Great question @tsbna44. This likely warrants its own thread since the assumption that “it’s all the same” comes up often on these forums. But I’ll respond briefly, adding to what @ucbalumnus said, as the answer may be useful to OP as well.
CS programs vary in:
- breadth (range of courses available, especially in less common/popular areas)
- depth (how rigorous courses are)
- style (from math/theory heavy to application focused)
- opportunities (for research, funding, collaboration with other departments and schools, co-ops/industry engagement, etc)
- outcomes (some schools are recruiting targets for certain firms, have a location advantage, or have better graduate program outcomes).