Which UCs best for Computer Science undergrad?

State Forums
1

Besides the obvious ones like UCB, UCLA, UCSD. Out of the mid range UCs: UCD, UCI, UCSC, UCSB, can you rank them. I know that basically all of them teach the same things for cs undergrad, but which of the four is most prestigious/ has a better program?

2

UCI is very good for CS

3

Get in, then worry about which one is best for you.

4

I am fairly confident that I can get into any of those four, but it is not economically viable for me to apply to 7 UCs at $70 each. That’s why I’m trying to decide on two more to apply to.

5

Hi! UCSB, UCI and UCD are all three excellent and very well respected (some would even put these 3 CS departments ahead of UCLA). Each of these UC’s has a very different “campus vibe”. Have you been able to visit any of the campuses? UCSB tends to be a very social school, whereas UCI has a bit of a “commuter school” reputation. Since each is excellent, my advice is to apply based on which campus community you see yourself fitting in with best. A CS degree from any of these schools will be well regarded by employers. Good luck!

6

The ones which you can get into the CS major. At many UCs, getting into the CS major as a frosh is more selective than the school overall, and getting into the CS major after enrolling as undeclared or another major is difficult.

http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/discussion/comment/19854939/#Comment_19854939

7

For acceptance rates into the UC engineering schools (as opposed to that university as a whole), check http://profiles.asee.org. Look under Undergraduate- New Applicants. Previous poster is right, engineering acceptance rates are quite different from the schools as a whole. Interesting factoid- UCSD is not the third most selective based on acceptance rate.

One big difference among the UC engineering schools is size. For example, the CS major at UCSD has more students (1850 in CS BS degree) than the entire engineering school at UCSB (1455 across 5 majors). Larger schools may provide more course options and specializations, smaller may be more intimate, allowing you to have closer interactions with faculty. These are broad generalizations, so you’ll need to look under the hood to see which ones fit you best and then make your selections. [Source for above stats on admissions and class size is http://profile.asee.org (American Society for Engineering Education).]