masters? And which degree is more lucrative for the future, Computer Science or Computer Engineering? </p>

<p>Thanks for this!! And if you would recommend any other schools, go right ahead!</p>

2

<p>CS (or a related degree ) is very marketable, but if you want to rise above a certain plateau, what usually makes the biggest difference in the long run is not your technical skill. It is the “soft” skills (team leadership, communications, understanding of the “business problem”, etc.) You need to learn how to analyze a client’s problem and present a clear, compelling solution in a 20 minute Power Point presentation or software demo. It must be something a non-technical decision-maker can understand. The ability to do this well is the difference between making a flat $80K, or making $160K and rising (adjust these numbers up/down depending on local market). </p>

<p>I can’t comment knowledgeably about these 5 specific schools, but try to take a long view when you compare their programs. Maybe NYU has great internship opportunities? That would be significant. You’ll have a huge advantage at graduation if you already have established a relationship with a firm by your 2nd year of college, if you’ve solved real-world problems for clients, or if you’ve delivered a few successful presentations at national conferences. Be a nerd who networks.</p>

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<p>The two are not mutually exclusive. Co-ops are a very good thing. They help get you in the door. Once you are in, start thinking immediately about that Masters degree (possibly at your employer’s expense, and before you get tied down with marriage and family).</p>

3

<p>I’m a MSEE, on CC as a parent, and hire/manage CS, EE and CE majors. I live and work in NJ.</p>

<p>Of the schools you list, RPI is clearly the most prestigious. I would think of NYU Poly as next, but perhaps that is just because it is more local than WPI, so I’m more aware of it, and have lot more experience with its grads. Not a huge difference IMHO among the rest, which are all solid schools. Since you’ve listed other NJ schools, I should also mention Rutgers as having solid CS/CE programs. Lehigh also has good engineering. If you are interested in co-ops, Northeastern is strong.</p>

<p>Between CS and CE, I think that CE is seen as harder, and will have slightly higher salaries. Differences are slight however, so you should follow whichever path you like better. You won’t have to choose between the two yet, I wouldn’t think. I think CE requires more math and physics, so it depends whether you like that or not.</p>

<p>As the above poster said, your career salary potential probably is based more of soft factors than anything else. </p>

<p>I don’t see co-ops and MS programs as mutually exclusive, and you could certainly do both. I think co-ops are helpful in finding your first job out of school, as employers like to see some work experience. After the first job, the co-op probably won’t make much of a difference. But if you have trouble finding that first job, that can have a many years impact.</p>

<p>An MS in CS or EE opens up certain career doors. You might also consider an MBA, after some years of work experience.</p>

<p>I would recommend to apply to a broad range of schools, with different levels of selectivity, and then once you know where you are accepted, you can figure out what school will be best for you.</p>

4

<p>Two very well thought out posts, thanks for your time :slight_smile:
It looks like Co-op might be the way to go. Internships are also an option. And you’re very right about not having to choose between CS and CE right now, though it really might help me choose what colleges I’d want to apply to if I could choose between the two. If I could go to a school that’s strong in both, I could always get a minor in one or the other, but, with CE being murderously difficult, I don’t think double majoring is an option :slight_smile:
Thanks again!</p>

5

<p>What is the difference between CS and CE?</p>

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<p>Appropriately enough, CE is a cross between CS and EE.
CS is mostly dealing with software and theory.
CE is mostly hardware.
My main motivation for CE is that I wouldn’t like my work to be completely dependent on someone else’s work. As in, I can program something, but if it wasn’t for a CE guy, there would be nothing TO program… and I hate that feeling of reliance.</p>

7

<p>Thanks for the clarification!</p>