Which one to choose: UC Davis or Purdue University?

College Search & Selection
1

Now before everything else, I must say that I have been rejected by Purdue, but then put on the waitlist. And just in case I got accepted, should I choose Purdue or UCD? My intended major at both is CS (computer science). Initially, I was basing my decision entirely on ranking (and still do, to an extent), and I came to know that both are overall ranked similarly, but for CS, Purdue is higher. But does that mean it’s better? My dad says that I should go to UCD even in the event I get accepted at Purdue, because of the following reasons:

  1. If I go to do graduate studies from a really amazing college/uni, then where I did my undergrad from will matter less (but then I always like headstarts).
  2. UC Davis has a sort of a "brand recall" (link: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brand_awareness ) that Purdue doesn't have. You know, there are more UCs than Purdues (so one is more likely to know a UC than Purdue). Moreover, two UCs (Berkeley and LA) are even higher-ranked than Purdue. So UC Davis benefits from that association with the UC system. I heard that the quality of education and opportunities are same at all UCs by a UCD representative, and I believe that, but not entirely.
  3. UCD is on a list which names 20 universities where one is most likely to land a job in Silicon Valley (link: http://www.businessinsider.com/silicon-valley-hiring-most-popular-universities-2015-7#3-san-francisco-state-university-18 ) , but Purdue isn't on that list.
  4. Plus, UCD is just a hundred-minute-drive away from Silicon Valley, so even that proximity increases the chances of getting a job there.

So, what are your opinions?

2

Are you in-state for either one? Net price at UCD, and estimate from the net price calculator at Purdue?

Did you get direct admission to the CS or CSE major at UCD? If not, see http://www.cs.ucdavis.edu/undergraduate/cs/change-of-major/ and http://www.cs.ucdavis.edu/undergraduate/cse/change-of-major/ .

If you get off the waitlist at Purdue, you probably will not get direct admission to CS there. You would likely have to compete for admission if you go there: https://www.cs.purdue.edu/undergraduate/codo.html

3

Purdue CS is top notch and definitely highly regarded. I disagree about the “brand recall” comment especially since Purdue has one of the largest career fairs in the country and has amazing industry connections. That said, coming off the wait list is a slim possibility so be excited about UC Davis. It’s a great school. Congrats for getting in!

4

Purdue is definitely one of the best places for certain CS topics such as Cybersecurity. My neighbor’s kid is there for that reason and enjoys it a lot. Davis is a solid program, a lot of Silicon Valley companies come out for recruiting every year.