Hi everyone,
I’m trying to make a choice between NYU CAS, USC Viterbi, and Northeastern CCIS. I like how Northeastern has a school just for computer science instead of having a CS department in the engineering school or the arts and and sciences school, and how the school offers so many different CS majors. The co-op program sounds beneficial, and it’s nice to know that I will graduate with at least a year of work experience, but I’m not too sure whether I want to spend 5 years just to get a Bachelor’s degree (the 4-year option sounds rushed). On a whole, Northeastern is also less known and not ranked as highly as the other two schools, although it is rising quickly. Can we really compare prestige between these three schools though? Are the coops worth it?
I’ve read about how the social life at NYU is not as good as the social life at USC because NYU doesn’t have a campus. Is this really true, or, if the student is willing to put himself out there to make friends, then the no campus factor isn’t a problem at all? USC is known for its great weather, school spirit, strong alumni network, and also its nice campus. However, while I want to experience the traditional college experience (which I can get at USC), I also want to go to NYU and live in NYC.
Overall, I just want to know which school is the strongest in computer science. If I want to combine pure computer science with say, something like interactive media or cyber security, which school would be better for that?
Would getting a BA at NYU CAS instead of getting a BS like I would at USC Viterbi make a difference in the future when I apply for jobs? Is a BS better than a BA? I also don’t think the CS at NYU is accredited… is that an important factor to consider?
Please give me your opinions and thank you in advance!
What’s your parents’ budget and how much does each cost if you count (tuition, room, board) - (scholarships, grants)?
I would choose between USC and Northeastern. Both would give you a different experience but both would be worthwhile.
BS or BA makes no difference - BA just means more electives and a couple more gen eds.
@MYOS1634
Thank you for your opinion! Would you mind explaining why you think I should choose USC or Northeastern though? Why not NYU?
Can you provide costs as explained above?
USC is in California so good for cs-related subjects and projects, plus the state has recovered from the recession and is in a good place right compared to others.
Northeastern because co-op opportunities are excellent and If you’re worried about jobs or practical applications it’s a good way to learn.
If you want to live in NYC, better do it when you’re making money so you can enjoy the experience 
I made the same choice of NYU / NEU, and after touring / researching both I think that NEU is by far and away a better CS program. I can’t say about USC, but pending costs I would cross off NYU. CS at NEU is the real deal, and the co-ops IMO are worth the extra year or so. Keep in mind, you can also do 4.5 years and graduate around the new year. There’s not a binary between 4 and 5 years. So, you could do the 4 year option with an extra semester if you wished.
As far as reputation, NEU is well known enough at this point to be considered with the bigger dogs, and by graduation I wouldn’t think there’s much of a difference. They could be in the Top 30 by then, and every gain they make after your time there still benefits you. I would choose based on the programs and preferences rather than the prestige here.
@MYOS1634 @PengsPhils
The costs are pretty similar. The coops do sound beneficial, but can’t I get a similar experience doing internships? I know coops are longer, full-time paid jobs, so I’ll end up getting more experience doing coops than mere 2 month internships, but my parents don’t like the idea of me going to college for 5 years just to earn a Bachelor’s degree. At Northeastern, I also won’t really be getting summer vacation breaks because of the co-ops.
So out of the three schools, NYU would be the weakest for computer science?
Does anyone else have other opinions?
You won’t be getting summer vacation breaks anymore - perhaps 2-3 weeks but that’s it, the rest of the time starting after sophomore year you’ll be expected to work/have an internship/do something valuable full time.
After freshman year often it’s just a basic job.
Yes, I believe that out of the 3, UWA is the best for CS, and NYU is the weakest.
Yes you can use internships, and they won’t be too hard to get at any college, but NEU has the resources to make life easier for finding internships. In addition, 50% of students get full time job offers from their co-ops upon graduation. You can’t say that about internships.
What’s the rush to get out? Why is an extra year bad if you aren’t paying any more for it?
As MYO said, Summer breaks would be taken up by work anyways if you went the internship route.
All that said, USC is very good as well academically from what I know, though I am not familiar with their CS specifically as I am with the other two. Again, I would love to get a USC CS opinion from someone in this thread.
@MYOS1634 Did you mean USC instead of UWA?
@MYOS1634 yeah, did you mean USC instead of UWA?
@PengsPhils
I guess I’m not too interested in the 5-year option because, if I’m going to be working anyways, I could graduate and find full-time work instead of going on a co-op.
The difference is essentially easing in and more employment opportunity. The part you glossed over in your plan is “find full time employment work”. While you will be well off at all 3 options, especially for CS, co-op lets you build your experience to be more employable at graduation, meaning a better chance at a higher starting salary with your experience. In the long run, it’s one year of your life. You can shorten that to even less if you graduate in December/January, making your missed time 4 months / one semester.