Value of a degree from big name schools?

[HannibalX]

In my opinion the type of degree in relation to the field you work in is more important than the name on the school building. Since the end of 2007 I have known several people with degrees from "top" schools who can't get jobs because to the people doing the hiring the name on the school means dick, they don't have the skills for the job, degree or not.

 

[DougK62]

No contest - Ohio State. You'll get a good degree and owe far less money.

 

[Nitemare]

In computers and engineering degrees no, because 90% of the skills you will need you will learn on the job. The alumni association would be the only thing you would miss out on.

 

[2Xtreme21]

In computers and engineering degrees no, because 90% of the skills you will need you will learn on the job. The alumni association would be the only thing you would miss out on.

Internships and job opps would be another. You think big tech companies like MS, Google, etc. won't be recruiting heavily for MIT, CMU, etc. grads?

 

[krunchykrome]

it might have a big impact in the first job you land outside of college... after that, not so much.

this

 

[RearAdmiral]

Having Penn State on my degree helped me land my current job. Don't sell yourself short now if you think you'll regret it. OSU will have a massive network while CMU will have that ooo look at that guy appeal.

 

[Legendary]

College name -> interview for first job

after that, BFD

 

[alkemyst]

it might have a big impact in the first job you land outside of college... after that, not so much.

Having a degree from Havard or the like will always help you...not to mention the networking while in/being from one.

That said the schools between the top 10 and the average don't really matter as much, however; the education one will get from a better school goes a long way IMHO in self-enlightenment and separating you from the typical candidate.

In the end though any great school can have a bad professor or two. I tended to research more of who I was picking as a teacher than how it really fit into my schedule.

 

[IndyColtsFan]

No contest - Ohio State. You'll get a good degree and owe far less money.

This. It isn't even close -- CMU might be "better," but is it $25K per year better? No way. You'll be fine at OSU.

 

[Platypus]

For the most part, as most have said, after your first gig the name of your school isn't all that important as after that your work experience and knowledge and even past employment trump it.

However, it is not to be written off altogether. I secured a job years after I graduated just because my manager went to the same school I did. Having a big name on your degree is no guarantee but it certainly can help past your first job.

 

[IceBergSLiM]

Do you plan on grad school? I know plenty of people that did state school >>>> top tier ivy league grad school

 

[MetalMat]

Maybe it make a difference at Ivy Leage schools but honestly big name public schools versus smaller does not make much difference.

I argue with people all the time that a degree from where I went to college (UL Lafayette) versus the much bigger SEC school (LSU) is pretty much the same.

 

[Rudee]

As long as the Diploma/Degree doesn't have the words "DeVry" or "ITT Tech" on it, you'll be ok.

 

[invidia]

Anything below a PhD or MD, doesn't matter much what grad school it was.

 

[2Xtreme21]

If you go to CMU you gotta deal with this abomination in the middle of your campus:

 

[Chris27]

If you go to CMU you gotta deal with this abomination in the middle of your campus:

Now its even bigger...

To compare--
Me (University of Pittsburgh):
Tuition Costs for 8 semesters -- ~$96,000
My loan balance (at graduation) -- ~$52,000
My starting salary (job landed 3 months after graduation) -- $46,500/yr

My buddy (Carnegie Mellon):
Tuition Costs for 8 semesters -- ~$440,000
His loan balance (upon graduation) -- ~$175,000
His starting salary (job landed immediately after graduation) -- $105,000/yr

Good luck with whatever you choose. If you end up moving to Pittsburgh, hit me up and I'll give you some insider info.

Sorry but that's a load of B.S. Total cost of tuition, room/board, food, and school supplies is under $50k a year so the max you will have to pay for an undergrad degree is $200k. However, since the tuition is high, the financial aid office is much more generous than that of a state school (I qualify for ~$13k/year in grant money). I will end up having ~$24k in subsidized loans after I finish my C.S. undergrad degree.

CMU has a ton of really great professors, facilities, and a great environment. I do not regret coming here.

 

[alkemyst]

That does seem high for Carnegie...it's posted that its a little over 18k a semester for undergrad..room and board is variable, but that'd be staying like a baller.

Is this for graduate though? Some graduate programs I am sure can hit that threshold esp with special fees/supplies/etc needed.

 

[2Xtreme21]

That does seem high for Carnegie...it's posted that its a little over 18k a semester for undergrad..room and board is variable, but that'd be staying like a baller.

Is this for graduate though? Some graduate programs I am sure can hit that threshold esp with special fees/supplies/etc needed.

Tuition Fees per semester.

 

[2Xtreme21]

Tuition Fees per semester.

$53,660 * 8 = $429,280.

That's pretty darn close to what I estimated...

And yes, I'm aware that financial aid is pretty good with CMU. Hence why he only owes about 1/3 of what his tuition was.


Err... meant to edit, not quote my last post.

 

[alkemyst]

Tuition Fees per semester.

you failed son, prior to even enrolling.

These are yearly amounts, they even gave you that each unit is $560.

I will give you a second chance to go back to your desk and fix your answer though.

 

[2Xtreme21]

you failed son, prior to even enrolling.

These are yearly amounts, they even gave you that each unit is $560.

I will give you a second chance to go back to your desk and fix your answer though.

Unit @ CMU != credit (as in some classes are 6 units, etc.). But yes, you're most likely right it's per year. Me fail.

 

[alkemyst]

Unit @ CMU != credit (as in some classes are 6 units, etc.). But yes, you're most likely right it's per year. Me fail.

regardless that's the average YEARLY tuition posted. You go above and beyond expect to pay a bit more. I strongly doubt anyone is going to double the average load and if they do the overall total tuition is likely to be less as room and board is a shorter length.

 

[Chris27]

regardless that's the average YEARLY tuition posted. You go above and beyond expect to pay a bit more. I strongly doubt anyone is going to double the average load and if they do the overall total tuition is likely to be less as room and board is a shorter length.

Full-time students pay a flat rate for tuition. It's only when you are not full-time that you pay per unit (credit hour).

 

[edro]

If you go to OSU, you will have the right to scream O-H ! at random people for the rest of your life.

 

[xeemzor]

If you go to OSU, you will have the right to scream O-H ! at random people for the rest of your life.

I was in the London National History Museum and someone yelled OH at me when I looking at the exhibits last summer.

<3 Ohio State.