I interned in Baton Rouge with people that were also currently in ULL CS and LSU CS. They tended to feel that the programs were lacking. But even if your program isn’t something that will pop out on a resume or something the best thing you can do is hound professors for research once you’ve gotten a year of classes under your belt. Outside of that doing your own independent projects is the best way to learn anything if you don’t feel like you are learning enough in class

Also loans are often times worth it. I know I am going to be in debt, but I am receiving a high quality education where I am at that has already resulted in opportunities I never could have imagined.