I’m a New York resident just admitted into these three colleges for computer science. Right off the bat, UIUC is easily the strongest computer science school out of these three universities. That said, I have to pay around 40k a year with 32k in parent loans for UIUC, whereas for NYU Poly I only have to pay about 9k a year. For Northeastern, I have to pay a small amount also (something like about 8k a year). I was admitted into the honors program at UIUC.
So my question: Is it worth paying all the extra money for an extremely high level of education at UIUC? I’m not sure how cs at Northeastern and NYU Poly are, but I do have to pay significantly less to go to those schools. But I now that UIUC is known for it’s high return on investment. Any advice?
120K in parent loans is insane. Don’t do that to your parents!
So the real question is: NYU POly vs. Northeastern. Did you get into the HOnors program at either one?
The 8K or 9k: is that once you’ve subtracted scholarships and grants but not loans? Look at your financial aid package.
I didn’t get into the honors at either one, and I subtracted only scholarships and grants. So loans are included within the 8k and 9k. Essentially I would have to play close to nothing.
Okay then. CONGRATULATIONS!!! 
They must really want you ;D
Email both NYU and Northeastern to see if one of them would consider you for Honors (cite your stats and the scholarships you won at their university). It’s strange they offered you so much money but not Honors.
All things being equal, I’d pick NEU since the co-ops can be quite useful in netting a job and they’re not too difficult to find if you’re in CS. In addition, you’d be in Boston, a GREAT town for college students.
All things being equal, I’d also pick Northeastern due to the Co-Ops.
In your case, I’d probably recommend Northeastern. That figure for UIUC, almost all loans, is just too high to justify. Computer Science programs aren’t that significantly different, and what edge you may lose in recruiting at UIUC, you can make some gains with the co-op experience at Northeastern.
I’d take MYOS’ advice re: honors inquiries. And perhaps even further: if you’re not at first admitted, keep trying. Maybe after first semester / year, it may become possible, if not now. And if you’re admitted honors at UIUC, you’d probably be eligible for honors elsewhere.
Between NEU and NYU-Poly, I’d take NYU-Poly.
You can find a job by yourself instead of through co-op (where you’d have to interview for jobs anyway), and NYC would offer more opportunities than Beantown.
I would beg to disagree with @PurpleTitan – in the field of computer science, other than Silicon Valley (CA), I think Boston has more career opportunities than NYC in that field. (NU coops are structured for training students better than most part-time jobs in college and graduates come out with 18 months of true work experience which is valuable in our field. Most companies would hire a new graduate with that much co-op experience over those without.)