Any advice between these two schools if cost is not an issue…much appreciated for any help from you guys!
UMass Amherst is ranked higher than Penn State for at least graduate CS, and esp. with AI technologies (USNews). Both have a good amount of research. Penn State is a much bigger school with a bigger name, and higher ranked and better known as a national university. Many Penn State rankings by Niche look a little better – other than food reviews, where UMass shines. Penn State has bigger athletics and a bigger Greek/party life (and some scandals around both), but has slightly lower/wider GPA and SAT stats (including within STEM/Engineering).
Both are somewhat remote college towns (depends on your location), but UMass has the Five College Consortium and perhaps more diversity (also more of a liberal climate in New England; but not overpowering at UMass); some might say Penn State is more diverse, though, because it has a somewhat higher percent from out of state. Diversity and its importance are in the eye of the beholder, and they will mostly be focusing on their studies, anyway.
If I were you, a lot would depend on how you and your student feel about each campus, location, the size of the school, the big-name/big-sport/fraternity feel of Penn State, and also comparing the specific CS curricula, and if you can gauge the quality/involvement of CS professors and advisors. Internships/co-ops and job placement can also be important, but both schools probably do well with those, in CS and the current economy. Honors College at UMass is considered a significant plus by most in the program, so congratulations on getting admitted into that. Good luck with whatever you decide!
Thank you so much, I love UMass…specially Honors College…it is only an our away from home…just have to have my so make his mind…we will go and check it out again on Acceptance Day.