My son is admitted to Umich, UCLA, UW and Georgia Tech’s Computer Science direct programs. We narrowed down to UW and Georgia Tech CS program. Since we are WA state resident, UW tuition sounds very tempting. But it looks like Georgia Tech is a bit stronger in CS field. Any advice(pros and cons) you guys could provide about choosing a school would really help. Thanks in advance.
First, congratulations to your son!
From the UW website: “Computer Science Direct Admission is offered to about 250 freshmen, selected from more than 5,000 candidates.”
This popular “ranking” indicates that the CS departments are equally strong:
https://www.usnews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-science-schools/computer-science-rankings
Your son would be among the first to use the second CS building at the UW (Bill & Melinda Gates Center), which is scheduled to open in January 2019:
https://www.cs.washington.edu/supportcse/cse2/background
All at instate rates (because of what you have already contributed through taxes). 
Thank you! It really helps! 
When it comes to schools in the same top tier you need to ignore the minute differences in rankings. You need to pay the most attention to the financial burden. UW (WA one) is a fantastic choice. Plus the campus and culture are probably a better fit for your son. You are lucky to have such a great instate option- take it. Your son should jump at the chance to be at your UW (I’m equally fond of my UW). Save the money. Just because a place is closer to home does not mean it is not the better choice. The overall experience likely fits him better- and nothing lost for CS.
I think UW is fine…Also, if he wants to work in west I think he’s better off at UW.
Can I ask what you think made the difference for Direct Admit at UW?
Washington with direct admission to CS at in state price is a great choice.
Not sure why, but here is my son’s profile though: He went for IB diploma, high GPA and SAT, took both SL and HL computer science, summer intern at an IT firm, two varsity sports teams, two leadership positions, a lot of volunteers. Super busy and works really hard during high school years… That’s my guess.
Udub is a really top notch school. That would get my vote
Go to UW. The extra added cost to go out of state for CS isn’t worth it, and UW has one of the better CS programs around.
I’m a Georgia girl, and while Tech has a great program, it’s not even the only game in town in the South. I would ignore rankings and look for other criteria that would find the best fit for your son.
Unless he has some burning wish to experience a completely different part of the country (and I’d say Washington State and Alabama are about as different as can be), UW seems like the obvious choice. I agree with other posters that that a few positions difference in rankings are irrelevant.
In favor of UA: The college years are about the easiest time in your life to try out another part of the country. CS grads from either school will likely be able to work wherever they like in the country. All of my son’s internships and his final job offer were in CA - he was a student at CMU. CS is a field where for strong students starting salaries are high - paying off loans will not be as onerous as it is for those in lower paying professions.