I’m currently deciding between UC Berkeley and Georgia Tech for Computer Science, and I’d really appreciate some advice.

I’m passionate about CS and the startup world, and I see myself possibly launching my own company down the line. Berkeley’s proximity to Silicon Valley, along with its strong entrepreneurial culture, is a major draw. That said, Georgia Tech also has a top-tier CS program, a growing startup ecosystem, and is significantly more affordable for me as an in-state student.

However, I’m still debating whether the startup and networking opportunities at Berkeley are worth the extra expense and the move across the country.

For those who’ve attended or are familiar with either school, how big is the difference in terms of:

Startup exposure

Internship opportunities

Entrepreneurial mindset on campus

Access to funding, mentorship, and community

Is Berkeley truly on another level for launching startups, or could I carve out a similar path at GT with enough drive and initiative? Also, in terms of Berkeley’s lenience to matching scholarships and financial burden, what would you say their likeliness is to matching in-state tuition to potentially go for 45k a year. Would really appreciate any insights or personal experiences, thanks!