Here are some tips for selecting schools, based on an analysis comparing each school to all others across dozens of factors:
Schools Concentrating On Computer Support Specialists
- Focus: For schools with a focus on this career area, look at United States Naval Academy, Sojourner-Douglass College, Montgomery College, and Towson University.
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 Coppin State, Capitol College, Morgan State, and Bowie State.
- Female: For schools particularly welcoming to female students, consider Sojourner-Douglass College and College of Notre Dame of Maryland.
- Diverse: For a diverse student body, consider Bowie State, Morgan State, Coppin State, and Prince George's Community College.
- Adult Learners: For lots of adult learners, consider Anne Arundel, Hood, College of Southern Maryland, and Carroll Community College.
School Setting
- Out of State: For geographic diversity, take note of United States Naval Academy, Johns Hopkins, Goucher, and Loyola.
- Dorms: For a residential campus environment, take note of United States Naval Academy, Washington College, St. Mary's College of Maryland, and Mount St. Mary's University.
Excellence
- SAT: For students with high SAT scores, look at Johns Hopkins, University of Maryland, United States Naval Academy, and St. Mary's College of Maryland.
- % Accepted: For selective institutions, look at United States Naval Academy, Johns Hopkins, University of Maryland, and Coppin State.
- Class Size: For small class sizes, look at United States Naval Academy, Morgan State, Goucher, and St. Mary's College of Maryland.
Student/Alumnus Reviews of Schools for This Career and State
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Frederick Community College • Frederick, MD
Studying Computing Technology (completion in 2005)
• 8/7/2011
"I loved going there, and college was my time. Some days, I wish I could go back and be care-free again. But, now I have a wife and three kids, so I can't. I loved it."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | yes | I loved going to FCC. It all depends on who you are. |
| Program Reputation | 5 | I went to a community college, so it's not Harvard. As far as community colleges go, though, I liked it. |
| Program Quality | 10 | I am glad I chose my major. It covered a wide range of topics, so I had a lot of job opportunities open to me afterwards. |
| Instruction | 10 | As I said before, I had a lot of job options once I left. Also, I had a lot of freedom. |
| How Difficult | 8 | Many things were easy, like troubleshooting and printers. Others were tedious, like learning all the commands for programming. This degree has it's ups and downs, like many others out there. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | It really depended on the classes you took. I was the guy bored out of my mind during the more book-oriented classes, but I always signed up for the classes where you could "get your hands dirty." | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 3 | Since it's community college, there's not much physical class flexibility. They did have online classes and credit classes scheduled for many different dates and times, so that can help fitting in your schedule. |
| Academic Facilities | 8 | Again, it's not MIT, but it is pretty nice. They even had a Mac room to learn about the UNIX command line (Mac programing base). |
| Social Life | 4 | It was college. I was really an odd-ball and didn't stick around for parties or social events. I am not athletic and can't shoot a hoop, but I preferred to go out and do stuff. Or, maybe I would work on one of my pet-project computers. |
| Placement Services | 7 | There were a lot of opportunities for college and after college jobs. In fact, that's how I got my first real job as a network specialist. |
| Alumni Network | 5 | I am not truly active in the alumni program. However, I do get a letter in the mail every so often asking for money. |
University Of Maryland University College • Adelphi, MD
Studying Information Technology (completion in 2014)
• 9/26/2011
"The school did the job by providing me with an accredited degree at an affordable price. The fact that I was able to be anywhere in the world and still complete my degree was the biggest value."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | maybe | I would recommend my school to others depending on what their goals and current situation were. If they had a family and a career but they wanted to get a decent education, then I would recommend it. If they were single and not in a huge hurry, then I would advise them to take the time to try to get into a more competitive school. |
| Program Reputation | 1 | The reputation is poor because since it is an online school, there aren't any standards for admission. They practically admit everyone. Although it is not a for profit school and is accredited, the fact that anyone can get in does not help the school's reputation. |
| Program Quality | 5 | While it is very convenient to have the classroom come to me since my classes are online, sometimes I do wish that I had attended a university in person. It tends to take away from the college experience a little bit. |
| Instruction | 7 | For the university being completely web based I do feel that the program did a pretty good job in career preparation. There were numerous times that the school held virtual career fairs with numerous employers. |
| How Difficult | 8 | Personally, I found the program to be pretty difficult. The fact that I didn't have a very strong computer background contributed to my difficulties. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | That is the problem with a virtual school. It does not allow one to be very hands on in regards to learning. Almost all of my learning was done by reading my books and speaking to my fellow classmates. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 10 | The best thing about UMUC is that it is completely virtual. I could be on vacation and still have access to my discussion threads, homework, instructors, etc. |
| Academic Facilities | 1 | There were no academic facilities because the school was virtual. The web based school library was good, however that was the extent of the "facilities." |
| Social Life | 4 | I had discussion threads with my fellow classmates pretty regularly and we conducted video chat via Skype as well. Although it may not have been as traditional as other schools, I do not feel as if it took away from the college experience that much. |
| Placement Services | 5 | UMUC holds virtual career fairs which help out a little bit, however job placement is not a huge priority for them. UMUC has a responsibility to give you the tools necessary to get a job. |
| Alumni Network | 1 | Since UMUC is a virtual university, there is hardly any alumni support. Alumni are scattered all across the country and come from so many different backgrounds. The lack of alumni support is probably the worst thing about the program. |
University Of Maryland University College • Adelphia, MD
Studying Computer Studies (completion in 2010)
• 9/17/2011
"I learned the skills I needed to be an IT professional and not just a diploma. I didn't have to go in debt or dedicate my life to finishing the program either."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | yes | If someone has a full- or part-time job, it's the perfect school to gaining the skills they need. Or, it's perfect if someone needs to finish up a degree they started at another school. |
| Program Reputation | 5 | UMUC has a good reputation in the Maryland, DC region as a lot of military and government employees attend the school. It is not thought of as a diploma-mill type of school. |
| Program Quality | 7 | UMUC has a class in many formats and schedules to fit into any work schedule. Professors have practical experience in the real world. |
| Instruction | 8 | My major coursework was very realistic and practical. Some scripts and programming project work I use in my job now. |
| How Difficult | 5 | The program was not demanding in work load. I had to use my time wisely because if I fell behind, I would fail. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | Most of the learning was from professor lectures, notes, etc. Books were support material for the professor's outline. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 10 | UMUC's best feature by a mile. They have half-semester, full-semester, in-person at four locations, online, hybrid, weekend only, nights, days and probably other schedule options. |
| Academic Facilities | 9 | I never had trouble contacting faculty or administrators. Classrooms at the newer facilities are top notch. They were sharing some classrooms and labs with the Univ. of MD, which were also very nice. |
| Social Life | 3 | UMUC is a working school so there isn't any athletics. I never attended any school social events and there aren't many anyway. |
| Placement Services | 8 | I did not use the placement services myself. The services that are available sound very good, though. |
| Alumni Network | 9 | UMUC has career fairs for alumni. I receive alumni related e-mails and brochures about what's available, like conferences, resume assistance, etc. |
Frostburg State • Frostburg, MD
Studying Earth Science (completion in 2013)
• 10/5/2011
"I am quite satisfied with my school due to the education and the area."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | yes | There are many majors/ programs that can apply to almost anyone. Great school at a great cost. |
| Program Reputation | 9 | The degree will provide many opportunities. I plan to enter a scientific field. |
| Program Quality | 10 | Frostburg is a very scenic place and the classes are small and the professors are sociable. |
| Instruction | 7 | Some professors got on my nerves or did not teach sufficiently. Overall, the professors were great. |
| How Difficult | 6 | I consider myself intelligent and the courses to be rather easy. However, there were many assignments that tested my knowledge and patience. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | Both were provided. I would say a good mix. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 6 | Class schedules are somewhat flexible. My earliest class is at 11:00 AM. |
| Academic Facilities | 5 | Buildings are not the best at the moment. However, plans of redoing all of the buildings are in the works. |
| Social Life | 9 | I met a lot of people and made many friends. |
| Placement Services | 9 | Most people are able to find jobs, even with this poor economy. |
| Alumni Network | 5 | I actually worked on campus dealing with alumni relations, most of the time I would be hung up on. This doesn't seem to be the case for everyone though. |
Harford Community College • Bel Air, MD
Studying General Studies (completion in 2004)
• 11/15/2011
"The school met my price point and enabled me to advance my career. This was all I was really seeking from my experience."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | yes | I would and have recommended the school to others. While it is not targeted as an IT specific school, it is an excellent way to obtain certifications in the area. |
| Program Reputation | 7 | To my knowledge, the reputation in the area is good. Frequently students in the area consider this school for post-high school studies as well as professionals who seek it out to advance their career through certifications. |
| Program Quality | 7 | I took a CCNA certification course from this college, as well as seeking my major in General Studies. I was satisfied with the programs because they were affordable and available. |
| Instruction | 7 | Instruction was above average. Teachers tended to be lively, interesting and involved for the most part. My CCNA teacher in particular was outstanding. |
| How Difficult | 6 | Programs were targeted well. They were difficult but not insurmountable. Hard work paid off and rarely did I feel like I couldn't accomplish a task or understand a process. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | General education classes had a tendency to be mostly book-related. More job-specific classes tended to be significantly more hands on. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 7 | Classes offered at night and online made study easy. Teachers were flexible with work and understood that young professionals have other priorities. |
| Academic Facilities | 7 | Facilities were modern and clean. Most classes had smart boards and computers. |
| Social Life | 7 | I did not seek out social experiences since I was already working full time and was rather busy. The school had numerous sponsored events for students to attend. |
| Placement Services | I made no attempt to use these services. I was currently employed and was merely seeking advancement within my company. | |
| Alumni Network | I have not used this network so I cannot speak on it. We were made aware of it but I chose not to pursue it. |
Lincoln Technical Institute • Columbia, MD
Studying Computer Help Desk (completion in 2003)
• 12/6/2011
"I think this school was ok for what I got out of it. I'd have liked to have seen a little more help with job placement and perhaps an alumni association."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | maybe | I would recommend it, because they made it very easy to learn the material, but as far as help after graduation, there wasn't much. So I think it depends on how independent an individual would be about placing their career. |
| Program Reputation | 1 | I rate this as poor, seeing as they don't offer the course anymore. I'm not certain as to why it was dropped, but it appears most of the computer courses they had are no longer offered. |
| Program Quality | 10 | I think the school did a fantastic job with this course. Not everyone passed the course, but a strong majority of us did, and I'm certain at least more than half of us now work in this field professionally. |
| Instruction | 10 | The instructors were absolutely fantastic. This school gets its instructors right out of the field. They all have a teaching background as well as a helpdesk background. And that's not just for my course; that's for all courses they offer. |
| How Difficult | 5 | The program seemed rather typical of a college course. It was split about 10/90, 10 being bookwork and 90 being hands on. I think that since it was mostly hands on, it was easier to learn to use your terminal and book material when it came to fielding issues. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | It was split 10/90, with the 90 being hands on. This made it so much easier to learn the material. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 1 | There was no flexibility; our courses ran for nine-and-a-half months, Monday-Friday, from 7-12. The only days we had off were Thanksgiving and Christmas. |
| Academic Facilities | 10 | The facility was great. It had more than enough up-to-date computers and reading material. It was even set up to feel like a work cubicle environment. |
| Social Life | 10 | All the other students were great; we all became great friends and helped each other along through the course. There were no athletics, parties or any organized events. |
| Placement Services | 1 | They didn't offer any placement opportunities in this field. They did have a job fair set up midcourse, but the only people who came were FedEx and UPS. Not exactly a big help. |
| Alumni Network | 1 | There isn't any network set up for our course; not sure about the other courses. It would be nice to have something set up. Most of us try to keep in contact, as we have become great friends over the years. |
University Of Maryland • College Park, MD
Studying Computer Science (completion in 2014)
• 1/12/2012
"I've lived in Maryland my whole life and am proud of my school. I also got a great deal on a top notch University by being local."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | yes | I would gladly recommend the school, I feel like I'm beyond ready for the trade I'm entering and that all programmers could benefit from this University |
| Program Reputation | 8 | It's known for producing industry icons. There are many local places to obtain work with renown companies after graduation. |
| Program Quality | 8 | One of the founders of Google attended this school. I have nothing but good things to say about it. |
| Instruction | 8 | I thought I knew a lot going into the program, I was wrong. Any time I've struggled I've gotten the extra help I've needed. |
| How Difficult | 6 | It's slightly above average. Engineering and the like can be considered more complex than common programming. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | It's a lot of reading and hands-on projects as well. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 8 | I've taken morning classes when working nights, and night classes while working during the day. |
| Academic Facilities | 8 | They have modern campus buildings and modern equipment for us to work on. |
| Social Life | 8 | I've met many good friends from all over Maryland and the East Coast. |
| Placement Services | 8 | The school has many affiliates in the DC metro area that hire directly out of school. The school offers jobs to students on campus as they pursue their degree. |
| Alumni Network | I'm unsure of the ongoing alumni network activity. |
University Of Maryland College Park • College Park, MD
Studying Cell Biology And Molecular Genetics (completion in 2009)
• 1/26/2012
"Not easy to find a job in Biology without a higher degree. Most classes graded based on curves which I also didn't like too much."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | no | To become a PC Support specialist you don't need a whole lot of schooling. I am doing it without any degrees. I have an A+ certificate and that's all. No need to waste the 4 years and the thousands of dollars to become a PC Specialist! |
| Program Reputation | 5 | Maryland is more of an engineering/computer science school. They are less focused on life sciences. |
| Program Quality | 7 | They have good teachers but they are sometimes more interested in their research than in teaching. Biology is not highly recognized at Maryland. |
| Instruction | 8 | All the skills I've learned for my current job I learned from actually working in the field and not from school. My biology teachers were very knowledgeable of their subjects. |
| How Difficult | 9 | I had to do lots of memorization for most of my classes. I also had to take physics and organic chemistry which were very tough. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | A lot of book learning but some labs as well. The labs came later in my academic career. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 7 | They had several times to take each class. Sometimes class schedules conflicted and I had to rearrange the order in which I had to take my classes. |
| Academic Facilities | 7 | They were pretty good, though a lot of things, especially in the labs, were worn down. Books and media were plentiful. |
| Social Life | 5 | Maryland is a very large school. It consists of over 40 thousand students so it's very hard to make friends unless you join a club or sport. |
| Placement Services | I've never gone through them for job services. I'm not sure how responsive they are. | |
| Alumni Network | 5 | I am signed up for their newsletter but rarely see anything relating to events and functions for networking. I think the graduating classes are very large so it's hard to organize. |
Community College Of Baltimore County • Catonsville, MD
Studying Information Technology (completion in 2008)
• 3/4/2012
"I am very satisfied with the school I attended and would definitely recommend it to everyone."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | yes | I would definitely recommend the school to others. I had a great experience. |
| Program Reputation | 10 | The major I chose has a great reputation and is a rewarding field of study. It has many opportunies for further advancement at the Bachelor and Master's level. |
| Program Quality | 10 | The instructors were knowledgeable in their field and assist students in achieving their overall success. The problem included a co-op program that allowed hands-on training for students to put classroom learning to hands on experience through direct interaction with students in the labs. |
| Instruction | 10 | The course was designed to enhance the ability to address any problems the student would encounter in their field of study. The course included a hands-on experience in the lab assisting other students. |
| How Difficult | 6 | The workload was not heavy but it prepared the student for the challenges they would face in the real world. The lab experience was the plus to the classroom work which allowed for students to have actual experience helping others. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | The program I attended consisted of book learning and hands-on learning opportunities. I enjoyed being able to learn from instructors and apply these applications in a real life setting. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 10 | I attended the school online which allowed me the flexibility to complete my studies without sitting in a classroom. The school offers many different methods of completing courses such as hybid, classroom and online course. |
| Academic Facilities | 10 | The classroom sizes were not too big which allow for better interaction between student and instructors. There was plenty of media and technology assistance available to students. |
| Social Life | 10 | There were many activities offered to make any student an all round individual. The school had sufficient ways to feel a part of the school. It offered many opportunities for students to interact. |
| Placement Services | 10 | The school offers many opportunities for job placement and job fairs to assist students in getting employment. The school has many services that allow students to get assistance with resumes, cover letters and steps to seeking a job. |
| Alumni Network | 10 | The alumni assistance is outstanding. They make sure all students are given the support to succeed in their careers. They offer additional support after graduation and guidance through support networking systems. |
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