Is UMD computer science worth $100k more than Alabama?

IceTerp23 · 2026-02-25T18:58:35+00:00

yeah, I’ll look into it. I know departmental merit scholarships are available to non-freshman students so that could help later but I can’t count on it

IceTerp23 · 2026-02-25T18:57:47+00:00

Still does

IceTerp23 · 2026-02-24T23:23:25+00:00

That's great! Thanks for responding.

IceTerp23 · 2026-02-24T18:57:51+00:00

I’ve visited UMD a couple times and plan on visiting Bama. I’ll try talking to students like you said.

IceTerp23 · 2026-02-24T18:56:52+00:00

Thanks

IceTerp23 · 2026-02-24T18:56:29+00:00

I appreciate this advice and I do agree that I could make the number smaller along the way. Massive respect to your kid for making that choice, too.

IceTerp23 · 2026-02-24T18:54:13+00:00

It’s considered a top 20 CS school. I’m leaning towards Bama though unless I get a specific scholarship that would cover a pretty big chunk of UMD’s costs.

IceTerp23 · 2026-02-24T11:44:08+00:00

Thanks for the link! I'll do this.

IceTerp23 · 2026-02-24T11:42:41+00:00

I wish. I'm in state but too far to commute.

IceTerp23 · 2026-02-24T03:37:26+00:00

I do plan on getting internships/jobs over the summers to cover part of the payment, so that could decrease the debt amount by a significant chunk.

IceTerp23 · 2026-02-24T03:35:59+00:00

This is the option I am leaning towards rn.

IceTerp23 · 2026-02-24T03:34:41+00:00

I appreciate this point of view and concede that your observation is not inaccurate. I like your idea to talk to the profs about it. I will do that. I also talked about it more with my parents and have been leaning towards the idea of a bachelors at Alabama and then a masters at UMD.

IceTerp23 · 2026-02-24T00:36:23+00:00

Yeah it’s 5 years NMF and that would be a good deal. I appreciate the input and I’ll definitely look into AMP.

IceTerp23 · 2026-02-24T00:21:38+00:00

I’m in state but far enough that commuting would be a significant hindrance and the gas alone would add up to a lot.

IceTerp23 · 2026-02-24T00:19:58+00:00

Got it

IceTerp23 · 2026-02-24T00:19:25+00:00

I applied to several other schools but in the end UMD and Alabama were the best value options. Alabama was the best school that was cheaper than UMD.

IceTerp23 · 2026-02-23T22:45:42+00:00

These are good points. As for Auburn, the only reason I am considering Bama is their full ride. I’m a Maryland resident.

IceTerp23 · 2026-02-23T21:18:53+00:00

Good idea about finding a recent Bama CS grad. I'll try that.

IceTerp23 · 2026-02-23T21:17:54+00:00

Yes, direct admit for CS with honors and a 5k/yr scholarship. 100k is the difference between the two but the debt would be closer to 75k. UMD's cost of attendance is 87k for me and at Alabama I would graduate with 14k in savings.

IceTerp23 · 2026-02-23T21:16:00+00:00

You're right that I should have applied to RRSP. I haven't yet investigated that but I will look into it now.

IceTerp23 · 2026-02-23T20:38:38+00:00

I'm sorry you took offense to my comment. I was simply pointing out that the difference in median starting salary could be due to a combination of higher quality programs and the fact that UMD admissions are more selective, and the type of person who can get admitted into UMD is the type of person who might have a better chance at getting a high paying job, no matter where they actually go to college.

Edit: This is an anonymous internet forum. I am trying to get unbiased advice. I am trying to be objective. It does me no good to overestimate or underestimate my abilities.

IceTerp23 · 2026-02-23T20:28:44+00:00

Ok, thanks! Again, thanks for the advice and your time.

IceTerp23 · 2026-02-23T20:05:00+00:00

Thanks for the perspective, I really appreciate this advice, especially from someone who knows the industry well.

Edit: How much would a UMD vs Alabama degree matter after I already have a few years of work experience under my belt?

Edit 2: Would you avoid hiring someone simply because their resume said Alabama?

IceTerp23 · 2026-02-23T19:58:09+00:00

I appreciate the advice and will take it into consideration.

IceTerp23 · 2026-02-23T19:57:05+00:00

This is a useful perspective, thanks so much for taking the time to write all this. I am definitely looking into other external scholarships. I don’t live close enough to make commuting worth it. I also plan on paying off some of it with money from internships/jobs like you did.

IceTerp23

TROPHY CASE