<p>I got accepted into Purdue, GMU computer science engineering I am a Virginia resident. Is it worth taking loans for the degree in comp sci from Purdue when I can get it without loans at GMU? Please reply considering the prestige factor and the credibility of the program from both the universities. I am still awaiting the decision from Virginia Tech. Thanks!</p>
<p>Hi Sandy232. My son had a similar choice to make and ultimately decided he didn’t want the burden of loans. He chose to go to GMU for Compsci and has loved it and never looked back. He has now has more freedom to consider a graduate degree without the burdened of undergrad loans. </p>
<p>I don’t have a horse in this race, but I’m almost always in favor of saving money on u/g education. It’s not where you go but what you do! This is particularly true in CS as employers will be more interested in the skill set you’ve developed, your ability to work in a team, your internships, your familiarity with particular technologies–much more than the name of your school. Think of it from the employer’s point of view: student from Purdue without experience in Platform Z will need three months of training at my cost and time to bring upto speed OR student from GMU with 3 months of experience in Platform Z who can step in right now and cost me nothing. Which would you pick?</p>
<p>Thanks a lot bookmouse and jkeil911. Your replies make a lot of sense. I am still awaiting my decision from VT. I Don’t know if I will get into their engineering dept which is my first choice. I will re post my question once I hear from Virginia Tech.</p>
<p>Good luck with your choices, Sandy232. I have posted this link in another thread, but just in case you missed it, GMU ranked 6th in the US for return on investment for engineering students:</p>
<p><a href=“Online Engineering Degrees 2022”>http://www.affordablecollegesonline.org/best-colleges-online/engineering-colleges-roi/</a></p>