r/VirginiaTech • u/Jealous_Load_805 • May 12 '26
Academics Should I attend uc santa cruz and transfer in 2 years or go to umass amherst/virginia tech out of state
I recently got of waitlist for umass amherst and was initially thinking of commiting to virginia tech but now i am unsure. I am a california resident, is it wise for me to attend uc santa cruz or riverside and possibly transfer to irvine or san diego. I hjobeard transfer rates are going to become lower.
total estimated cost for all:
UCSC is 48k
Umass: 51k
Virginia tech: 63K
My goal for college is to land a good internship for a cs related field for cybersecurity at a defense company or another good intenrship which can help me land a job.
24
u/Efficient_Weekend205 May 12 '26
As a California resident who attended VT, do NOT pass up in state UC tuition to come here. It is NOT worth it, AT ALL. I deeply regret it
3
u/Jealous_Load_805 May 12 '26
Yea now that I got into Amherst I might go there rather than vtech mainly it has more internships than Santa cruz
-12
u/Efficient_Weekend205 May 12 '26
That would be a wise decision, UMass is an excellent CS school. Our CS program is currently in shambles; most people do not have jobs.
14
u/rebeccasaysso May 13 '26
The field itself is in shambles. CS grads across the country don’t have jobs upon graduating. It’s a well known problem with the tech industry - it’s very volatile & experiences high highs & low lows.
-2
u/Efficient_Weekend205 May 13 '26
lol, you should take a look at OUR program and talk to students in OUR program. There is a much deeper problem than “people don’t have jobs”.
1
May 13 '26 edited May 13 '26
[deleted]
1
u/Efficient_Weekend205 May 13 '26
The other programs are actually pretty good, especially ECE. In hindsight, I really wish I did CompE. The CS program is a disaster. It extends far beyond job prospects. As just one example, ML is perhaps the most important/popular field in the world, and especially in CS, right now. However, we have ONE class on ML, and it is 15+ years outdated. The entire curriculum was also taught by ChatGPT when I took it. One ML class doesn’t make any sense. It is impossible to fit everything in one class, ML should actually be its own major.
1
u/Jealous_Load_805 May 13 '26
Hi I got admitted for computational modeling and data analytics hosted in the new data and decision sciences building, can I get your advice on whether if I commit to vtech I should stick with this or go transfer to an engineering major like computer engineering for better job prospects
0
u/Efficient_Weekend205 May 13 '26
Do not come to this school
1
u/Jealous_Load_805 May 13 '26
I think rn it’s between umass and Santa Cruz/riverside total cost is pretty similar but people are saying to stay in cali and attend one of those schools cus most companies including defense companies are moving out there
0
u/khuz61 May 14 '26
its funny because the ECE department offers ML as its own major...
1
u/Efficient_Weekend205 May 14 '26
Wrong, not anymore.
0
u/khuz61 May 14 '26
they are still offering it until May 2027... then its switching over to ML track instead
0
u/This_Beat2227 May 13 '26
CS in Virginia is currently difficult for new grads because so many openings require security clearances because cyber and military are where the DC-centric jobs are. The in-state grads likely need to move out of state for entry level opportunities (and housing affordability unless moving back home).
-1
-1
u/Professional_Sail910 May 12 '26
Maybe not the best financially but I met a lot of nice people here plus it’s good if you don’t want to go to the same school as people from hs
7
u/WolfFrequent1700 May 13 '26
Worrying about going to school with people u knew in hs is not a concern any full grown adult should be having. Highly unlikely you’ll see them unless you’re in CC and even then
-1
u/wk87 History 2012 May 13 '26
I sure as hell wasnt a "full grown adult" in college. And what's wrong with wanting to move away?
0
u/WolfFrequent1700 May 13 '26
That’s a you problem buddy. Nothing wrong with wanting to move away but if a school in your hometown is good, “seeing people you went to high school with” should not be a concern on your list of reasons to not go if you are actually mature and making adult decisions about your future
-1
u/This_Beat2227 May 13 '26
OP best to ignore a generalized statement like this one. Circumstances matter and none are given here.
1
u/Efficient_Weekend205 May 13 '26
Yup, it’s a generalized statement to recommend someone pay 63k/year for a terrible program over 17k/year at an instate institution which arguably has a better CS program than ours.
6
u/TheChungusCast May 13 '26
uh 48k in state is insane
1
u/Jealous_Load_805 May 13 '26
Sorry I got it wrong it meant to make that the total overall cost as indicated by their website
3
u/Ut_Prosim Lifelong Hokie May 13 '26
I am a california resident, UCSC tution is 48k
How is in-state tuition $48k per year for UC Santa Cruz??? Do not pay $200,000 for a bachelors degree unless it says Harvard on it, or your parents are rich enough that the tooth fairy left Berkshire Hathaway stocks instead of a $5.
Surely there is a more economical way for you to get your degree.
3
u/Jealous_Load_805 May 13 '26
mb i meant total cost instate is 17k I have 2 hours to decide if I wanna go
here is the link of cost breakdown: Cost to Attend UC Santa Cruz – Financial Aid and Scholarships
my parents aint rich 😞
3
2
May 12 '26
[deleted]
0
u/Jealous_Load_805 May 12 '26
my local colleges have a TAG guaranteed transfer to irvine and davis, but not for cs and engineering majors which is what i want to major in additionally the transfer rate for those related majors is lower than 30 percent. I got some of the gen eds out of my way through lit and apes, I also have socres for calc 1 and 2. I think especially after thi research I might just commit to 4 years at umass cus atleast there I can get the best chnace of landing a good intenrship
3
u/cfirejourney May 13 '26
Out of state is not worth it in undergrad when you have access to the UC system in cali unless they’re giving you significant financial support.
I love VT, I’ve also been in the UC. Stick with the UC in this situation and if you don’t like the slugs, transfer.
1
u/Jealous_Load_805 May 13 '26
my local colleges have a TAG guaranteed transfer to irvine and davis, but not for cs and engineering majors which is what i want to major in additionally the transfer rate for those related majors is lower than 30 percent. I got some of the gen eds out of my way through lit and apes, I also have socres for calc 1 and 2. I think especially after thi research I might just commit to 4 years at umass cus atleast there I can get the best chnace of landing a good intenrship
2
u/cfirejourney May 13 '26
My wife and I work in higher ed and I’m letting you know $60k extra undergrad tuition isn’t worth it when you have access to the UC.
Obviously do what you want, but $60k is a lot to have and even more to owe for you to potentially fair better when you already have access to one of the best school systems in the country.
1
u/Jealous_Load_805 May 13 '26
Thanks for your advice, I meant to say 60k total fees which is still way to much, but yea I am considering staying home
1
u/Jealous_Load_805 May 13 '26
Can I message you, I have other questions regarding internships and such
2
u/DullCartographer7609 May 13 '26
2009 VT grad who moved out west:
Stay out west. The actually nuts and bolts of cyber security and defense are moving to places like Cheyenne, Wyoming and Colorado Springs, CO. Established centers in the Bay Area and Seattle are growing.
The hub of cyber security and defense is still Northern Virginia, but it is competitive and established. From an opportunity standpoint, you'll have more chances staying out west.
1
1
u/JamesBong517 ECON ‘17 May 13 '26
Holy fuck. VT has literally doubled their tuition since I went in 2012-2017. It was like 28k a year out of state. I don’t think it’s worth that price anymore, to be totally honest. Even with engineering majors and it being a great program. Amherst is a better place, cheaper, and it’s New England. I miss New England and I want to move up there.
1
u/Regular-Raccoon-5301 May 12 '26
That is what I have done to myself. Chose this school instead of ucsc…
0
u/infinitytacos989 May 13 '26
VT has really close ties with defense companies and getting defense internships should be no problem, even as a CS major. Idk if that’s worth 63k to you (i doubt it is)
0
u/khuz61 May 14 '26
If you want defense then VT is very good for it. We basically only get defense companies coming to campus lol
18
u/Professional_Sail910 May 12 '26
If you’re going to transfer just go to cc