PSU vs FSU for Information Systems Technology (specifically Cyber Security)

College Search & Selection
1

My S is accepted to both schools which are both OOS for us. We visited PSU and he loved the campus and the program and pretty much feels that PSU has the best program versus other schools we visited. We never visited FSU and the only reason that was on his list is because it is in warmer weather (I don’t believe a person should just pick a college because of the weather). We are from New York so he hates the cold but doesn’t go outside much anyway because he is a computer/gamer nerd? and stays pretty much indoors even during the summer months.

So, would it be worth spending the money to see FSU? Just hate to visit another college if there is no reason to go. We have spent so much visiting GA,TX to find that the best choice so far is only a state away from us.

TIA

2

Well if he likes Penn state why add another choice? Might confuse him… having this issue with my son… both are great schools …

3

Do you mean Florida State Tallahassee, a very old established public school, or U of Southern Florida, in Tampa, which is a much newer school, founded in 1956, with a bachelors in cybersecurity?
I would consider his second choice very carefully. Since both are not in state SUNY schools, it pays to check them out since he has good financial offers.

Another option is to simply let your son choose, based on information he gathers about Florida versus Pennsylvania.

Florida and Atlanta have a lot more jobs than Central PA, although he may be likely to come back to NY State./NYC/NJ if he attends Penn State.
Penn State has a very good reputation by and large, but Florida has invested a lot in its public education system and it is up and coming.

He may find different things of interest in Florida, and meet different types of people, and stretch more by
going to college further from home. He might learn to go outdoors, for instance, since so many kids there
will be going outdoors. He might develop an interest in marine biology, or the environment , or climate change
by going to school in Florida.

Penn State is dominated by students from PA/NJ/NY so more familiar to him, similar students to him Florida will tend to be students of various backgrounds, many immigrants from SE Asia, many African American students, and many students from the Caribbean etc, in Florida, and very very diverse, if you are talking Tampa, its got 41% African American and Asian Americans combined.

What matters to your son? Does he want to be a short drive away from home? Can you afford the airplane rides
and might you enjoy visiting Florida too, over the next four years?