<p>Hello,
I was admitted to UC Irvine's ICS Bren School early on Feb. (reg+chp) for Comp Sci. I also got into UIUC's Comp. Engineering.
Is ICS Bren School as good as UIUC's computer science/eng.?
If you guys were in my position (don't consider tuition), which college would you choose?</p>
<p>Hi there, I don’t know too much but I’ve had my sister and a few of her friends go to UCI for their computer science program and have been told that it is a very good program. Not to mention, they are doing very well with their current jobs. I believe UCI is the first university to have a dedicated computer science program. I can’t tell you anything about UIUC because I don’t know anything about that school. good luck!</p>
<p>I think UIUC is top 5. UCI is good but not top 5.</p>
<p>It also depends on where you want to start your career after college. If you plan to work in California, UCI will be an easy choice. If you prefer to work in the midwest, then UIUC will be better. Also I will consider finance as well since both are state schools that cost more for out of state students.</p>
<p>UCI might be the first UC to have a dedicated CS department, but it is not the first to have one in any meaningful sense-- such “stand alone” CS departments are very common accross the country.</p>
<p>As to UIUC, it is, as mentioned, top 5. However, the notion that graduates are more likely to get jobs in the Midwest is mistaken. I am an executive at a Silicon valley software firm (and a UIUC grad), and there are graduates of the school all over the valley(and in SoCal). Of course, many grads of UIUC may decide to stay in the Midwest for other reasons-- just like grads from MIT may decide to stay on the East Coast. Nonetheless, quality grads from both schools are in very high demand-- not surprising for top 5 programs.</p>
<p>All that said, the CS department at UCI is definitely up and coming, and is highly thought of nationwide. It also has the advantage (over the UIUC) of being located in a really nice area. Urbana-Champaign has its charms, but it really is an island in a sea of soybeans. It is a really long way to Chicago-- for better or worse.</p>