Hi, I’m having a hard time deciding between Virginia Tech & Lehigh for computer science. Ultimately, I want to pursue cybersecurity, but my major at both of these schools is CS. I may also consider a double major/minor in business. Cost is not an issue here, given that the COAs are very similar and my parents are willing to pay. I am just trying to understand which school has a better program and will give me better opportunities.
VT has a good computer science program and is ranked in the top 30 (I think?) for CS. It’s also close to Northern VA & DC, so defense contractors come to recruit. They also have a very good cybersecurity research lab. However, VT is far away from home (I live in NJ), and it is a big state school, so I don’t know how well I’d fit in.
Lehigh is a private school, so it’s definitely a more close-knit community. From what I’ve heard, the CS program is decent, but the CSB program is better, or at least, has better starting salaries. I might apply to CSB after the fall semester of my freshman year. Lehigh is a more selective university, closer to home, and I absolutely love the campus.
I don’t know which school is better reputed for computer science/cybersecurity. I don’t know which school will give me better connections, internship, co-op, & research opportunities, and jobs. Going purely based on academic program & opportunities, which school would be better?