Hi, I’m back. So, have a question. I need help compare prospects of going to CMU vs other Universities like (UVA, GMU etc for Comp Sc Engineering). In terms of class size, peer group, projects, future prospects etc. I very well know that CMU is top of the league and considered the best in the world, but it comes with the cost. Checking to see if an Under Grad degree from CMU is worth all the hype given the world we live. Appreciate all your thoughts and feedback. Thank you.
also, does going to grad school (Ivy) rely on this. If the kid goes to UVA for Undergrad, what is the chance comparing CMU for undergrad.
I can’t compare and contrast those, but others will. Only you can decide “worth it.”
I do question grad school and if you do go, why the fixation on Ivy? If you believe CMU to be the pinnacle, why “downgrade” for an advanced degree? Most CS majors don’t do graduate work BTW.
The Ivy League is likely the 3rd best sports conference in graduate level CS behind the PAC-12 and B1G.
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As the parent of a recent CMU grad in CS, I would say that that the name definitely opened doors to interviews, but it was my son’s abilities that got him his dream job. Some of that ability came from the depth of coursework at CMU and some came from his self determination to go above and beyond. CMU does not offer merit aid and uses the CSS profile so cost is definitely a consideration. Also, CMU is not for everyone. My son absolutely thrived there, but it is very demanding and the students are very driven. Most CS grads from CMU do not go to grad school (aside from the fifth year masters offered, which many actually accomplish in 4 years). They tend to work for Google, Facebook, and the top trading firms and make tons of money in high cost of living locations right out of undergrad. In the end, it really comes down to what is best for your student within your family budget. Does CMU provide an advantage…definitely. But how much that advantage is worth is really up to each family. For us it was a no brainer because it was literally the perfect fit for our son and we could afford it. Our younger son is also a CS major and is at a much lower ranked and less expensive school that is the perfect fit for him. He would be miserable at CMU. The actual course schedule for both boys is very similar but the environment (academic and social as well as location and size, etc) is totally opposite. Our younger son won’t have quite as easy of a time getting his foot in the door, but we are confident he will have options as long as he works hard.
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Is CMU worth the $? If you have to ask, then I would say no. If you have no financial limits, then go for it. You’ve got two good options for CS with UVA and VT. You can’t get better especially for the in-state costs (we’re in VA too).
There is no guarantee of success based on college choice alone. Better to find a good fit for your kid based on more important factors like program availability, culture, placement, etc., than prestige.
Both my kids graduated this year, one from a T20 school and one from VT. Both had very good experiences and both have really good jobs. We paid quite a bit more for the T20 (even with scholarships) but the program there was very specific and contributed to my kid being 110% engaged and committed. My kid who went to VT turned down other very good schools (including T25/UVA). VT culture and access to both a top engineering program (CS) and CMDA program were the decision-making factors, not prestige. I believe both my kids got good jobs because they genuinely enjoy their fields (and it shows) and they focused on getting the most from what their school/programs had to offer.
We personally know kids who graduated from very prestigious schools (Princeton, Berkeley, Johns Hopkins, MIT) and some work at one of the FAANG companies, but so do their peers who went to less prestigious schools like UAH. From what I hear, the kids working the FAANG jobs are making $, but it’s also not as enjoyable or as educational as they thought it would be. Purely anecdotal, of course, but just sharing those data points.
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As many have already told you, it is up to you to decide how much you want to spend, especially when you have excellent instate options. Hopefully, you have explained your budget to your child in advance of applications.
It’s also important to heed this advice. No school is for everyone. Every year students chase rankings and then they find out they hate the school they chose. They are in the minority, but it’s an easily avoidable mistake.
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Absolutely, CMU is not for everyone. My H is a CMU grad but it was not a good fit for either son. UVA and VT instate in engineering were better fits, socially and financially. Good luck!
so, the FAANG does not prefer grads from UVA or VTECH. I am more concerned about the distance than the cost etc, now with the omicron fears and COVID etc, trying to see if it really is worth all that. Also, how does the curriculum differ from UVA or GMU with CMU, what would be the class size, does colleges like UVA have less funding compared to CMU for projects. Where does the real difference is that makes CMU unique, is it the teachers that make the difference.
Have you/your S looked at the career outcomes reports on each school’s website? Beyond that, you can also speak directly with someone in each career center.
Each school’s website will show the course requirements for a CS major…look at those in detail and compare between schools. Don’t forget to look at gen ed requirements.
The common data set for each school will have % of class sizes in each range. Online course schedules will show individual course sizes…so pay particular attention to the size of each CS class.
There is so much info out there…it sounds like you are still asking the same questions you were 6 months ago.
Does your S have any acceptances/deferrals/denials yet? Any affordable acceptances?
He got in to Purdue, UVA(Rodman Scholar), UMD, VTech, VCU …waitlisted at Georgia Tech. He chose UVA, hope he will have fun
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Congratulations @ramshyam00 . If your son is anything like my son( who graduated years ago from UVA in engineering), he’ll have no problem having fun there! 
Thanks for letting us know his decision. Hope he has a wonderful time at UVA!