JHU [$44k] vs Rice [$26k] UPDATED(Aid Appeal Approved) [computer science]

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Intended major: Computer Science but would love to double major in electrical engineering
Dream School of the two: JHU

Johns Hopkins

Pros:

  • Out-of-State college location
  • Ability to double major in the fields I want
  • Very Prestigious
  • Wonderful opportunities for interdisciplinary study/research(especially in the biological fields)

Cons:

  • More expensive option of the two(44k yearly: would most likely have to work due to my financial situation)
    *Supposedly not as good of FAANG connections but I have heard that the opportunities are definitely there
    *Main library being remodeled

Rice

Pros:

  • Full tuition scholarship due to financial aid and merit(netting my costs near 26k yearly - would not have to work a job)
  • Slightly better Tech connections supposedly
  • “More Fun”

Cons:

  • In-State
  • No ability to double major for the fields I am interested in
  • Not as highly ranked
  • Weather is atrocious
  • Interdisciplinary study not as viable but still present
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If you have to work (Not easy) and money matters - it seems a no brainer Rice. You can likely pick up a minor or electives in your second area.

The world has grown beyond Faang - and frankly, Faang and CS are one part of the economy not happening now - so there are never assurances - there’s a thread on this in fact.

So - save your money since it’s limited for you.

Best of luck.

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Adding old thread for context

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To add: when I mention prestige, I am mostly talking about selectivity

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Prestige doesn’t exist - it’s simply what someone thinks.

But I can’t imagine there’s too many that see this schools as very different prestige wise.

But let’s see - you need money - are talking about having to get a job (not easy at a high academic institution) and one saves you $72K over four years - and you don’t have the $72K.

Game over.

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It can matter, if that someone is in a position to affect your life, such as a potential employer or graduate or professional school admission person. Of course, prestige here is very situational, and not necessarily matched to typical college prestige rankings.

Computing and engineering employers tend to be less college prestige focused than in some other industries, and what prestige is considered is specific to computer science and engineering at the colleges.

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My point is - it’s based on perception - and that’s to each his own.

In this case, OP has financial difficulties and two strong schools with exemplary names (for those who have heard of them).

So two people could choose differently with sound logic.

But OP has monetary issues and is talking about - if I take the more expensive - I can get a job.

hmmm - don’t put yourself in a box. Rice and cheaper is a FANTASTIC option, even if you can’t do the double major.

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I looked back at the previous thread and saw the essentially universal support for Rice among these two options. I’m not sure if you reposted to try to see if you get different opinions. :slight_smile: Count me in the group that stays with Rice.

Reiterating and amplifying a few other comments:

  • Rice and JHU are both highly-regarded prestigious institutions, in CS and EE in particular and as universities in general. Nobody in the world knows where either of them are ranked in USNWR or whatever you’re using to differentiate. Please trust all of us when we say these are essentially equivalent institutions on that level. (It’s worth noting, since you’re in Texas, that the Rice name does carry psychological weight there that JHU does not, if you choose to stay or return.)

  • Both Rice and JHU have strong alumni networks in engineering which will help open up opportunities for you. You will have opportunities to work in FAANG if you choose to go that direction when you graduate. (You will also have lots of other opportunities.)

  • Both schools will allow you to take a significant number of CS and EE classes. I know that Rice’s BS degrees don’t enable you to major in both; I don’t know the details at JHU. I can promise that majoring in one and studying the other, if you still choose to do so, will be more than sufficient for your future life.

  • There will always be buildings being remodeled when you attend a prestigious school. Don’t worry about the library.

  • JHU’s position in the biological sciences is pretty unique; Rice will definitely offer interdisciplinary opportunities if you want them. Both are good, just different.

Essentially you’re looking at two schools that are largely equivalent on the quantitative metrics that matter to you, except for the cost. Is it worth spending $18K/year in order to avoid Houston (both for weather and for proximity to home)? I don’t think any of us here are going to tell you it is, but we aren’t you.

I would not underestimate the value of not having to work a job to afford school, so that if you choose to work during the school year, it’s augmenting your life rather than supporting it.

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I don’t think you are wrong at all to consider prestige. It matters. However, I think in terms of prestige, JHU and Rice are viewed as peers.

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I think I mostly exhausted my thoughts in the last thread, but I don’t recall discussing the climate, and that in fact would be an issue for me with Rice. That is very personal, of course, and obviously plenty of people are voluntarily living in that climate. But I am a Northern/four-real-seasons person.

But again that’s up to you to value. Otherwise, I continue to think Rice sounds as good if not better for you.

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Not for CS. All that matters is your code. I know multiple Google employees that have GEDs.

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