<p>I have admits from University of Southern California and Northeastern University for Spring, 2015. Which one should I opt for? It will be helpful if the difference between the two from job placements, internships, teaching assistantships and course structure points of view can be provided. For 18 months the tuition and the living expenses together come down to about 85000 for USC and 57000 for NEU. Is USC worth all that extra money?</p>
<p>Northeastern has a strong CS program, particularly in programming languages. In general, there’s a strong emphasis on experiential learning and job placement, but I don’t know exactly how this comes out in a master’s program.</p>
<p>From what I know of USC’s program, it is their cash cow. This doesn’t mean it’s not a solid program, but it’s where the university makes most of its money from, and they go for volume of students.</p>
<p>Do you have the extra $28,000 for the difference? If you’re going to be taking out loans, I would not spent that much extra for it.</p>
<p>USC’s CS department is pretty good. ARWU rated it #10 in the world last year, and #11 this year. That said, unless USC’s CS program has a specialty you’re interested in that Northeastern doesn’t, or you want to work in California after you graduate, might as well save $28,000 and go to Northeastern.</p>
<p>Northeastern has the better known computer science department, particularly if you’re interested in internships and job placement. This is probably becuase of access to the Boston tech market, which is more thriving than the comparable market in Los Angeles. USC is a great school, even if it isn’t particularly well known for computer science or placing its students in internships/co-ops (there are much better UC schools you could attend). I would visit each and see where you would rather live for four years. </p>
<p>It’s a 1.5 year masters program, not a 4-year undergrad.</p>
<p>Thanks guys! The general consensus seems to be that though USC is great in terms of course work in CS, unless there is some course in particular not available at NEU its probably not the best bet with the extra $28000 I will have to spend on it. Still keeping an open mind and looking at other factors such as peer group and start up culture or even life in general in both the cities. All opinions are welcomed.</p>
<p>Do you care about where you work after graduation?</p>
<p>Yeah. Preferably California or New York.</p>