<p>You’re comparing apples with oranges when you compare a non-traditional “working adult” school like Strayer with a major research university like U of Maryland. Make sure you consider all of the pro’s and con’s of each choice thoroughly.</p>
<p>First, keep one thing in mind when reading those salary numbers: Strayer is a school for “working adults” so those numbers reflect their years of working experience. They tell you nothing about what someone without work experience seeking an entry level job — in other words, someone like you – can expect to earn when you graduate. All those numbers tell you is “we have many students who were already making a decent salary before they started here” In other words, they don’t tell you the value of a Strayer degree, how much additional graduates make upon graduation, or what the average STARTING salary for a graduate without work experience is. For comparison, you might want to ask the UMd. career advising office and the UMd. department of computer science what the average starting salaries are for recent graduates. Then ask Strayer the correct question: what is the average starting salary for recent graduates without prior work experience.</p>
<p>Another thing to look into: what career placement services does each school offer? Again, go over and ask at both schools to see what type of help each will give you when you’re preparing to look for that first job. Ask specifically about employers that typically recruit on campus. </p>
<p>The next thing to consider is who will be teaching you. Strayer, according to its website, uses mostly “adjunct” part time faculty. They stress that many of their faculty members are also “working adults.” This is very different from UMd. where the majority of faculty members have terminal degrees in their field, have conducted research in their field, and are full time faculty members. It is difficult to form relationships, or even get help, from part time faculty and it is likely that many will not be around when you’re thinking about graduate school or looking for recommendations for your first job. I’d suggest you look closely at the comp. sci program faculty bios at both schools to see what type of research they are doing, and what their background is.</p>
<p>Also, look into the research and internship opportunities in comp. sci at both schools. You want to go to a school where you can get as much “hands on” experience while attending as possible. One benefit to Strayer may be that you can get a full time job while attending, but if you do not already have experience in comp. sci. it is unlikely that it will be directly related to your degree or career plans. So, check out research and internship opportunities at both schools. </p>
<p>At Strayer, you’ll be surrounded by working adults who will come for class and then leave. It will be difficult, if not impossible, to form friendships with people your own age. You’ll also have less access to libraries and other educational resources.</p>
<p>Finally, compare costs very carefully. If you need financial aid, make sure you will qualify and that it will include grants you qualify for, not just loans.
Schools like Strayer operate on a for-profit basis. In other words, their goal is to make money off of each and every student. So make sure you understand what that will mean in terms of the cost of your degree.</p>
<p>Good luck – only you can decide if this is the right option for you, but please make sure you are comparing the right things, and dig deeper than just the marketing hype.</p>