<p>For what it’s worth, once you have some professional experience in software engineering, where you went to school isn’t going to matter any more; just that you went to school. I would dismiss that concern in your deliberations. </p>
<p>I don’t know Pittsburgh, but is $500/month rent realistic, even with a roommate? Does Pitt provide an estimate of room and board expenses for students not living on campus?</p>
<p>Don’t assume that you will get the average need-based award. Use the net price calculators at the school to get a better picture of your actual net cost at each school.</p>