UNC Chapel Hill vs. University of Rochester for CS?

Hello! I am 99.9% sure I want to major in computer science, and I have narrowed down my list to these two schools. I am out-of-state for both of these schools. I haven’t received a fin aid package from UNC Chapel Hill, but I qualify for the Carolina Covenant so I would assume I would not be paying anything. I would have $3,500 a year in loans from the University of Rochester, but I don’t think this would be too much of an issue to pay off with my major. Costs aside, which would be better? I am unsure if I want to go into research or not, I’m almost 50-50 but leaning slightly towards going into the industry right after my undergrad.

UR tends to be more “tech” than UNC, and might be more aligned with your interests in a general sense. UR also offers a geographically diverse student body and a healthy balance between academics and athletics. Nonetheless, UNC might be appealing to you for reasons you haven’t explicitly stated. If that’s the case, then feel free to choose either of these schools.

Honestly, both are great schools, so I don’t think there’s bad decision. Have you visited both? Which one seems like a better fit?

i am making the same decision except its not between UNC Chapel Hill (I was waitlisted as an OOS Applicant), and my parents won’t let me move too another state anyway. However, Stony Brook vs. URochester as they are my top choices. Also, how come you received your financial aid package quickly for Rochester. I am still waiting for mine. LOL. This is starting to get me worried.

I’d say these CS programs are similar enough where I’d focus on fit and maybe where you want to be after graduation. UNC will have a good rep in the research triangle area, UR will be more known in the northeast. Those differences will be pretty minimal though, so again, focus on fit. Where did you feel more at home? If you haven’t visited both, I would highly recommend doing so.

@taverngirl I’m not able to visit either, but I’m in group chats for both and I definitely feel like I fit better at Rochester, but location wise, I prefer NC.

@Puzzled101 I was accepted on March 1st and got my aid package a week later, I think it all depends on what time you got your acceptance.

I do not think UR will be “more known in the Northeast” than UNC. UNC has a tremendous alumni network and is known in the Northeast for sure. Both are terrific schools where you can’t go wrong. UNC has a better overall experience because it has similar stellar academics than rochester but with better sports and the area of RTP is far far far better.