I was wondering which one of these colleges has a better CS program. Also how do the internship opportunities compare? Whichever college I decide to join I’ll have to pay almost the same amount at each University, so money is not a factor.
Also is there any specific pros and cons to each University that I should no about?
Thanks!
know* (oops)
For the same cost, I would pick Wisconsin. Madison is on of the great college towns. The CS programs are equal.
In terms of internships and career opportunities they would be equal. Having said that, your success in either one of these schools and College in general, come with what YOU make of it.
If you are not directly admitted to the CS major, it will be easier to get into the CS major at Wisconsin.
https://www.cs.wisc.edu/academics/undergraduate-programs/how-prepare-cs-major
I believe the Madison area has far more tech activity than Purdue. http://host.madison.com/wsj/business/madison-shows-great-momentum-in-tech-job-growth-brookings-analyst/article_93ecb2a9-cc10-5008-9761-0a0d167977f8.html
Purdue brings a huge number of companies to campus and have high rates of internships, co-ops, and job placement in general.
Epic, on the outskirts of Madison, is a big software company with a fun, funky campus, and hires a lot of UW grads. And of course, Madison is one of THE great college towns.
@momofsenior1 They both attract large number of companies to campus.
The only thing that was missing at UW-Madison last semester was March Madness Lol
For CS, I would pick UW Madison. (For engineering, maybe Purdue.)
No difference for CS.
OP was asking about CS not engineering but since you brought it up, they both comes down to preference.
The first thing is cost. If you can’t afford the OOS tuition without large amounts of debt (over $27k), you’re wasting your time. If both are out of state, both schools are bad options if you have an affordable in-state option. Tech degrees are highly employable and most employers hire locally or regionally, because it’s more cost-effective that way.
I’m an international applicant.
Not exactly on point but might inform the differences. http://www.pennlive.com/pennstatefootball/index.ssf/2018/06/big_ten_football_rankings_penn.html
Really, the biggest factor is whether the student gets admitted to the major, or (if not) how difficult it will be to get into the major after enrolling. The better department does not help if you cannot get into the major.
Based on the links in reply #4, getting into Wisconsin CS is easy if you get into the school, but Purdue CS can be much more difficult to get into.
I’m a transfer student and have got CS major at both.
Can’t say anything for Purdue, Wisconsin is fine to me (or was fine 20 years ago). I minored in CS and took at least 6 courses there. CS is always difficult compared with other STEM majors.
I would apply to both. You can see which one you get into (hopefully both!), and if you get any merit money along the way.