<p>USF is a private school, I see alot of people praise upon it but it doesn’t rank as well as the UCs on rankings excluding Merced. But I want some public opinion, any thoughts?</p>
<p>The only privates really worth ditching UCs for in california, if you can afford it, are probably the claremonts, Caltech, and Stanford. (and to a lesser degree USC)</p>
<p>picking a proper school also depends on what you want out of the school. Heading to grad school? it might make a lot of sense to go to big research university where you can get access to renown faculty in your field. However, if you’re heading into Engineering, and going straight into the job market after your BS, you probably wouldn’t be given any disadvantages by attending Harvey-Mudd as opposed to Berkeley or Stanford.</p>
<p>Wrt to USF, it’s a Catholic U. I had to see if it had a Jesuit background and it does. I don’t know much of the U, but I’m sure some here will. </p>
<p>If you’re feeling the Catholic/Jesuit part of the U, have you thought about Santa Clara U south of SF or even Loyola Marymount U in LA, the Westchester area of LA?. University of San Diego is another Catholic U, but I don’t think it’s Jesuit. </p>
<p>Often times, a Jesuit educated high-schooler wants to continue on within the Jesuit traditions, so note these other Jesuit u’s… Then again, he/she may want to get away from these traditions and the opposite poles would be the UCs.</p>
<p>USF was ranked by US news as a tier 1 school. it most definitely is known and is more well known than the tier 3 UC’s such as santa cruz, merced, and riverside. </p>
<p>If you live in California, then you probably have heard of all the budget cuts to public education. UC’s we’re hit really hard by that and it affects a lot of the students. if you’re planning on going to grad school afterwards then i would strongly recommend going to USF instead of the low tier 3 UC’s that aren’t even regarded in graduate schools.</p>
<p>Santa Cruz and Riverside are Tier 1, and Santa Cruz is actually higher than USF.</p>
<p>Keep in mind that USF has about 5,000 undergraduates - most of the classes sizes are quite a bit smaller than what you will find in a UC school, where you are often just a number. At USF you’ll get a Jesuit education in a world class city. Just some of the reasons my son chose it over UC San Diego, Cal Poly SLO and a few others. He has no regrets.</p>
<p>Santa Cruz and Riverside are Tier 3 schools and are NOWHERE close to tier 1. </p>
<p>Tier 1’s are UCB, UCLA, and UCSD. </p>
<p>USF ranks FAR better than USC, UCR, and UCM. maybe even the tier 2 UC’s like irvine. </p>
<p>UC’s cost just about the same as private schools now even for in state tuition and you’re honestly better off going to a private university instead where your professor would actually know your name.</p>
<p>US News ranks UCSC #72; USF #117.</p>
<p>Could you show us rankings that say otherwise? I’m not arguing, actually I think USF is a little gem, son and I strongly considered it when he was looking. I’m just curious what kind of ranking has it above UCSC. (Riverside I can understand.)</p>
<p>Forbes 2011 America’s top colleges</p>
<p>Ah, I see - Forbes focuses on undergraduate education. Makes sense. Thank you.</p>
<p>College rankings are completely meaningless, so redscarlett11, yelling and screaming “but but but one’s Tier 1 and the other’s Tier 3 so obviously USF is better!!! OMG!!!” is not convincing.</p>
<p>The UC schools are larger and more research-oriented, and certainly better-known regionally and nationally, than USF. If you want a small-college environment, USF is a good bet, although UCSC was deliberately set up with an intimate feel too.</p>
<p>As with everything related to college choices, pointing at some random “ranking” is utterly useless. What really matters is what the prospective student wants out of a college.</p>
<p>Part of this decision does truly rest on what type of college experience you are looking for. Have you toured USF and at least some of the UCs in your reach? USF is a beautiful campus in the heart of San Francisco (one of the most beautiful cities in the country), somewhat midsize. The Jesuit values are present - in addition to striclty academics, they value service to the community and cultural awareness, etc. All religions are welcome and it WILL be part of the educational experience you get from them. I know serveral very happy and nicely employed graduates of USF.</p>
<p>Financials matter too: Their full sticker price including dorm is in the $50,000 year neighborhood. They offer some great merit/financial aid if you qualify. </p>
<p>The UCs are renowned. The obvious top 3 (Cal, UCLA, UCSD) are a great value if you are in state and have the stats to get in. The second tier (UCSB, Santa Cruz, Davis, etc…) are all excellent schools. I know many very happy and nicely employed graduates of them. If you are able, I strongly sugget you go look at a few.</p>