<p>My son was accepted into Carnegie Mellon and Columbia for computer science. I know CMU has a much better reputation but Columbia has offered a huge amount of financial aid whereas at CMU he would graduate with a substantial amount of debt. Is CMU worth the debt or is he better off at Columbia where he practically has a free ride?</p>
<p>There is no school on the planet that is worth substantial debt. He will be just fine at Columbia.</p>
<p>Tough spot to be in (not).</p>
<p>Columbia is a great school, overall stronger than CM. (CM has certain departments that are stronger, and it too is a great school, don’t get me wrong.) Go to Columbia and don’t look back.</p>
<p>CMU is ranked #3 by US News, and Columbia is #16. The Employer Reputation Score is 79 vs 81 (slightly higher). I would say that Columbia is fine.</p>
<p>[World’s</a> Best Universities in Computer Science; Top Computer Science Schools | US News](<a href=“http://www.usnews.com/education/worlds-best-universities-rankings/best-universities-computer-science]World’s”>http://www.usnews.com/education/worlds-best-universities-rankings/best-universities-computer-science)</p>
<p>Is he at all considering Grad School? If so, doing CMU Grad School would be a great goal.</p>
<p>“practically a free ride” wins. He should go to Columbia.</p>
<p>Columbia wins in this case. CMU is known for CS, but what if your kid changes his mind about CS. Columbia is better for its overall curriculum and it is much cheaper.</p>
<p>Dude. Yes. Columbia. As an interviewer and business owner, I would not care where your son went to school, between Columbia and CMU. If he wants to go to CMU, tell him to go there for his masters degree, and have CMU pick up the tab for that.</p>
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<p>Columbia is more of a well-rounded university whereas CMU top strengths are mainly in engineering/CS and the Dramatic Arts. </p>
<p>If finances aren’t a factor and the student in question is obsessed about CS and loves hardcore STEM nerd campus culture, I’d give the nod to CMU as it’s CS department is considered tippy top alongside MIT, Berkeley, Caltech, and Stanford whereas Columbia’s is slightly lower. </p>
<p>However, since finances are an issue, agree with most and tell him to enjoy Columbia. </p>
<p>Out of curiosity, was he admitted to SEAS or the College? One can major in CS in either school.</p>
<p>There is absolutely no reason to take on debt when you have a free choice in Columbia.</p>
<p>You can probably get a higher paying job by 10-15k but it will still take you 10-20 years to pay off college debt even with the higher income.</p>
<p>Talk to CMU financial aid department! Tell them what Columbia is offering.</p>