Computer science major at The college of new jersey (degree, reputation, costs)

[staph5]

Hi every body;
I am moving next month with my family (my wife and 2 kids) to Trenton NJ for a new job I just got. I want to pursue my study in one of the colleges/universities in New Jersey. I am considering either Rutgers university or The college of New Jersey. How is computer science major in these 2 colleges? I heard lots of reputation on Rutgers university however TCNJ is strong too according to certain web sites.

[jobaba]

Originally Posted by staph5

Hi every body;
I am moving next month with my family (my wife and 2 kids) to Trenton NJ for a new job I just got. I want to pursue my study in one of the colleges/universities in New Jersey. I am considering either Rutgers university or The college of New Jersey. How is computer science major in these 2 colleges? I heard lots of reputation on Rutgers university however TCNJ is strong too according to certain web sites.

For undergrad or grad school?

First off, you have to apply to get in.

2nd off, it it's undergrad, Rutgers really doesn't offer full night class schedules for undergraduate. And it's probably even less likely for TCNJ.

[OdysseusNY]

rutgers if other considerations (price, convenience, you are admitted to both, etc) are equal for you

some employers won't have ever heard of TCNJ. almost all will have heard of rutgers, at least in the northeast

[plmokn]

I would attend the college that was significantly less cost to you including commuting costs of money and time (you have a family and kids). Otherwise, if everything else is equal, I'd chose Rutgers for name recognition.

Spending lots of extra money and time probably won't make that much difference career wise but the debt and hassle probably wouldn't be worth it.

[staph5]

Thank you guys.

[CaptainHastings]

Originally Posted by OdysseusNY

rutgers if other considerations (price, convenience, you are admitted to both, etc) are equal for you

some employers won't have ever heard of TCNJ. almost all will have heard of rutgers, at least in the northeast

Spot on, a C.S degree from Rutgers in more prestigious.
I am pleasantly surprised that its C.S prgram is ranked 28th in the nation (tied with NYU) Ranking. Although all ranking must be taken with a grain of salt.

Further, Rutgers' curriculum will be more intense than TCNJ. After being admitted to Rutgers, you would have to be "admitted" to the C.S program which requires achieving a grade of "C" or better in 5 core courses. TCNJ doesn't seem to have this requirement.

Also, when I graduated in 2001, Rutgers C.S program was very theoritical. As in, they expected you to know atleast one programming language at the onset (it may have been changed as it was really tough to come from high school having done "BASIC" and be expected to code in java).

So really depends on what you wish to do with a degree. Looks like you already have a job are you looking to change careers?

Degree from Rutgers will open more opportunities, however will be tougher. Degree from TCNJ may not open as many opportunities but will be easier to procure.

Best wishes!

[jobaba]

Originally Posted by CaptainHastings

Further, Rutgers' curriculum will be more intense than TCNJ. After being admitted to Rutgers, you would have to be "admitted" to the C.S program which requires achieving a grade of "C" or better in 5 core courses. TCNJ doesn't seem to have this requirement.

You mean, Rutgers requires its Computer Science students to pass their core classes in order to graduate with the major?

That is intense!

[Yuptag]

I would go with NJIT.

[NJBest]

If you want legacy prestige, go to Rutgers. If you want to learn, neither of the schools are sufficient. Rutgers has more research opportunity... where 80+ of a college education comes from. TCNJ will probably be limited to classroom learning.

[nybbler]

Rutgers is the obvious choice over TCNJ.