Hi,
How would you rate these different programs for CS. With the aid/scholarships being offered, the first three will come out the same and Rutgers comes in at about 12k less per year. Would your answer be different for a male vs a female student? Assuming the student is more focused on a job at present but may eventually go in for higher studies, which program would you recommend and why? Which has more prestige, better internships, better perks, better prospects at graduate school and better job offers. Which program prepares you best for a career in CS?
Maryland has the most clout for CS between all those. Whether it is worth it may depend on your finances/preferences.
@lovelyiris, Northeastern’s is usually a 5-year program, with students doing 2 6-month co-ops. That may put NEU’s cost higher since odds are you’ll be on co-op somewhere near Boston - which is expensive.
With a major like CS – one that will lead to a good job – the decision doesn’t have be “which is better” (because they’re all are) but which one do “I LIKE the most.” Where do you think you’d be happier for 4 years (or more) ? Congratulations on four very good choices.
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@katliamom A CS co-op in Boston will cover well over the cost of living. If anything that will reduce the cost. Plenty of CS co-op’s are also in other cities, though similar COL.
Generally, you’ll do fine at any of these. Maryland and Northeastern would be the most known on the academic side and both fare well in jobs. Of course the biggest difference between these is Northeastern’s co-op program, but again outcomes will not be greatly different given the state of the CS job market and the general quality of all four of these.
If money is very important, Rutgers is probably your best value, but if not I think Maryland/Northeastern may be worth the relatively small price difference if it’s not loans paying for the difference.
Absolutely consider fit here as well as these environments certainly vary.
As a Northeastern CS student I couldn’t recommend it more, but fit preferences are different for everyone. Happy to answer any questions! If you’re interested, here is an essay that goes into depth on Northeastern’s CS program and how it differs:
http://www.ccs.neu.edu/home/matthias/Thoughts/Developing_Developers.html
@PengsPhils I’m aware that co-op in Boston will cover well over the cost of living, but it should be something to be kept in mind if finances are an issue. (A traditional 4-year program in a less expensive area will cost less than 5-years of Boston prices even with co-op earnings.)
I’m glad you’re enjoying NEU and your co-ops. My daughter graduated from Northeastern and liked it too.
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OP is already using the net prices (including COL) in the original post though. The comparison relies on FA, tuition, scholarships and other costs factors all being equal. Those are all factored in already by looking at total COA for all options.
Thanks for your replies! We attended the Honors Welcome Day at NEU this weekend and were favorably impressed by the school. They have recently received a $50 million endowment for the School of Computer Science. Everything we saw about the Honors college and the coops was good. Need to know how Maryland would be different given the scholars program. How easy is it to get the courses you want? How much do they support study abroad and global coops etc. what about Achreyer? They only accept 300 kids each year and give them tons of perks. Have to visit their Schreyer college day. Anyone who can speak to these?