One, it's just not possible to take the validity of USNWR rankings off the table, because that's the whole basis of your post.

Two, privates are not always better than publics. It depends on things like where you want to live (all else being equal, going to school in the area you want to live is better, because your internship/networking opportunities will be better), the specific program you want, the particular strengths of each school, and your child's particular needs and preferences. The great state flagships are great schools, full of smart, motivated kids.

I also agree that USC is not generally better regarded than UVA or UNC.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There's no world in which USC is more academically respected than UNC.

Schools like USC, NYU, Vanderbilt, and to a lesser extent, Northwestern and Duke, are widely considered to be easy party schools. At the 15-20 tier, these schools are fine but no where close to the publics i.e. Berkeley, UCLA, Michigan, UNC because the publics are weighted down in rankings due to lower endowment despite having top academics, research, professors.

Ugh, this is the same Karen from the W&M and VT thread. Why do you keep bringing up Northwestern and Duke? What is your bizarre fixation with those schools? Both of these schools are (a) not in the 15-20 tier, they're top 10 schools, and (b) are widely regarded by just about anybody to be stronger schools than Berkeley, UCLA, Michigan, and UNC.

yep. The Northwestern-obsessed poster is back!

You are talking about schools that are all well-known with great reputations. If money isn't an issue, let the kid go to the one they like best.

Schools ranked 25 and 31 are really quite similar in the methodology USNews has. The 25th school isn't considerably "better" than the 31st.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For CS, skill is very important vs. name of college.

So.. In the schools OP named, isn't USC the "better" school for CS based on ranking and proximity to CS jobs?

NP
Because of rankings no.
If you want to work in CA, USC.
If you want to work in DC ( UVA, VT, UMD)
It might only matter for your first job.

Anonymous wrote:For CS, skill is very important vs. name of college.

So.. In the schools OP named, isn't USC the "better" school for CS based on ranking and proximity to CS jobs?

Anonymous wrote:There's no world in which USC is more academically respected than UNC.

Schools like USC, NYU, Vanderbilt, and to a lesser extent, Northwestern and Duke, are widely considered to be easy party schools. At the 15-20 tier, these schools are fine but no where close to the publics i.e. Berkeley, UCLA, Michigan, UNC because the publics are weighted down in rankings due to lower endowment despite having top academics, research, professors.

You're so close, yet so far. Sadly, you have no idea what you're talking about. That's not the reason the top publics are weighted down in the rankings. Rage on USC and NYU all you want (I agree they're grossly overrated), but schools like Northwestern and Duke exist in a separate image category.

I would easily take Berkeley, UCLA and Michigan over a USC or NYU or Georgetown, but not necessarily over a Northwestern or Duke or UChicago or Brown. Berkeley, in particular, is notorious for its poor undergraduate experience. The only scenario in which Berkeley would be a clear winner is if I was keen on pursuing CS.

Anonymous wrote:There's no world in which USC is more academically respected than UNC.

Schools like USC, NYU, Vanderbilt, and to a lesser extent, Northwestern and Duke, are widely considered to be easy party schools. At the 15-20 tier, these schools are fine but no where close to the publics i.e. Berkeley, UCLA, Michigan, UNC because the publics are weighted down in rankings due to lower endowment despite having top academics, research, professors.

Ugh, this is the same Karen from the W&M and VT thread. Why do you keep bringing up Northwestern and Duke? What is your bizarre fixation with those schools? Both of these schools are (a) not in the 15-20 tier, they're top 10 schools, and (b) are widely regarded by just about anybody to be stronger schools than Berkeley, UCLA, Michigan, and UNC.

For CS, skill is very important vs. name of college.

Anonymous wrote:There's no world in which USC is more academically respected than UNC.

Schools like USC, NYU, Vanderbilt, and to a lesser extent, Northwestern and Duke, are widely considered to be easy party schools. At the 15-20 tier, these schools are fine but no where close to the publics i.e. Berkeley, UCLA, Michigan, UNC because the publics are weighted down in rankings due to lower endowment despite having top academics, research, professors.

Fighting words!

Has anyone read this book? It just came out, it’s very good. Lots of discussion between public & private and what value (if any) they offer your family.

The Price You Pay for College: An Entirely New Road Map for the Biggest Financial Decision Your Family Will Ever Make https://www.amazon.com/dp/006286730X/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_WWN19BAHXXBZM5QKCJ3H?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

There's no world in which USC is more academically respected than UNC.

Schools like USC, NYU, Vanderbilt, and to a lesser extent, Northwestern and Duke, are widely considered to be easy party schools. At the 15-20 tier, these schools are fine but no where close to the publics i.e. Berkeley, UCLA, Michigan, UNC because the publics are weighted down in rankings due to lower endowment despite having top academics, research, professors.

That difference in ranking doesn’t matter. Pick the best fit (assuming $$ doesn’t matter)

Yes.

All kidding aside, the most obvious answer is that not all private universities are created equal, and not all public universities are created equal. Some public universities are better than privates. The best schools in this country, however, are all private.

Hypothetical question.. Are Private universities than publics, all other things being equal?

For example, USC, UVA and UNC are ranked close to each other (24,26 and 28) in overall rankings. For CS they are 25,31,31. If a kid gets into all three, would it make sense to go to USC (assuming the cost differential and travel are not issues just to take the obvious off the table)? Why or why not?

Note: Rankings listed are from US News. Not interested in a discussion on the validity of these rankings. I'm them at face value for the purpose of this discussion. Thanks!