UT Austin vs. Emory University - Computer Science

<p>Hey there. I recently got admitted to University of Texas Austin & Emory University in Atlanta and I'm having a very hard time deciding between the two. </p>

<p>UT Austin has an excellent computer science program, ranked high in the nation (number 8, right below Princeton). The negative though is that the class sizes are excruciatingly large with an undergrad student body of over 38,000. I would be paying around 20k a year to attend making it cheaper than Emory, so I'm leaning toward UT more.</p>

<p>But then Emory is a smaller school and more prestigious. Supposedly, "a degree from Emory is worth going into debt." It's not ranked or known for Computer Science but they do offer a "3-2" program with Georgia Tech where I could take classes at both school. (Georgia Tech is ranked #9 for CS- I got accepted but didn't like the environment). Now, Emory costs 56,000 per year and if you subtract the scholarship money I received, I would still have to cover $35,000. </p>

<p>So, University of Texas or Emory University.
Comments and thoughts are DEFINITELY appreciated, I need to make my decision within the next few days. Thanks!</p>

<p>I think the debt thing will kill most of us.
Before even considering either school, ask yourself a few questions:</p>

<ol>
<li>Do you enjoy smaller class or larger class?</li>
<li>Do you like smaller campus or larger campus?</li>
<li>In terms of location, which would you prefer?</li>
</ol>

<p>I think UT is better - even though the larger class size may throw you off a bit (I attend a medium-size public school so my class size is normally around 25~30, except for science lectures…but still within 100~150). </p>

<p>I think UT’s CS program will get you farther. It has an excellent network, no doubt. So instead of ending up with a debt (which may takes several years to finally clean it up). Why limit yourself to only names? I mean UT is probably more well-known IMO.</p>

<p>UT is less expensive – about $80,000 total versus $140,000 total for four years at Emory or $105,000 for three years at Emory plus whatever it costs for two years at Georgia Tech.</p>

<p>And you said that you don’t like Georgia Tech, so would you really want to spend two years there?</p>

<p>Others have said that those planning 3-2 starting at a four year school (as opposed to a community college) rarely go through with it, having settled into their first school and not wanting to transfer. Also, curriculum / prerequisite mismatches may make planning courses at the second school more difficult. Basically similar issues as those who start off at community college, but starting off at a four year school is much more expensive than starting off at a community college.</p>

<p>Don’t let the US News ranking of UT Austin fool you. They have many top 10 programs and the school is a research powerhouse. Honestly, overall, I would say a degree from UT-Austin will take you just as far as a degree from Emory, if not farther.</p>

<p>Keep in mind…</p>

<p>Once you get into software engineering, it becomes more about what are the latest/high-demand skills that you have.</p>

<p>Well, yeah look at that additional year. Getting two bachelor doesn’t make you wannable,
Why be in debt and waste an additional year when you can leave your college with no debt and possibly getting a job after graduation? That makes more sense to me. You will be making money at that point, while the 3-2 guys end up with nothing but two papers.</p>

<p>Thank you all for your replies. basically the general consensus is that at UT, I get more for my dollar. This really helped me make my decision!</p>

<p>Does Emory even offer computer science major? Most kids here are either pre-med, business school, or pre-law. Emory is more prestigious and rank higher than UT, but for your major, go with UT</p>