MS CS UCLA vs USC

[raichu0205]

Hello,

 

I've been admitted into UCLA and USC's MS CS program but I'm having a really hard time deciding which school is best for me.

 

I have a Minor in CS from college, and I've been admitted into USC's CSES (Scientist and Engineer track) MS Program, which seems to me like a program that fits my background. I've also heard that USC has a much larger endowment and smaller student to faculty ratio compared to UCLA. 

 

From what I've been reading online though, UCLA seems to still be the more reputable school and I definitely like the area around UCLA more than USC. I'm a bit concerned about the financial situation in UCLA (such as professors leaving because they weren't being paid enough or students unable to graduate college in 4 years) but I'm not sure how much this will affect my graduate studies.

 

Feedback and pros and cons for both schools will be very appreciated!! Thanks in advance!

 

[warprin]

Did UCLA recently have professors leave because of salary issues? Or was it just one professor who wasn't happy? I wouldn't let that bother me. If the grad students there are happy with the program, that's what matters. Do you have funding?

[raichu0205]

Nope I will not be receiving funding from either schools. 

[raichu0205]

if anybody can share any stories or has personal experiences of the two programs at either schools it'll be greatly appreciated!!

[PhDerp]

I've also heard that USC has a much larger endowment and smaller student to faculty ratio compared to UCLA.

I can't speak for UCLA, but USC has a lot of students per 500-level CS course. At the USC visit day, they told us to expect ~80 person classes since we'll be lumped in with master's students for our breadth courses.