<p>I have been accepted at both of the above schools for computer science. I have no doubt that my overall happiness and career options after graduation would be good at Rose-Hulman, and would love to go there. Where I do have doubt, however, is whether or not I would be unhappy enough at Delaware (the cheapest option) to make Rose's higher tuition (25000 more per year) worth it.</p>
<p>I would probably do best in a more nurturing atmosphere, prefer the company of nerds, and would like to avoid the partying types. Not getting into the honors program at Delaware makes the above more difficult. Also, I am not planning on going to grad school (or hoping not to have to), which makes me think I should try to get the best undergrad education I can... but is the 'best' really worth it for computer science?</p>
<p>My biggest concern is whether or not going to UD will put me at a drastic disadvantage when trying to find a job after graduation. Even if I do find employment, is it more likely to be in a position in which I have to work my way up before being able to finally do what I set out to do, or as, say, an entry-level software engineer right away?</p>
<p>My parents seem willing and able to support any of my choices financially, though they haven't truly given me a straight answer about their ability to do so.</p>
<p>Oh, I'm also looking to pursue music as an extracurricular or perhaps a minor. Rose has a music program and offers a minor, but UD's is almost certainly larger and probably more serious.</p>
<p>Other schools at which I have been accepted:
Case Western - appealing because of the location and music programs, although even among the positive reviews I've read I don't sense the same adoration that I sense in Rose students. Since Case and Rose are about the same cost, I'm inclined to pick Rose over it.
WPI - seemed nice when I visited, but I'm slightly scared off by it's low USNWR engineering ranking.
Waterloo (ON) - supposedly a very good co-op program, but is a very large university and the international tuition makes it somewhat expensive (though less so than Rose).
Queen's (ON) - about as cheap as Delaware for me, but the quality and prestige of their CS program is an unknown factor to me.</p>
<p>Anyway any thoughts on where I should go?</p>
UDel is a much nicer campus. Plus, most kids change majors; being larger if you want to change out of CS UDel offers many more options.</p>