Here are some tips for selecting schools, based on an analysis comparing each school to all others across dozens of factors:
Schools Concentrating On Software Engineers For Applications
- Focus: For schools with a focus on this career area, look at Fayetteville State, Winston-Salem State University, East Carolina University, and UNC Charlotte.
Fastest Response From Schools
- Request Info: For the fastest information for prospective students, look at the Spotlight schools on this page.
Student Body
- Part-Time: For schools emphasizing part-time studies, consider Methodist University, Shaw University, UNC Pembroke, and Saint Augustines College.
- Female: For schools particularly welcoming to female students, consider Meredith College.
- Diverse: For a diverse student body, consider North Carolina A & T, North Carolina Central University, Elizabeth City State, and Winston-Salem State University.
- Adult Learners: For lots of adult learners, consider Piedmont Community College, South Piedmont Community College, Lenoir Community College, and Asheville Buncombe.
School Setting
- Out of State: For geographic diversity, take note of Elon University, High Point, Saint Augustines College, and Methodist University.
- Dorms: For a residential campus environment, take note of Saint Augustines College, High Point, Meredith College, and Elizabeth City State.
Excellence
- SAT: For students with high SAT scores, look at UNC, Elon University, NC State, and Appalachian State.
- % Accepted: For selective institutions, look at UNC, Campbell, Shaw University, and Gardner - Webb.
- Class Size: For small class sizes, look at Meredith College, UNC, Methodist University, and UNC Asheville.
Student/Alumnus Reviews of Schools for This Career and State
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East Carolina University • Greenville, NC
Studying Computer Science (completion in 2010)
• 7/6/2011
"I loved my experience at ECU very much. It taught me a lot of valuable skills, and showed be how to become a life-long learner. The only things I wish could improve are our reputation and alumni network, both of which will come with time."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | yes | It is a great program that will give you a fundamental foundation in computer science. The software field is so large that you cannot be taught everything, but what you will learn in this program is vital to any direction you take in software development. |
| Program Reputation | 5 | Our reputation among computer science alumni is relatively low. There are more technical colleges in the state that have a much better reputation. |
| Program Quality | 7 | My education in computer science was comprehensive, but mostly based on theory. I would have liked to see younger professors that teach subject matter more relevant to today's workforce. |
| Instruction | 7 | My foundation in programming techniques and best practices was very solid. I would have like to see more web technologies taught. |
| How Difficult | 9 | Computer Science is notoriously one of the most difficult majors at my school. I had to retake a couple of my most difficult classes. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | We did a lot of discussion during lectures. Also, many of the classes I took included a mandatory lab where you were able to employ skills you learned in the classroom. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 8 | A lot of the courses I needed in this curriculum were available online. Also, I took advantage of many summer courses, which I enjoyed doing. These classes go by much faster than the typical semester. |
| Academic Facilities | 6 | Many of the buildings on our campus are very modern and beautiful. Unfortunately, the computer science department did not share those facilities. We shared a building with the math department, which was old and not very inspiring. |
| Social Life | 9 | There is a great deal of school pride here, especially among athletics. I made some of my best friends while at college. |
| Placement Services | 8 | The career services center here is helpful at finding jobs in locations across the country. Also, they are helpful in preparing for the interviewing process. |
| Alumni Network | 7 | Our alumni network was not very strong when I started college at ECU. Since I've graduated, I see more younger graduates, just a few years older than me, reach out with career opportunities. |
Duke University • Durham, NC
Studying Divinity (completion in 2005)
• 10/10/2011
"During my time at Duke, I grew in ways I never expected. I emerged from my Master's program a much wiser and more focused, determined, and compassionate person."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | yes | I would heartily recommend Duke University; it provides excellent opportunities and a world-class education in all its colleges and schools. However, if one is serious about becoming a software engineer, than a graduate degree in Divinity probably isn't the best choice. |
| Program Reputation | 10 | Duke is a top flight research university. My program has been and is one of the most highly regarded in the US. |
| Program Quality | 10 | Duke Divinity School is one of the premier theological schools in the world. Although my degree is not directly related to the role as a software engineer, the rigor of my graduate studies there has prepared me for success in my present field. |
| Instruction | 10 | I had the opportunity to learn in small group and even one-on-one settings with some of the leading scholars in the field. Instead of going somewhere else and reading the books these women and men publish, I had opportunity to learn from them directly. |
| How Difficult | 9 | The difficulty of my Master's degree was in keeping with the high academic standards of Duke. There were no opportunities to breeze through a class. In-depth, well researched, and thoughtfully applied learning was expected. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | Practicums were required for the completion of my degree. I spent time in local churches applying what I had learned in the classroom. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 3 | The guiding philosophy at Duke was the necessity of a cloistered learning community. Classes were to be experienced on campus and in a group setting. |
| Academic Facilities | 8 | When I was at Duke there were many building projects underway. The facilities were certainly ample and the ones being built were ultramodern. Construction did create some limitations, however. |
| Social Life | 10 | Camaraderie was easily found and genuine. I made some lifelong friends during my time at Duke. |
| Placement Services | 7 | I was given chances to meet with a wide variety of potential employers. The diversity of fields and opportunities were many and I had opportunities to speak with my academic counselor as well as with a vocational counselor. |
| Alumni Network | 10 | The Duke alumni network is wide reaching and easy to access. There are many events held in my part of the US. |
North Carolina Central University • Durham, NC
Studying Information Science (completion in 2014)
• 1/9/2012
"I find the choice of classes compelling and the faculty involved and well-informed. The academics aren't very rigorous, but they're pretty good overall."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | yes | The online program offers opportunities for students in rural areas. The faculty is very good, and the classes are interesting and applicable to programming in the real world. |
| Program Reputation | 5 | The program is not nationally ranked, but I needed an online program, so I couldn't be too choosy. I don't need a degree from a prestigious school, so this is not too important to me. |
| Program Quality | 7 | The school doesn't have a great reputation, but I was looking for an online degree. I'm very happy with the program itself. |
| Instruction | 9 | There is a mix of hands-on learning, along with theory. There's an expectation that students will learn as much as they want from the program (i.e: putting forth more effort will result in better preparation for career). |
| How Difficult | 6 | The curriculum is not very challenging, but students can put as much or as little effort into the classes as they wish. Professors push students a bit out of their comfort zones. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | There is a good mix of hands-on, practical application and theoretical study. Most of the classes offer at least some real-world IT skills. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 9 | There are a number of weekend, evening, and online options. The entire program can be completed online, which offers great flexibility. |
| Academic Facilities | 7 | Professors are available and quick to respond. The faculty tries to assure that online students understand the access to things like library resources that are available. |
| Social Life | 4 | I'm taking the program online, so haven't had many social opportunities. Most of the graduate students have jobs and other obligations, so the social aspects seem minimal. |
| Placement Services | 6 | There is a fair amount of support for on-campus students looking for work. The professors are well-connected and also pass along job information to students. |
| Alumni Network | 5 | I'm not sure about this since I'm a current student. There seems to be some career assistance, but not a strong alumni network for my specific program. Being an online student makes this less applicable. |
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