Rutgers CS vs University of Wisconsin CS

College Search & Selection
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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?

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Another question to answer is:
What’s 80k for your family?
Would you or your family have to go into debt?

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Id definitely have to take loans for either one if these schools so probably

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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)

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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.

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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.

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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:

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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?

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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.