All, Need some help here in choosing one of these two options Brandeis MS ITM Program Starts sooner More courses per term, so actually can complete in 3 terms No GRE/GMAT needed I live in the NE region, so nearer, may actually go there and use the library Carnegie Mellon MS ITM Distance "CMU Stamp" on resume #1 ranking course and better college ranking My questions are 1. How would employers rate Brandeis vs CMU 2. The cost of both these courses are comparable - in the 30G mark, so that correct? 3. CMU takes two years, so actually with Brandeis, I can complete early? Does that give any advantage? 4. Can anyone provide the course load and/or quality of faculty and assignments etc.? Thanks folks.
All you are going to get here is a bunch of opinions that will likely disagree, so I'll be the first to give you mine. In looking up the US News report, it appears that both are similarly ranked at #23 and #31, which is a very high ranking in either case. From what you have said, it appears that Brandeis is a better fit with the way you wish to study. I doubt that a degree from #31 as opposed to a degree from #23 will make any difference to all but a very few employers. I say go with Brandeis because the format seems to appeal to you and there is a value in attending a university that is close enough for you to visit often. Not only can you go to the library, you can also counsel in-person with professors and advisers. I go to my school once or twice a year and that involves a plane flight from California to Virginia. If I didn't love my school and program, I would find a closer alternative.
vguru - You wrote, "More courses per term, so actually can complete in 3 terms." What do you mean by this? Are you saying that you can start the program new and complete the 30 semester hours in three terms? If this is the case, do you work full-time? Taking two classes a time there will be tough in my opinion. Dave
Surfdoctor, While their undergrad programs may be similarly ranked similarly overall by US News, I think Carnegie Mellon has a much better reputation in computer science / information technology. For example, US News rates Carnegie Mellon's computer science graduate program at #1 and Brandeis at #72. vguru, I really thought the Carnegie Mellon programs was way more expensive than 30K. I thought it was closer to 60K. I posted that it was 56K plus fee in a thread about a year ago, although I can't find the detail on their website now.
I have to admit that you have a point there. However, I would still vote for Brandeis due to its proximity to the OP.
Brandeis is a fine school, but as someone who hires in this field I can confidently say that CMU will carry much more weight on your resume.
I would say Carnegie Mellon would be closer to $20,000 per semester: http://www.heinz.cmu.edu/financial-aid/masters-programs/information-systems-management-mism/student-expenses/download.aspx?id=2858 That is, unless the ITM program is significantly less & offered at a tremendous discount via distance learning. Though my experience is that online students actually pay even more.
CMU is the big dog in CS/IT. However, their degrees are horribly expensive (over $60K). If someone else is paying for it, go for the CMU degree.
I'd guess that on a national basis CMU is a more familiar name and certainly has an excellent reputation. One of the issues in my mind is the ROI. It's one of the more expensive schools that comes up for discussion around here and I always wonder if the difference is worth the difference.:dunno:
Is this for IT? Do you currently work in IT? CMU has an outstanding rep in the CS world. Now, here is the caveat. You are asking about ITM which lets be honest is not actual IT but more of a management degree. I would say choose whichever is cheaper. Now, if you were talking CS your natural choice would be CMU as their reputation throughout industry and the DoD is remarkable.
Thanks for all the replies. Apologies, - I had miscalculated the total cost of the program. As per CMU site, the cost is ($9,460+ $8,137 + $8,137 + $8,269) = 34000 for 72 units. So, for 144 units it is close to 68K. Considering not just his money involved alone, since I have to pay, looks like Brandeis is a better choice for me. I was initially considering MS - CIT at Boston University, but the MS ITM courses would have more relevance to my work field. I am not a Java related developer, but a Data Warehousing and Business Intelligence (DWBI) architect in an IT company
You are making a good choice. I'm sure some employers care about the ranking, but I doubt that it will make a significant difference in 99% of the hiring decisions you face; experience and ability are much more important in the minds of most employers. I agree that the extra cost is not worth the marginal benefit that CMU will provide.
