Computer Engineering Schools? Jobs? (St. Cloud, Warren: credit, how much, transfer to)

[mickydidymus]

I plan to move from TN to attend a Computer Engineering program in Minnesota. I have narrowed school choices down to St Cloud State University and the U. I am writing because I am not finding much information comparing CompE programs between these two schools. I am also very interested about CompE job prospects in the Twin Cities (or anywhere else in MN for that matter).

If both schools are ABET accredited and I plan to stay in the TC, does it even matter whether I spring the extra $28,000 for a nationally recognized degree. OR, can I save my money and do just as well as other engineers in the field.

[golfgal]

St. Cloud State has a good reputation in the midwest in many areas. I don't think you will suffer for lack of jobs upon graduation if you are planning on staying in the region. The U of MN will not garner you more opportunities over St. Cloud State, assuming you do will in school no matter where you go. It's certainly not worth that much more no matter what you study.

[Beenhere4ever]

My question would be "does an instate degree really buy you any advantage in a Minnesota job?" I worked in IT with people who graduated from a much smaller school in North Dakota. So how much to pay just to live in this region? At US Bank, I was working with guys who got trained in India's IIM schools. Other side of the world and beat out local grads. Wouldn't want to live for years in India, I suppose, but maybe get cheaper tuition somewhere else. Years ago, when I was in the job search mode, one of the things they suggested was talking to people who make hiring decisions to find out if the source of your degree really is a critical factor in choosing one candidate over another. You come to a company as a total stranger, fresh out of school, no hands on experience. Will "U of M graduate" compensate for all your drawbacks?

[mickydidymus]

Originally Posted by Beenhere4ever

My question would be "does an instate degree really buy you any advantage in a Minnesota job?"... You come to a company as a total stranger, fresh out of school, no hands on experience. Will "U of M graduate" compensate for all your drawbacks?

My reasoning follows a decision to move to MN first, then get degree (or whatever credential) later. My plan to move to MN is independent from the desire to attend school. In other words, I know A) I want to live in the TC area and B) I want to get into Computer Engineering. I guess these two schools appeared desirable because they were in and around the TC area.

Herein lies the dilemma I think you were getting at: whether or not a MN degree will afford a better position at all in an even lesser known school than SCSU. I honestly don't have an answer for that one. I will say that once upon a time I was researching law schools (I have since abandoned those efforts!!), and found that while graduates who attended top ranking schools got first dibs on job offers, many ended up in jobs right next to kids who went to the "budget-degree" schools. My question is whether or not the CompE/IT/CS field is similar in that SCSU's CompE program is cheaper and just as likely to land you a job as UofM.

[Beenhere4ever]

My friend, Roger, moved TO TN for a computer engineering job. I thought high tech was what made things like the Nashville Predators and Memphis Grizzlies possible. But maybe its six of one and half dozen of the other. There's some weather in TN we don't quite get there. Things like flooded out cities.

[golfgal]

Neither program will land you a job faster than the other. Law school is an entirely different beast and while going to a top law school is important if you want a job in New York or LA, going to William Mitchell or Hamline if you want to work in MN would be just fine too.

Save the money and go to SCSU.

[Beenhere4ever]

Warren Burger and Harry Blackmun made it to the Supreme Court from William Mitchell. High recommendation.

[northsub]

You could go to a community college for the first two years. Then transfer to whichever of the four year schools. You would then have the degree from the four year school for a lot less cost.

[golfgal]

Originally Posted by northsub

You could go to a community college for the first two years. Then transfer to whichever of the four year schools. You would then have the degree from the four year school for a lot less cost.

Unless you need financial aid or get merit awards then the community college route is often more expensive.

[cgy1]

Originally Posted by mickydidymus

I plan to move from TN to attend a Computer Engineering program in Minnesota. I have narrowed school choices down to St Cloud State University and the U. I am writing because I am not finding much information comparing CompE programs between these two schools. I am also very interested about CompE job prospects in the Twin Cities (or anywhere else in MN for that matter).

If both schools are ABET accredited and I plan to stay in the TC, does it even matter whether I spring the extra $28,000 for a nationally recognized degree. OR, can I save my money and do just as well as other engineers in the field.

I graduated with a computer engineering degree from a Big 10 school. I have never heard of St. Cloud State's computer engineering program. The U's computer engineering program is good but not great, but with the Big 10/flagship state school brand you'll have much better job prospects with a degree from the U than from St. Cloud State.

However, given that you're from Tennessee, why not go in-state at UT-Knoxville? Or consider other schools in the midwest with more prestigious computer engineering programs such as Illinois?