UMD vs Vt for CS?

[Anonymous]

DD is deciding between these 2 schools for computer science

UMD OOS 46K (tuition and room and board)
VT IS we have a prepaid 529 so cost is only R&B (16K)

DD really has no preference for campus and can see herself being happy in either. An advantage for UMD is it's less than 1 hour drive away vs VT being 4 hours away and she would prefer being close to home. As parents, we worry a bit about safety at UMD since it is in PG county (is it a valid worry or are we being paranoid?)

We can afford the higher cost but really wondering if the extra cost is worth it. We know UMD is better ranked than VT in CS, but is the outcome (recruitment, jobs upon graduation,...) so different that it warrants an extra 120K?

[Anonymous]

Only you know whether extra cost is worth. Safety at CP is ok unless your kid is one of those kids doing stupid stuff. UMD CP is very good as you probably know.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DD is deciding between these 2 schools for computer science

UMD OOS 46K (tuition and room and board)
VT IS we have a prepaid 529 so cost is only R&B (16K)

DD really has no preference for campus and can see herself being happy in either. An advantage for UMD is it's less than 1 hour drive away vs VT being 4 hours away and she would prefer being close to home. As parents, we worry a bit about safety at UMD since it is in PG county (is it a valid worry or are we being paranoid?)

We can afford the higher cost but really wondering if the extra cost is worth it. We know UMD is better ranked than VT in CS, but is the outcome (recruitment, jobs upon graduation,...) so different that it warrants an extra 120K?

Tough call. UMD is definitely much more advantageous when it comes to proximity to internship opportunities. I get why you're worried about safety but the overwhelming majority of UMD students live safely in College Park. If money is a huge issue, then I would do VT. If not, then I would lean UMD.

[Anonymous]

UMD is pretty safe. There are some thefts but I have not heard of any real physical harm, especially for girls.

The purple line should be opening in a couple of years at UMD, which will allow better connections to DC. IMO, having a lightrail right on campus has some pros and cons.

Is it "worth" to pay more for OOS? A few years ago, I would've said no. But, today, CS jobs are harder to come by, so prestige and alumni may matter more today.

I don't know much about VT, but I would imagine the vibe between the two schools are a bit different.

[Anonymous]

I’d say VT because of cost. But maybe Md for location. I’d visit both again.

[Anonymous]

There is no difference in prestige or education between UMD and VTech. If it were an ivy and VTech that would be a difference.

[Anonymous]

I love UMD (alum, son goes there) but I don't think it's worth the extra.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DD is deciding between these 2 schools for computer science

UMD OOS 46K (tuition and room and board)
VT IS we have a prepaid 529 so cost is only R&B (16K)

DD really has no preference for campus and can see herself being happy in either. An advantage for UMD is it's less than 1 hour drive away vs VT being 4 hours away and she would prefer being close to home. As parents, we worry a bit about safety at UMD since it is in PG county (is it a valid worry or are we being paranoid?)

We can afford the higher cost but really wondering if the extra cost is worth it. We know UMD is better ranked than VT in CS, but is the outcome (recruitment, jobs upon graduation,...) so different that it warrants an extra 120K?

Your prepaid will pay something for umd— I’m not sure how much though.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There is no difference in prestige or education between UMD and VTech. If it were an ivy and VTech that would be a difference.

wrong. There is for CS.

[Anonymous]

UMD, no contest or question.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DD is deciding between these 2 schools for computer science

UMD OOS 46K (tuition and room and board)
VT IS we have a prepaid 529 so cost is only R&B (16K)

DD really has no preference for campus and can see herself being happy in either. An advantage for UMD is it's less than 1 hour drive away vs VT being 4 hours away and she would prefer being close to home. As parents, we worry a bit about safety at UMD since it is in PG county (is it a valid worry or are we being paranoid?)

We can afford the higher cost but really wondering if the extra cost is worth it. We know UMD is better ranked than VT in CS, but is the outcome (recruitment, jobs upon graduation,...) so different that it warrants an extra 120K?

Your prepaid will pay something for umd— I’m not sure how much though.

OP here. Our Prepaid only has a value of about 40K if we were to cash it out.

[Anonymous]

If money is an issue, then VT; otherwise, UMD.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:UMD, no contest or question.

What do you think makes UMD for CS a clear winner? I would love your opinion on it. We are not tech people so don't really know how the school looks to tech companies. We do have some friends with CS kids at both colleges, and all of their kids struggle to find internships this year.

[Anonymous]

Hiring manager here. We would view CS grads from either as being equal. Both programs are large enough to have a good range of upper level electives, so that also does not differentiate. For job outcomes it really is about the same.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Hiring manager here. We would view CS grads from either as being equal. Both programs are large enough to have a good range of upper level electives, so that also does not differentiate. For job outcomes it really is about the same.

Thank you so much for your input!