UMD vs Vt for CS?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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!

you take the word of anonymous poster vs looking at data.

https://www.collegetransitions.com/dataverse/top-feeders-tech

https://www.cs.umd.edu/article/2024/09/umd-computer-science-graduates-secure-96-job-placement-rate

I can't find any information on VT CS undergrad job placement like ^ for UMD.

[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.

*around here*.

But nationally and globally, UMD > VT.

By research, which is important for prestige and global recognition. It changes based on publication, but UMD is always somewhere on there. VT is not.

https://csrankings.org/#/fromyear/2014/toyear/2024/index?all&us

Global ranksings

Rank #74
https://www.topuniversities.com/university-subject-rankings/computer-science-information-systems?search=maryland


Rank 149
https://www.topuniversities.com/university-subject-rankings/computer-science-information-systems?search=virginia

(But at least it's higher than UVA at 200+)


UMD #56
https://www.timeshighereducation.com/world-university-rankings/2025/subject-ranking/computer-science#!/length/25/name/maryland/sort_by/rank/sort_order/asc/cols/scores

VT 100 to 125
https://www.timeshighereducation.com/world-university-rankings/2025/subject-ranking/computer-science#!/length/25/name/virginia/sort_by/rank/sort_order/asc/cols/scores

(But again, it beats UVA)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

*around here*.

But nationally and globally, UMD > VT.

By research, which is important for prestige and global recognition. It changes based on publication, but UMD is always somewhere on there. VT is not.

https://csrankings.org/#/fromyear/2014/toyear/2024/index?all&us

Global ranksings

Rank #74
https://www.topuniversities.com/university-subject-rankings/computer-science-information-systems?search=maryland


Rank 149
https://www.topuniversities.com/university-subject-rankings/computer-science-information-systems?search=virginia

(But at least it's higher than UVA at 200+)


UMD #56
https://www.timeshighereducation.com/world-university-rankings/2025/subject-ranking/computer-science#!/length/25/name/maryland/sort_by/rank/sort_order/asc/cols/scores

VT 100 to 125
https://www.timeshighereducation.com/world-university-rankings/2025/subject-ranking/computer-science#!/length/25/name/virginia/sort_by/rank/sort_order/asc/cols/scores

(But again, it beats UVA)

Is UMD’s program much harder/competition much worse. Not the same, but I know multiple recent Carnegie Mellon grads, and it sounds hellish. I would choose respected but lower ranked school based if that’s the case.

[Anonymous]

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

+1

Pretty equal and UMD is not worth the extra $80K expense.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

*around here*.

But nationally and globally, UMD > VT.

By research, which is important for prestige and global recognition. It changes based on publication, but UMD is always somewhere on there. VT is not.

https://csrankings.org/#/fromyear/2014/toyear/2024/index?all&us

Global ranksings

Rank #74
https://www.topuniversities.com/university-subject-rankings/computer-science-information-systems?search=maryland


Rank 149
https://www.topuniversities.com/university-subject-rankings/computer-science-information-systems?search=virginia

(But at least it's higher than UVA at 200+)


UMD #56
https://www.timeshighereducation.com/world-university-rankings/2025/subject-ranking/computer-science#!/length/25/name/maryland/sort_by/rank/sort_order/asc/cols/scores

VT 100 to 125
https://www.timeshighereducation.com/world-university-rankings/2025/subject-ranking/computer-science#!/length/25/name/virginia/sort_by/rank/sort_order/asc/cols/scores

(But again, it beats UVA)

Is UMD’s program much harder/competition much worse. Not the same, but I know multiple recent Carnegie Mellon grads, and it sounds hellish. I would choose respected but lower ranked school based if that’s the case.

pp here... UMD CS is nowhere near as hellish as CMU CS program from what I can tell. But, DC at UMD CS major tells me that a lot of kids do drop out of the CS program. It's not for the faint of heart. They also reduced the size of the CS program from 1400 to 700, with about 600 being direct admit. Almost impossible now to transfer into UMD CS , both internally and externally. They also have a +1 masters program that DC is going to do (now a senior there, and a dual major with math).

https://undergrad.cs.umd.edu/cs-lep-faq-effective-fall-2024

I don't know how big VT CS program is, but having a smaller program means more 1:1 with professors, and less competition after graduation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

*around here*.

But nationally and globally, UMD > VT.

By research, which is important for prestige and global recognition. It changes based on publication, but UMD is always somewhere on there. VT is not.

https://csrankings.org/#/fromyear/2014/toyear/2024/index?all&us

Global ranksings

Rank #74
https://www.topuniversities.com/university-subject-rankings/computer-science-information-systems?search=maryland


Rank 149
https://www.topuniversities.com/university-subject-rankings/computer-science-information-systems?search=virginia

(But at least it's higher than UVA at 200+)


UMD #56
https://www.timeshighereducation.com/world-university-rankings/2025/subject-ranking/computer-science#!/length/25/name/maryland/sort_by/rank/sort_order/asc/cols/scores

VT 100 to 125
https://www.timeshighereducation.com/world-university-rankings/2025/subject-ranking/computer-science#!/length/25/name/virginia/sort_by/rank/sort_order/asc/cols/scores

(But again, it beats UVA)

I am a hiring manager for a F500 tech company. UMD, Vtech, UVA, Upitt, and even UMBC and GMU are the same consideration, solid state school CS programs. The only stand out is if it's an Ivy League but that only gets you so far as the coding test, experience and interviews will be more important.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

*around here*.

But nationally and globally, UMD > VT.

By research, which is important for prestige and global recognition. It changes based on publication, but UMD is always somewhere on there. VT is not.

https://csrankings.org/#/fromyear/2014/toyear/2024/index?all&us

Global ranksings

Rank #74
https://www.topuniversities.com/university-subject-rankings/computer-science-information-systems?search=maryland


Rank 149
https://www.topuniversities.com/university-subject-rankings/computer-science-information-systems?search=virginia

(But at least it's higher than UVA at 200+)


UMD #56
https://www.timeshighereducation.com/world-university-rankings/2025/subject-ranking/computer-science#!/length/25/name/maryland/sort_by/rank/sort_order/asc/cols/scores

VT 100 to 125
https://www.timeshighereducation.com/world-university-rankings/2025/subject-ranking/computer-science#!/length/25/name/virginia/sort_by/rank/sort_order/asc/cols/scores

(But again, it beats UVA)

Is UMD’s program much harder/competition much worse. Not the same, but I know multiple recent Carnegie Mellon grads, and it sounds hellish. I would choose respected but lower ranked school based if that’s the case.

pp here... UMD CS is nowhere near as hellish as CMU CS program from what I can tell. But, DC at UMD CS major tells me that a lot of kids do drop out of the CS program. It's not for the faint of heart. They also reduced the size of the CS program from 1400 to 700, with about 600 being direct admit. Almost impossible now to transfer into UMD CS , both internally and externally. They also have a +1 masters program that DC is going to do (now a senior there, and a dual major with math).

https://undergrad.cs.umd.edu/cs-lep-faq-effective-fall-2024

I don't know how big VT CS program is, but having a smaller program means more 1:1 with professors, and less competition after graduation.

OP here. Did your DC find the program at UMD cutthroat ie a lot competition for clubs, research, and internships at FAANG-level companies? Was your DC able to secure summer internships? Thank you!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

*around here*.

But nationally and globally, UMD > VT.

By research, which is important for prestige and global recognition. It changes based on publication, but UMD is always somewhere on there. VT is not.

https://csrankings.org/#/fromyear/2014/toyear/2024/index?all&us

Global ranksings

Rank #74
https://www.topuniversities.com/university-subject-rankings/computer-science-information-systems?search=maryland


Rank 149
https://www.topuniversities.com/university-subject-rankings/computer-science-information-systems?search=virginia

(But at least it's higher than UVA at 200+)


UMD #56
https://www.timeshighereducation.com/world-university-rankings/2025/subject-ranking/computer-science#!/length/25/name/maryland/sort_by/rank/sort_order/asc/cols/scores

VT 100 to 125
https://www.timeshighereducation.com/world-university-rankings/2025/subject-ranking/computer-science#!/length/25/name/virginia/sort_by/rank/sort_order/asc/cols/scores

(But again, it beats UVA)

Is UMD’s program much harder/competition much worse. Not the same, but I know multiple recent Carnegie Mellon grads, and it sounds hellish. I would choose respected but lower ranked school based if that’s the case.

pp here... UMD CS is nowhere near as hellish as CMU CS program from what I can tell. But, DC at UMD CS major tells me that a lot of kids do drop out of the CS program. It's not for the faint of heart. They also reduced the size of the CS program from 1400 to 700, with about 600 being direct admit. Almost impossible now to transfer into UMD CS , both internally and externally. They also have a +1 masters program that DC is going to do (now a senior there, and a dual major with math).

https://undergrad.cs.umd.edu/cs-lep-faq-effective-fall-2024

I don't know how big VT CS program is, but having a smaller program means more 1:1 with professors, and less competition after graduation.

OP here. Did your DC find the program at UMD cutthroat ie a lot competition for clubs, research, and internships at FAANG-level companies? Was your DC able to secure summer internships? Thank you!

They have not said that it's cut throat. It's a big state school, so there are a lot of kids with various abilities. You get out of it what you make of it. Some kids are a bit lazy so they didn't get any internships; other kids hustled and got internships, either locally or other cities/states (like my DC).

DC got an internship last summer, and one this summer, not FAANG but still a well known tech company.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

*around here*.

But nationally and globally, UMD > VT.

By research, which is important for prestige and global recognition. It changes based on publication, but UMD is always somewhere on there. VT is not.

https://csrankings.org/#/fromyear/2014/toyear/2024/index?all&us

Global ranksings

Rank #74
https://www.topuniversities.com/university-subject-rankings/computer-science-information-systems?search=maryland


Rank 149
https://www.topuniversities.com/university-subject-rankings/computer-science-information-systems?search=virginia

(But at least it's higher than UVA at 200+)


UMD #56
https://www.timeshighereducation.com/world-university-rankings/2025/subject-ranking/computer-science#!/length/25/name/maryland/sort_by/rank/sort_order/asc/cols/scores

VT 100 to 125
https://www.timeshighereducation.com/world-university-rankings/2025/subject-ranking/computer-science#!/length/25/name/virginia/sort_by/rank/sort_order/asc/cols/scores

(But again, it beats UVA)

Is UMD’s program much harder/competition much worse. Not the same, but I know multiple recent Carnegie Mellon grads, and it sounds hellish. I would choose respected but lower ranked school based if that’s the case.

pp here... UMD CS is nowhere near as hellish as CMU CS program from what I can tell. But, DC at UMD CS major tells me that a lot of kids do drop out of the CS program. It's not for the faint of heart. They also reduced the size of the CS program from 1400 to 700, with about 600 being direct admit. Almost impossible now to transfer into UMD CS , both internally and externally. They also have a +1 masters program that DC is going to do (now a senior there, and a dual major with math).

https://undergrad.cs.umd.edu/cs-lep-faq-effective-fall-2024

I don't know how big VT CS program is, but having a smaller program means more 1:1 with professors, and less competition after graduation.

OP here. Did your DC find the program at UMD cutthroat ie a lot competition for clubs, research, and internships at FAANG-level companies? Was your DC able to secure summer internships? Thank you!

They have not said that it's cut throat. It's a big state school, so there are a lot of kids with various abilities. You get out of it what you make of it. Some kids are a bit lazy so they didn't get any internships; other kids hustled and got internships, either locally or other cities/states (like my DC).

DC got an internship last summer, and one this summer, not FAANG but still a well known tech company.

Thank you for your insight!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

DP. There really isn't.

[Anonymous]

Have you checked about the ease in getting into classes at both colleges?

I personally don't know the situation at those two schools - but you should look into it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

*around here*.

But nationally and globally, UMD > VT.

By research, which is important for prestige and global recognition. It changes based on publication, but UMD is always somewhere on there. VT is not.

https://csrankings.org/#/fromyear/2014/toyear/2024/index?all&us

Global ranksings

Rank #74
https://www.topuniversities.com/university-subject-rankings/computer-science-information-systems?search=maryland


Rank 149
https://www.topuniversities.com/university-subject-rankings/computer-science-information-systems?search=virginia

(But at least it's higher than UVA at 200+)


UMD #56
https://www.timeshighereducation.com/world-university-rankings/2025/subject-ranking/computer-science#!/length/25/name/maryland/sort_by/rank/sort_order/asc/cols/scores

VT 100 to 125
https://www.timeshighereducation.com/world-university-rankings/2025/subject-ranking/computer-science#!/length/25/name/virginia/sort_by/rank/sort_order/asc/cols/scores

(But again, it beats UVA)

Is UMD’s program much harder/competition much worse. Not the same, but I know multiple recent Carnegie Mellon grads, and it sounds hellish. I would choose respected but lower ranked school based if that’s the case.

pp here... UMD CS is nowhere near as hellish as CMU CS program from what I can tell. But, DC at UMD CS major tells me that a lot of kids do drop out of the CS program. It's not for the faint of heart. They also reduced the size of the CS program from 1400 to 700, with about 600 being direct admit. Almost impossible now to transfer into UMD CS , both internally and externally. They also have a +1 masters program that DC is going to do (now a senior there, and a dual major with math).

https://undergrad.cs.umd.edu/cs-lep-faq-effective-fall-2024

I don't know how big VT CS program is, but having a smaller program means more 1:1 with professors, and less competition after graduation.

OP here. Did your DC find the program at UMD cutthroat ie a lot competition for clubs, research, and internships at FAANG-level companies? Was your DC able to secure summer internships? Thank you!

They have not said that it's cut throat. It's a big state school, so there are a lot of kids with various abilities. You get out of it what you make of it. Some kids are a bit lazy so they didn't get any internships; other kids hustled and got internships, either locally or other cities/states (like my DC).

DC got an internship last summer, and one this summer, not FAANG but still a well known tech company.

+1. Current sophomore CS major. 190 applications sent last summer/fall to get a summer 25 internship. It doesn't appear that the classes are cutthroat, however, he had to apply and was interviewed for a couple CS related CLUBS.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

No one cares but parents like you to brag.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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

+1

Pretty equal and UMD is not worth the extra $80K expense.

I'd go for costs but you can use the prepaid, cash it out and use it another school so factor that in the cost.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

No one cares but parents like you to brag.

+1
UMD boosters are just as insufferable as the other resident boosters. UMD is fine, but definitely not worth OOS tuition over VT.