Can you guys help me decide which is better?
PURDUE:
Pro:
-out of state (I want to go far for college)
-higher ranked in CS
Con:
-more expensive (I live in CA)
UC IRVINE:
Pro:
-Campuswide Honors Program
-In-state tuition
Con:
-In CA
Where do you want to go after graduation? Regional strength helps a decent deal in industry, so if you plan to go back to CA, there’s no need to go to Purdue and pay more.
How much more expensive? Purdue isn’t a huge name in CS that will make a big difference in outcome, so you’re really basically paying for getting out of CA. Any reason you want to get out of CA besides getting away from home?
Most signs here point to UCI to me, pending the above questions.
At first I wanted to go back to Northern CA after college because Silicon Valley but I think it really depends on whether I end up liking the environment in other states. So, where I go after college can’t help me since I’m pretty indecisive on where I want to go.
Neither UCI nor Purdue gave me the financial aid letter so based on just their websites: 33k for UCI and 41k for Purdue. I want to get out of CA for a new environment and because I’ve never really been anywhere else in the US, but I’m not sure how much weight I should give to that desire when deciding.
If you want to relocate to the midwest, pick Purdue. If you want to stay in California, choose UCI. You should check each schools NPC to get a more accurate figure than just the cost of attendance. As an OOS student at Purdue, you will need to add about $2000 extra in travel expenses too assuming that you go home on Thanksgiving, Winter, and Spring break. So the difference is around $40K total.
@TooOld4School I can’t believe I forgot about the travel expenses! Thanks for reminding me. I’ll definitely consider that.
Honestly, getting out of CA to go to a relatively isolated place in Indiana is not something I would choose personally let alone pay more money for. I do understand wanting to try something new, but you would probably be much better served making trips to other parts of the country over breaks with all the extra money you’d save. UCI is a well-respected program, especially in CA but really nationally, and you don’t really gain much from Purdue.
I see. I’ll admit, Indiana would not be my first choice in terms of exploring US anyways. Thanks for your input. I’ll consider UCI more unless I get significant financial aid from Purdue.