<p>In CS, all schools teach “the basics” but not all schools teach and enforce modern software engineering principles. This matters a lot to employers (the smart ones anyway). Sure you can code, but can you make good design decisions? Can you refactor? Are you schooled in OOP design patterns? Agile development or other styles? Have you used prevalent versioning systems? Do you work in teams well?</p>
<p>It’s been my experience that schools that put CS in the engineering college are more likely to teach these things.</p>
<p>Interesting data. I still wonder if the average incoming freshman at many of these schools aren’t more educated than the same students 5/10/20 years ago. I know that Ohio State when I graduated (1982) had an average ACT of around 21. Today it’s closer to 27. That would indicate to me that higher grades would be expected. I guess it will suck to be my D she’s going to Purdue:)</p>
<p>frugaldoctor says: ““Where should a student attend engineering school?” In her experience, she found many of the state universities produce great engineers. The two that she stated were University of Michigan and Alabama. Trust me, Alabama was a big surprise. But these were 2 of many schools.”</p>
<p>My son choose Alabama for CS/math over more prestigious schools. Glad to hear the engineering program has respect of a recruiter.</p>
<p>I believe that school prestige is always going to a be a factor that people will use as a validation of one own value. I do believe that bright kids will always shine no matter where they study, and as much as we want to believe that information is something proprietary, the reality is that it is not. Information is fluid and it is diffusing itself more and more with the advance of technology and globalization.</p>
<p>Again, don’t be afraid to call an engineering recruiter or HR professional and ask them. You are going to spend thousands of dollars, hours of studying and many ups and downs. Do your homework and go beyond CC and USNWR.</p>
<p>frugaldoctor, I contacted a HR rep of a well known software company in my area. I gave them the list of schools my son was considering which were all “Tier 1” but ranged in USNR from about 40 to about 199. The response was they were all fine schools and the company would gladly consider candidates from each of them.</p>
<p>I also spoke with employers of graduates of the lower ranked schools, and they were pleased with their hires and heartily recomended the schools.</p>
<p>The demand for CS / most engineering majors is so great that I really don’t really think it matters much where you go to school. I think it’s more important to have good intern/co-op experiences.</p>
<p>I think that I am missing something here as I do not equate LSU with prestige? Where did you see that LSU is ranked highly in undergraduate engineering?</p>
<p>Riprorin: nice to hear how consistent the advice has been. Tuition has gone through the roof and what has been very consistent with prestige is a high price. Nice to know that we have less expensive options to consider with job outcomes equal to the prestigious institutions.</p>
<p>Actual dinner conversation last night at our house was my husband’s need to quickly bring in 3 additional software developers for a long term contract for a newly approved project. Fortune 100 company, heavy use of off shore contract software developers who have the technical skills mentioned here previously. Never once did academic prestige enter the conversation. What he really wants to find are local employees who have industry specific knowledge and experience, who can work well in teams with both technical and non-technical folks and who can handle some degree of independent problem solving. CS majors should be aware of the heavy influence of off shore software development and find some additional “something” to make themselves more valuable in the job market. Does that involve a prestigious school? No, not really. More important is hands on experience via co-ops and internships, a focus within a specific industry of interest and some balance outside of academics to provide outside the box problem solving and people skills.</p>
<p>The important question is not whether or not a more prestigious college will lead to more money or a better job - all else held equal, it will.
The real question is whether or not it’s worth the extra money. Almost certainly the answer is no.</p>
<p>What kind of engineering do you plan to study? My DS got his engineering degree from Tulane, was well educated, had good internships and is happily employed. Yay.</p>
<p>Good point NeoDynium. I just didn’t want to go the typical route and go to a sub Tier 1 school look everyone I know. All the brothers I know who have engineering degrees have gotten them from Southern A&M (an HBCU). Everyone else, has gotten it from either UNO or ULL. So, I’m just wondering if I should just settle for a a lower Tier school or go hard and give Mississippi State, LA Tech, or LSU a shot.</p>
<p>Depends on the money IMO.
A significantly better school is worth maybe $10,000 more tuition over the course of 4 years. No amount of prestige is worth $200,000 more debt.</p>
<p>Outside of the extremes I don’t think prestige matters all that much. Obviously an Ivy league school is going to benefit from it’s prestige but I don’t t think it matters once you get you out of super duper elite tier schools in your field.</p>
<p>I have guided my oldest daughter since birth to excel academically, athletically, and in the qualities which would help her gain admission to a prestigious engineering school, medical school, and then neurosurgery residency (her goal). On further examination of the projected cost, I realized this was financially insane. I work with very successful physicians who attended state schools throughout and practice in small cities. They are exceptionally successful. Sometimes earning double to triple what their cohorts earn in the larger cities while achieving a level of happiness that is truly envious. I hope that your choices are well balanced by your intended goals. Personally, I had an abrupt change in my philosophy. I guide my daughter to continue her level of achievements, but do so at the minimum cost possible.</p>