UTSA or Texas State San Marcos (San Antonio, Schertz: house, schools, university)

[joe123456]

My wife is in the process of choosing between attending UTSA or Texas State San Marcos. She will be finishing a degree in mathematics (applied) and either a minor or double major in computer science. The distance to travel to both schools is about the same. However, I figure 1604 and 281 can get backlogged at times. While the commute from Schertz/Cibolo to Texas State shouldn't be that bad.

Need some advice/input:

1. Commute from Schertz/Cibolo UTSA or is it an easier commute from Schertz/Cibolo to Texas State San Marcos?

2. Computer Science department UTSA or Texas State?

3. Math department UTSA or Texas State?

4. Overall academics UTSA or Texas State?

5. Overall job placement rate UTSA or Texas State?

6. Reputation UTSA or Texas State?

7. Which school would you attend? Why?


Thank you!

[WilGar]

Originally Posted by joe123456

My wife is in the process of choosing between attending UTSA or Texas State San Marcos. She will be finishing a degree in mathematics (applied) and either a minor or double major in computer science. The distance to travel to both schools is about the same. However, I figure 1604 and 281 can get backlogged at times. While the commute from Schertz/Cibolo to Texas State shouldn't be that bad.

Need some advice/input:

1. Commute from Schertz/Cibolo UTSA or is it an easier commute from Schertz/Cibolo to Texas State San Marcos?

2. Computer Science department UTSA or Texas State?

3. Math department UTSA or Texas State?

4. Overall academics UTSA or Texas State?

5. Overall job placement rate UTSA or Texas State?

6. Reputation UTSA or Texas State?

7. Which school would you attend? Why?


Thank you!

I am popping pop corn and propping my feet up on the ottoman. This will be interesting.

[miche111e]

I am not familiar with the academics at Texas State. I went to UT but am not to familiar with UTSA, except that for my Master's degree, I took an online class from UTSA. That's what I wanted to get at: I am not sure if UTSA combines online classes and campus classes. But if they do, your wife may be able to take a couple online classes to supplement the campus classes, and save gas that way. Just a thought. Way back when, I believe the whole UT consortium's online website was (edit to add website) http://www.telecampus.utsystem.edu/.
Good luck with your decision!

[ashbeeigh]

Just my little story here..I have a friend who majored in computer science who landed a job at USAA before even graduating with the same degrees. This was in 2006, he now owns a house and is happy as could be.

I'd pick Texas state for the atmosphere over UTSA, though. I don't know much about the academics.

[wCat]

Originally Posted by wilgar

i am popping pop corn and propping my feet up on the ottoman. This will be interesting.

lmao!~

[cwh]

Originally Posted by joe123456

1. Commute from Schertz/Cibolo UTSA or is it an easier commute from Schertz/Cibolo to Texas State San Marcos?

2. Computer Science department UTSA or Texas State?

3. Math department UTSA or Texas State?

4. Overall academics UTSA or Texas State?

5. Overall job placement rate UTSA or Texas State?

6. Reputation UTSA or Texas State?

7. Which school would you attend? Why?


Thank you!

1. Commutes are not going to be radically different.
2. Texas State, but I am biased. BS and MS in CS at Texas State.
3. No Opinion.
4. No Opinion.
5. I have never had a problem finding a job.
6. Texas State has a very reputable CS dept.
7. For CS I would not hesitate do Texas State again. However I know nothing the UTSA program.

[wCat]

Originally Posted by joe123456

My wife is in the process of choosing between attending UTSA or Texas State San Marcos. She will be finishing a degree in mathematics (applied) and either a minor or double major in computer science. The distance to travel to both schools is about the same. However, I figure 1604 and 281 can get backlogged at times. While the commute from Schertz/Cibolo to Texas State shouldn't be that bad.

Need some advice/input:

1. Commute from Schertz/Cibolo UTSA or is it an easier commute from Schertz/Cibolo to Texas State San Marcos?

2. Computer Science department UTSA or Texas State?

3. Math department UTSA or Texas State?

4. Overall academics UTSA or Texas State?

5. Overall job placement rate UTSA or Texas State?

6. Reputation UTSA or Texas State?

7. Which school would you attend? Why?


Thank you!

Well...Joe...I'm sorry you didn't get more feed back here.

We have connections to both, and the comments are a close tie....and that's specifically between UTSA and Texas State.

Texas State (formerly known as Southwest Texas State University) student population is close to 30,000 and growing. It used to have a reputation as being as being a "party" school, but entrance requirements have gotten much tighter. Students are no longer a "shoe in" if they apply. It also used to have a huge emphasis on being known for it's excellent "Education" department...but as one poster pointed out, it's expanding in all departments.

As far as commuting...which UTSA campus? Downtown or the 1604 location?
Either way, I would guess San Marcos would be an easier commute if you live north of FM3009 in Cibolo. Texas State also has a student commuter bus system between San Marcos and San Antonio and there may be a bus stop location near you.

The traffic on 1604 and I35 from Cibolo to either UTSA campus could be a nightmare, depending on class times. An 8 o'clock class would require an early head start.

That being said.....UTSA has an excellent reputation as part of the University of Texas system. Comparing Math departments would require you to do more in depth homework more specific to what your wife is seeking.

Don't forget about A&M's SA campus.

[deadcoder]

Originally Posted by joe123456

My wife is in the process of choosing between attending UTSA or Texas State San Marcos. She will be finishing a degree in mathematics (applied) and either a minor or double major in computer science. The distance to travel to both schools is about the same. However, I figure 1604 and 281 can get backlogged at times. While the commute from Schertz/Cibolo to Texas State shouldn't be that bad.

Need some advice/input:

1. Commute from Schertz/Cibolo UTSA or is it an easier commute from Schertz/Cibolo to Texas State San Marcos?

2. Computer Science department UTSA or Texas State?

3. Math department UTSA or Texas State?

4. Overall academics UTSA or Texas State?

5. Overall job placement rate UTSA or Texas State?

6. Reputation UTSA or Texas State?

7. Which school would you attend? Why?


Thank you!

2. Computer Science department UTSA or Texas State?

UTSA in every respect when you are comparing with CS dept of Texas State. I'm from the CS dept of UTSA and one of my friend was graduated from Texas State. UTSA's CS program is currently the biggest program of UTSA(Biology, another one but they have two different programs). Again, most of the UTSA CS's faculty are graduated from top ranked school. Funding success of the department is very promising.

UTSA Research: Growing computer science funding > UTSA Today > University of Texas at San Antonio

Computer science faculty celebrate record NSF grants > UTSA Today > University of Texas at San Antonio

Am I biased? I don't think so. If you do some little investigations and comparisons between those two departments then I'm sure, you'll get the same answer....

hope it helps....

best of luck

[Lester81]

I'm a proud Bobcat alum having both my Bachelors('03) and Masters('05) degrees from Texas State (SWT), and communted from San Antonio to San Marcos for much of my last year of graduate school.

That said, you can get a great education at either TxState or UTSA, it all depends on both what you put in to it and what you take from it.

My suggestion is to take a look at the course offerings, beyond the basics and the core classes for your degree. Line those elective courses up with what kind of job you want your degree to get you. Does she want to teach math? TxState, with their proved Edu focus might be best.

Good luck and Go Bobcats!

[713 to 210]

I have nothing but perception to give you. However, perception means a lot when looking for a job. Texas State is perceived to be much more of a college atmosphere than UTSA. UTSA is still stuck with the "commuter school" label. Also, Texas State has much more history and tradition and perhaps a bit more clout in the state being a flagship university. With that said, UTSA is a fine school and is gaining momentum every year.

I'd boil it down to this - I think UTSA grads would find it easier getting a job in SA than Texas State grads. However, I think Texas State grads would have it easier outside of SA. Just my 2 cents from an outsider's perspective.