So, I have narrowed down my choices to the two mentioned universities. I want to major in CS. Being an international student it is impossible for me to visit the campuses and choose between the two. The total cost in both universities is bearable for me. Though Georgia Tech is slightly more expensive, the difference between the two is not significant. So could you guys please help me choose between the two by giving details about both the universities and their CS programs? I did my research but still I am confused. So this is my last resort now.
Did you get into CSE at UMN? Either program will be great, and both universities are in major metro areas. The universities differ mostly in size and people. UMN has about three times more undergraduate students overall than Ga Tech, and the students are pursuing majors of all types and are about 50/50 male female. Tech students are almost 70 percent male and pursuing tech degrees mostly.
@mommyrocks yes! I got into CSE…I noticed that georgia tech has less students which is a major factor for me. But I am more concerned about the quality of both the CS programs and their reputation in US.
I don’t know about how the CS reputations compare. Also rankings are mysterious. As for US News rankings of the universities overall, Ga Tech is ranked higher for US News National universities ranking list, but Minnesota is ranked higher on US News Global rankings of universities around the world. Four different global rankings of universities put UMN in the top 50, while only one puts Ga Tech in the top 50. But then when you start trying to measure rankings of departments and majors you get all kinds of other lists. Also within the US reputation varies. In the South around Atlanta Ga Tech is much more highly regarded, but up North near Twin Cities obviously UMN would be more known. I think it’s more reliable to go where you want to go, and choose the program and university that offers the kind of courses and experiences you are after. You can read about courses etc on the university websites. I wouldn’t place too much significance on the reputation in the US, since they are both awesome programs.
@mommyrocks Thank you so much! I really liked the threads system that Ga Tech has in place. Let me research both in more details. One thing I am not quite sure about. In UMN there is no limit to how many credits I take. The tuition remains fixed. However, I am not sure if the case is same for Ga Tech or if their tuition increases with increasing credits. Please let me know if you know about it.
Ga Tech charges a set tuition for undergraduate students like UMN. I agree that the threads approach at Ga Tech for comp sci seems very nice. It is comparable to the “track options” at UMN: http://www.cs.umn.edu/xml_handbooks/handbook.php?page=ugrad§ion=Upper%20Division%20Track&subsection=Upper%20Division%20Track%20Options&subsubsection=
@mommyrocks thank you so much for all your help. You are right. The thread approach is similar to the track system. There is another thing I am not quite sure about. UMN has its CS program under the college of engineering and Gatech has its CS program under the college of computing. can u tell me the pros and cons of having an entirely different college?
Actually UMN allows students to pursue a computer science major through either the College of Liberal Arts or through CSE (and CSE is of course more demanding and highly regarded). I’m not sure what the pros and cons might be otherwise. You might inquire at Ga Tech whether the recruiting and co-op options available to engineering students are also available to the students in the College of Computing. In other words, what opportunities are available to Computer Engineering students at Tech versus Computer Science students since they are entirely different departments. There may be more differences for that reason (good and bad), than at UMN, but that is all speculation. Just something to look into…
@mommyrocks this is a good point you make. I will email them tonight. Thank you so much for all your detailed answers.
Recruiting for co-ops, internships, and employment upon graduation is definitely available for GT’s College of Computing. Google the most recent career fairs held at Tech and check out how in demand CS majors are! In fact, you should look at who recruits at both schools, co-op vs internship programs available, rates of employment upon graduation, research options (if that interests you), professional clubs and organizations plus social opportunities, and make a comparison chart. You’ll feel better about your decision if you know all of your options going in. Good luck.
@treehuggermom Thank you so much!I will take in account all the factors you mentioned. I hope I make the right decision.
@devileng - you will make the right decision. My son was in the same position between GT, UIUC, and UT-Austin. he made a list of the pros and cons of each school and GT won out so that is where he’ll be heading in the fall. Going through that process really solidified his decision.
@treehuggermom He is going to GT as well? In case I go there as well we will be in the same batch. 
Thank you once again.