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Graduate School: public vs. private, shorter vs. longer, expensive vs. inexpensive, CIS vs. CS
Old 03-15-2006, 05:09 PM Graduate School: public vs. private, shorter vs. longer, expensive vs. inexpensive, CIS vs. CS
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I'm not going to make a drawn out post... just going to make a summary that lays it out. I'm so ****ing sick of agonizing over this:

- Two options for grad. school if I decide to go the computer route (interests are Database Admin., Systems Analyst and possibly some Programming... not so much in Network or Desktop Support):

1. Private school, smaller, not widely known outside of the state, MS in Computer Information Systems, 50/50 focus on technology and IT management, excellent learning environment, will take 2-calendar years to complete, cost will be roughly $24,000 for the entire degree.

2. Public school, larger, somewhat known outside of the state, MS is Computer Science, 100% focus on hardcore CS, will take 2.5 or so years of undergrad courses (40 hours of undergrad CS, calculus, etc.) to qualify for acceptance into the program, then another 2 years for the masters (4.5 years total), cost will be roughly $8,000 for the entire degree.

Other, more minor factors: private school is ranked twice as high in masters programs as the public school (U.S. News rankings). Public school is in another city 30 miles away, while the private school is in the same city I live in. I work fulltime and will do all my courses in the evenings/weekends.

The million dollar question: 2 years of school for a CIS degree that will put me 24k in student loan debt, or 4.5 years of school for a CS degree that will put me 8k in student loan debt. Is the CS degree worth more or is the extra 2.5 years in the field worth more?

All input is appreciated. I'll be loading up my shotgun in the meantime.
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Old 03-15-2006, 05:20 PM Re: Graduate School: public vs. private, shorter vs. longer, expensive vs. inexpensive, CIS vs. CS
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Well that is a tough one I’m not in the computer industry per se (Electrical Designer)...I'm also thinking of going back for more eductaion myself... The one good thing about student loans, you get to claim the interest on your taxes

I did however find this for ya not sure if you saw it but it is a discussion on CIS and CS degrees
http://www.daniweb.com/techtalkforums/thread19924.html
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Old 03-15-2006, 06:09 PM Re: Graduate School: public vs. private, shorter vs. longer, expensive vs. inexpensiv
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Quote:
Originally Posted by CasaPages
Well that is a tough one I’m not in the computer industry per se (Electrical Designer)...I'm also thinking of going back for more eductaion myself... The one good thing about student loans, you get to claim the interest on your taxes

I did however find this for ya not sure if you saw it but it is a discussion on CIS and CS degrees
http://www.daniweb.com/techtalkforums/thread19924.html
Thanks for the link
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Old 03-16-2006, 01:08 AM Re: Graduate School: public vs. private, shorter vs. longer, expensive vs. inexpensive, CIS vs. CS
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It is a tough decision and in the end you're the only one that can really make the decision. I think it will depend a lot on where you want to work. If your future employer thinks a masters degree is important then I would think the CS degree would carry more weight than the CIS degree.

However I think with many IT jobs it's less important where you went to school than what you actually know how to do. I think it comes down to 'as long as you can do the job.' Of course I'm not someone who does hiring.

The CIS degree does cost more, but you will have 2 1/2 years to pay that back and get real world experiece which may put you ahead of those graduating at that time for any position you want. I think for most employers the experience counts more, but it will depend a lot on the employer.

I'm not sure if I've really helped at all and just restated some of the obvious. Regardless I wish you luck with your decision. It is a tough one.
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Old 03-16-2006, 01:43 AM Re: Graduate School: public vs. private, shorter vs. longer, expensive vs. inexpensiv
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Quote:
Originally Posted by vangogh
It is a tough decision and in the end you're the only one that can really make the decision. I think it will depend a lot on where you want to work. If your future employer thinks a masters degree is important then I would think the CS degree would carry more weight than the CIS degree.

However I think with many IT jobs it's less important where you went to school than what you actually know how to do. I think it comes down to 'as long as you can do the job.' Of course I'm not someone who does hiring.

The CIS degree does cost more, but you will have 2 1/2 years to pay that back and get real world experiece which may put you ahead of those graduating at that time for any position you want. I think for most employers the experience counts more, but it will depend a lot on the employer.

I'm not sure if I've really helped at all and just restated some of the obvious. Regardless I wish you luck with your decision. It is a tough one.
Thanks for your reply, I appreciate it

Others have said the same thing.... get the CIS degree and use those other 2.5 years to get job experience. I work for the government and we don't do any hardcore software engineering... mainly networking, databases, etc. I think that the CIS degree will be sufficient for that, I just hope that it will pay well enough for me to pay back those private school student loans
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Old 03-16-2006, 02:22 AM Re: Graduate School: public vs. private, shorter vs. longer, expensive vs. inexpensive, CIS vs. CS
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I also have plans of taking up further studies. As of now I am just saving up a little for my future. Maybe before I turn 30 I will go to grad school
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