I am an international undergraduate student and have been offered admission to the computer science programs at the University of Arizona and UT Dallas.
UT Dallas has offered me a $41000 scholarship per academic year and U Arizona has given me $35000 per year
The cost difference is easily affordable.
I can’t decide where to go.
Few things I want to consider:
1)Ranking for Machine Learning and statistics.
2)An environment conducive to academic study, I do not care much for greek life.
3)Average Salaries for people graduating from these schools
4)Research and job opportunities in these institutions.
5)Campus opportunities like Learning communities and other such things which will expand my horizons and enhance my learning.
6)Subjects apart from CS like Entrepreneurship and Statistics to Minor in.
7) Co-op opportunities where I graduate in 5 years instead of 4
I know Dallas is a huge tech City and UTD CS is funded by TI or something and Tucson is not that big but Pheonix is just an hours drive away and is a much bigger tech place than Dallas. I can’t gauge which of these two will offer more internship and research opportunities.
Above all, I want to be in a school which will make me grow by interacting and learning with and from smart people. (both professors and peers.)
If you are not interested in Greek life, football games, UC rejects from California, or worrying about where all the “bros” are going for spring break then I would choose UT-Dallas (UTD). UTD tends to attract students who are not interested in the stereotypical “big state school” experience and more interested in focusing on academics. Because of that, UTD will not have as much campus life as the University of Arizona. Almost all of the buildings at UTD are brand new so it looks like a contemporary office park. UTD is a sleeping giant that continues to quietly creep up the college rankings each year especially in majors in which you seem to be interested. UTD also has a large international student population if that matters to you.
I would not consider Phoenix a “much bigger” tech place than Dallas. You will be able to find all the tech jobs/internships you want in the Dallas/Fort Worth metropolitan area. Remember, the University of Arizona is in Tucson not Phoenix. You would not be able to take advantage of internships in Phoenix during the semester like you could at UTD.
The University of Arizona is a good school with a pretty campus and a vibrant campus life. I am sure UA would teach you what you would need to learn to be successful in your career. Nevertheless, UTD seems like a better fit for you based on what you seem to be looking for in a college.