<p>The difference between computer science and computer engineering are slight in some schools and vastly different in others. I suspect it depends in part of the department’s origins. Some evolved out of math departments while others out of electrical engineering. You should know, however, that computer science/engineering goes beyond the programming that most people associate with it. My husband is a computer science professor, and he always bristles when people assume he teaches students how to use Powerpoint and program in Java script. Instead, he creates novel solutions to existing problems, whether through hardware or software. (Hardware is often the realm of engineering, and algorithms/software the realm of computer science, but again, the division isn’t always clear.) </p>
<p>NewHope33 makes some excellent points about fit within a given university’s departments. What does your son really want to study? You should also determine whether a given school is more grad student oriented than undergrad, as some excellent grad programs don’t measure up for the undergrads.</p>