IU vs Wisconsin For Computer Science

Live on east coast and son has narrowed college choice down to IU and Wisconsin. Intended major is computer science. IU has offered some merit money, so would be a little cheaper. Both schools have pros and cons, so just looking for any reason to pick one over the other at this point.

I made this choice 2 years ago after visiting both schools and still know people attending UW Madison.

CS Programs…probably Wisc by a nose, but not my major so YMMV

Campus… IUB without question. A visit sells itself.

Weather… IUB easily, walking up that UW hill in snow… not fun and a good 15-20 degrees colder all winter. Fyi, I grew up in Chicagoland, so not afraid of winter, but loving milder IUB climate.

Social… nice lake at Wisc, but friendlier Folks at IU and true college town without state capitol traffic cutting campus in half.

Wisconsin’s governor continues to cut funding to university system, so your OOS tuition will continue to rise. They have also fallen in rankings while IUB has risen.

Easy call for me then and now.

@Route98. We are in the same situation! We live on the east coast and my son is torn between IU and UW, but has different academic interests (International Studies and foreign language). He toured both schools last spring and preferred UW. However, he has gotten some really nice incentives from IU–honors college, merit money. It appears that IU has larger programs in his interest areas, but larger doesn’t necessarily equal higher quality. Such a tough decision to make. We will attend accepted student days next week at both schools. Hopefully, that will bring some clarity. Good luck to you and your son!!!

@IUBOOS. Do you know anything about the School of Global Studies or Turkish Language program at IU?

@Candlewoodgal Sorry, but I don’t know anyone studying Turkish or much about the Global Studies programs. The students I have met from that program have all been very intelligent. The brand new SGIS building is very nice.

Enjoy your visit to IUB and feel free to wander around without the guides. Ask anyone you meet questions and I have no doubt you’ll get good info. My visit to IUB sealed the deal for me after touring 4 other schools.

Totally, University of Wisconsin for computer science. They have better opportunities.