So I choose to attend Penn State UP as a CS major. A couple of my classmates, however, are attending Pitt for CS and tried to convince me that Penn State was simply a party school with less respect in the industry than Pitt. Is there any truth to their claims? I realize that Penn State has recently been in the news because of the frat incident and was always known as having somewhat of a party atmosphere, but would a degree from Penn State be labeled as something less valuable than one from Pitt for comp sci? For reference, I am a very hardworking student but could not attend my top college choices (RPI and Lafayette College) due to financial inability.
Thanks for any help 
There will always be a place at Penn State for studious people who aren’t interested in partying. I am one 
Check out the list of clubs (http://studentaffairs.psu.edu/clubs/) and note the stuff like the literary magazine, the book club, the eSports / gaming teams, math club, etc. Lots to do besides partying. And the degrees are respected, especially in engineering (I think CS probably counts).
No reason to listen to people who badmouth any school besides their own.
@sphericon
I don’t know whether Penn State or Pitt is better. The thing about CS is that employers don’t care where you went. They care a lot about what you can do.
Make the most of your opportunity and the school name will not matter. Get involved in clubs, do some volunteer coding, take rigorous courses, and work to become a strong programmer. I suggest taking CS in engineering if you can because the extra math will help. Get Cracking The Coding Interview by McDowell if you want to know exactly what you need to know to get a great job.
I view the two as peer institutions and if you preferred Penn State then you made the right choice. Both schools are large enough that they will both have their share of partiers, studious students, and everything in between. Go to Penn State, work hard, find friends you want to spend time with, get involved on campus, and you will be just fine. Stop second guessing yourself and move forward.
^ Completely agree.
They are pretty different environments, so I can see how one would be far more attractive to a person than the other. Both are big enough that you can be certain your tribe is there. You’ll be fine! Enjoy the experience.
Thank you all so much for your replies!
@Much2learn I am taking CS in Engineering.
@bodangles I definitely plan to get involved in as many clubs and activities as possible.
I’m obviously pretty stressed about the decision, but I’m now ready to work hard nonetheless and make the most of opportunity
Pitt and Penn State are major rivals. At my son’s high school graduation party, there was a big argument between fans of the two schools–between my son’s best friend who was heading to Penn State and friend’s parents who were Pitt grads. Both are great schools. Get used to the rivalry; it will continue and escalate.
PSU has been a strong favorite of job recruiters for many years.
The difference in your future is not going to be which of these you attend. It is going to be what you do in school. If you study enough to get good grades and take part in internships (or even better, a coop) then you will have plenty of good jobs to choose from. Your HS friends are not a good source of information on the hiring practices of industry, their representations and beliefs notwithstanding.
Why are you listening to a bunch of 18 year olds?