Data Science programs UVA vs George Mason

[avocado44]

Hello everyone!

So I've been accepted into both schools online Data Science/Data Analytics Engineering  programs. I'm having a difficult time deciding which to pick. My end goal is to move into a PhD program in computational neuroscience/cognitive psychology upon completing the program.  I didn't expect to get accepted into UVA so once I got GMU's acceptance I accepted and was registered for my first class so if I decide to switch programs it would be a bit of process.

A few points to consider:

- UVA's program will leave me with double the out-of-pocket(~14.5k vs 7.3k)  cost even after my current employers generous tuition reimbursement (10k per calendar year). 

- GMU has a start date of June 1st and UVA is for Fall 2020.

- Both programs would have the same graduation date of Spring '22 despite staggered start times

- UVA offers two machine learning classes while GMU does not

- UVA's curriculum only allows for two electives but GMU's allows for half your course load to be elective

I guess I'm kind of caught up on the out of pocket cost to justify making the switch but in the end I want to make the best decision for my future academic goals.

 

Thanks for reading!