<p>I have the option of participating in the dual engineering program, where I can get a BS in computer science and computer engineering. I originally just wanted to get a Masters in computer science. Which option would be the best? I enjoy more software oriented side about computers that's what's I chose computer science at first, but would a BS In CS AND CE Be better than a MS in CS</p>
<p>I don’t know if you were planning a thesis-oriented MS in CS or a non-thesis version. A non-thesis MS in CS is basically taking graduate-level courses in the same areas as a BS in CS.</p>
<p>The following is just my $0.02…</p>
<p>I don’t know if taking graduate-level CS courses in the same topics as a BS in CS will give someone any more knowledge than actual work experience after the BS in CS. I mean TO ME…</p>
<p>Data Structures are Data Structures
Algorithms are Algorithms
Operating Systems are Operating Systems</p>
<p>I cannot see where a non-thesis MS/MEng in CS would give you any more than a BS in CS + real experience. I would use the grad degree on something like systems engineering, engineering management or maybe even a MBA.</p>
<p>But that’s me.</p>
<p>CS and CE have plenty of overlap and you’ll likely end up getting a CS job that will only utilize your CS skills. Especially since you mentioned you prefer software, the CE isn’t really necessary.</p>
<p>MS CS usually isn’t worth it unless your undergrad isn’t very well known and you can get admitted to a prestigious grad program (Stanford, CMU, Berkeley), in which case companies like Google will now look at your resume.</p>
<p>But as globaltraveller said, you generally take the same CS courses as you did in undergrad, just to a greater depth.</p>
<p>You mention you want a SOFTWARE job.</p>
<p>Having a CE degree in addition to a CS degree is useless. 100% useless (I am not exaggerating). CS deals almost purely with software, and is all the preparation you need for a software job. CE deals with hardware and some software that is related to hardware (firmware).</p>
<p>Also tell us what school you go to. In most cases, an MS in CS is also useless.</p>
<p>Case in point: You have two people, a Berkley/Stanford undergrad in CS making an average of 80k/year first year after school (same for both schools). You have someone who decides to do an MS, they will make on average 90k first year.
The problem is that an MS takes an extra year (assuming they coterm) and costs them 50k. </p>
<p>After 1 year, the MS student is down 50k (or whatever the tuition) and makes 90k/year.
However, the undergrad now has 1 year WORK EXPERIENCE. That experience will allow the person to pull a 10k raise, and they are making exactly the same amount as the MS student (and will be 50k richer actually)</p>
<p>And if the MS takes 2 years, its even worse of a deal.</p>
<p>However, depending on the school you go to, getting an MS at a top tier university may be worthwhile. (i.e. you go to undergrad at a low-ranked university, then an MS at a top 10 CS program might be worthwhile, but even then it is dubious whether 2 years is worth it).</p>
<p>I think a non-thesis MS in CS can be useful if you’re interested in exploring material you may not have covered in your undergrad curriculum (e.g. for whatever reason you never took AI/Machine learning-esque courses), or if you want to learn the cutting-edge. Personally, I intend to get some work experience first before doing grad school.</p>
<p>^Hm… the cost/benefit aspect really doesn’t pan out, though. Keep in mind you still have to pay lots of money for that masters degree…</p>
<p>Lots of companies will pay for a Master’s.</p>
<p>I have yet to discover a software company that pays for a masters in CS once you have already gotten a bachelors in CS.</p>
<p>Especially since the tech industry as a whole is much more meritocratic, and much less credential-driven than, say, consulting (where getting an MBA is really important and where some companies will actually sponsor you).</p>
<p>Microsoft and Google? We’ll see.</p>
<p>In terms of most federal government hiring, having an accredited MS CS is better than having an accredited BS. Whether you went to Harvard or a state university does not matter.</p>
<p>First, I have no idea about federal hiring practices, so you may be right. But the big pay is at private software firms, and the job is pretty stable too; it is easy to become a “career engineer” at a large company like Microsoft, where it is not as competitive anymore.</p>
<p>Like I said before, of course an MS boosts your earnings in general. But it doesn’t boost it enough to make it worth it.</p>
<p>My father works at Google. He told my brother (undergrad in CS) NOT to get a Masters because it was not worth it (and he had the option of getting a Masters in one year; most people have to go for two years).
And Microsoft and Google definitely do NOT sponsor an MS in CS. You are not going to learn anything more by taking extra classes. The best CS engineering education you can get is going to be work experience.</p>
<p>I could have sworn a recruiter told me otherwise. :</p>
<p>Ok, I may have been a little too strong. I may be wrong that they never sponsor masters. I just have never heard of it (but that’s a limited sample size for me).</p>
<p>The recruiter was for which company?</p>
<p>Google. I’ll check with them and confirm.</p>
<p>
Actually, the best pay is at defense contractors. Those entry level software engineering/network engineering positions that require a Top Secret clearance usually start at 100+k. Work/life balance is superb because of demand vs. supply. The sector cannot be outsourced at all.
Fortunately (for me) and unfortunately for others is that most of those who already have TS clearances come from the military.</p>
<p>I was under the impression that the big pay is at Facebook and Google (and Palantir), which pay 100k+, even up to 150k with bonus.</p>
<p>Furthermore, the BIG money is in stock, and you won’t get stock at a huge defense contractor, but you might get stock from a startup (but the dollar pay will be less). (i.e. Facebook several years ago)</p>