Masters in Computer Engineering - UCSD or USC?

Graduate School
1

I’ve been recently admitted to both (Computer Science & Engineering - UC San Diego, Computer Engineering - U Southern California). I have trouble deciding which one I should pick, so I will lay out what I have discovered so far.

  • A little bit of background I received BS Computer Engineering from Purdue University. Being an out-of-nowhere campus, I am hardly able to land jobs that I really like doing. I ended up working for a traditional company in a tiny town. Although the money is really good and the technical challenge is just ok, I don't really have passion for my work and I hate the town I live in. So I set out my eyes to California looking for better opportunities.
  • Academic USC is private school, and according to startcollege.com it has lower student-to-faculty ratio. This means smaller classes, which I prefer.
  • Research I have designated my preferred research area in my Statement of Purpose, although I have no idea whether I could check which I'll be assigned to at the moment (or can I?)
  • Location LA has a ton of opportunities. San Diego is not as big, but still much better than my current town. USC campus, as far as I heard, is located in not-so-safe neighborhood. The nearest beach is 30 minutes of drive away on interstate. La Jolla, where UCSD is, lays along beautiful beach. Granted, as much as I like jogging along coastal lines and swimming, being enrolled in highly competitive graduate program means less time for such recreation. They also have modern architecture which I prefer, and great natural preserves.
  • Funding Funding is not an issue. I'm an international student. Even with higher private school's tuition fee, I am able to cover the first year with my own saving and my parents are willing to cover the second year's cost.
  • Start of Semester USC offered me summer start, which mean I can leave my job earlier.
  • Industrial Connection My guess is USC, being in LA vicinity, has wider connections. At this moment, I'm still split whether to continue with PhD or to return to industry.
  • Prestige I totally have no idea about this. But being Asian, prestige and rank are important factors.
  • Other options I haven't heard back from UT Austin, UCLA, UC Irvine, and Stanford. But having been rejected by Berkeley 1 month ago, I'm not expecting too much from Stanford.

Please help by voicing your opinions. I’ve been scrounging Quora for articles regarding UCSD and USC but couldn’t find something decisive to tip the scale.

Thanks beforehand.

2

IMHO, this is not really true:

I happen to know more people in the industry from UCSD than from USC.

Both are great schools. And I think you’ve done your homework comparing them. I’d prefer UCSD but that’s just a personal feeling; I can’t back it up with facts.

3

Hi gbudiman, I would be applying for masters in computer science for 2017 and I’m interested in most of the schools that you applied for. Would you be so kind to tell us your cumulative GPA, major GPA, GRE and any noticeable prizes that you had? I’d really like to know! Thanks in advance!

4

Also, I personally prefer USC over UCSD since I really consider big city a huge factor and USC has more diverse programs. Moreover, USC doesn’t require thesis (optional) or cumulative exam while getting the degree, and I think that saves you time from preparing for these two and spend more time preparing yourself for job opportunities.