k77s Posted June 16, 2012 Posted June 16, 2012 I'm looking to get an MS in computer science and eventually work in the finance industry (where the reputation of a school is important). I have noticed that spread between school ranking and compSci rankings can be quite large at many universities. My question is: What is more important and why? School ranking or program ranking (absent of all other factors)? Thanks for your time and help!
ponylevel Posted June 17, 2012 Posted June 17, 2012 These assertions can only be made on a case by case basis (and even then with ambiguity). For example, would you pick UIUC over Harvard? I wouldn't. But would I pick CMU over Harvard? Probably.
ANDS! Posted June 17, 2012 Posted June 17, 2012 Program. The top schools all have their "dog" programs, and at the graduate level people KNOW what those programs are. It doesn't make sense to get a low ranked degree from a top ranked school. I would go with the better ranked program any day (of course this assumes all else is equal - which it usually isn't). As the person above said, I'd rather live in MASS than CHAMP.
ponylevel Posted June 18, 2012 Posted June 18, 2012 Because you're going for a masters, it doesn't hurt much to go after the overall brand name. At the end of the day, industry and academia will recognize your school. Even if UIUC was in a nice location, I'd still pick Harvard for the brand (this is despite Harvard's CS rank being much much lower). If you were going for a PhD, then it's mainly about research fit.
k77s Posted June 29, 2012 Author Posted June 29, 2012 I know it was a bit of a vague question, but thanks for the advice. I appreciate it!
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