MSIT-SE@CMU vs. MCS@UIUC vs. ECE(SE Track)@UT-Austin

[cpefectkingy]

All these are masters. I aim to find a CS job in USA, this is also why I apply for these. The following information is what I can find now, but I really don't know how to choose and which one is more fit.

 

1. CMU(MSIT-SE) : 12-MONTH, 3-semester (including summer term) program, total tuition cost $60k. this university is great for a CS student, but what this program taught is basically the software development process, how to design, how to prevent from certain design fault, how to make documentation to be clear and concise, and so on. I feel it is somehow tend to focus more on management skills than technical skills (programming, algorithms, databases). And I need to learn 6 courses at the 1st semester, while usually people only take 4 within a semester. This shows that these courses are not as good as those high reputations courses such as 15213 computer systems....I am afraid that after I have paid so much and spend one year to learn such courses, I would not be able to find a job since my technical skills are poor...

 

2. UIUC(MCS) : 1.5 years 3-semester, total tuition cost $43.5k. This university is less competitive than CMU, however, I can have a summer intern before a full-time job, which I will have a higher chance to find a job eventually. Moreover, I will have a normal CS master degree and select any CS courses as I like, although I am not able to pursue a PHD with it as well as no financial aid.  

 

3. UT-Austin(ECE-SE Track) : 1.5 years total tuition cost $30k. This university is so how like UIUC, but cheaper in tuition and living expense. It is great place for EE student, especially for circuit design, architecture or something. One problem of this program is this ECE seems do not have many CS courses....

 

Please help me to decide which one is more suitable for me...Thank you very much!