I got admitted to both of these schools and am very happy about it. I know both of these schools have respectable CS programs. I am so torn I know thay university of Wisconsin has the better CS program and the better opportunities but I am also in state for rutgers. Right now rutgers costs me 36,500 a year vs Wisconsin at 56,000 a year. Is Wisconsin worth the difference? How much better are the opportunities and how much better is the program itself?
Another question to answer is:
What’s 80k for your family?
Would you or your family have to go into debt?
Id definitely have to take loans for either one if these schools so probably
If you have to take loans for Rutgers, you can’t afford UW. PERIOD.
UW, while a great school and a great college experience isn’t worth
extra 80k in debt over a very decent (and underrated) university.
(with all the opportunities of NYC nearby)
US News ranks Wisconsin’s computer science programs #16 and Rutgers #41
https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/rankings/computer-science-overall
That is not a big difference.
I totally agree with @dimkin that it makes no sense to shell an extra 80K for Wisconsin.
I would even say that if you could go to NJIT or Rowan for much cheaper you should consider doing so.
I don’t know about the last 2. I don’t think you get a traditional college experience there.
But Rutgers is a well respected university globally.
You’ll get your share of commuters, but also
will get some of the traditional college experience.
There are pros and cons, but on the margin it’s a smart choice.
NJIT and Rowan are definitively not of the of same caliber as Rutgers for Computer Science (NJIT #104, Rowan #249) but if one can get in their Honors College with good merit (NJIT merit goes up to tuition and room) I think that the price difference is difficult to ignore (at least for families that would have to take a loan for Rutgers).
More info at on the Honors College can be found at:
How much can your parents afford from current income and savings?
If you do
(Tuition, fees, room, board) - (scholarships, grants) = $…
What’s the net price for each university you got into?
The nice thing about tech jobs is that there’s always a job that’s a match for you. Don’t worry about prestige, because you’re not going to need it. Go for the less expensive option and don’t look back. You’ll find a job, don’t worry.