Here are some tips for selecting schools, based on an analysis comparing each school to all others across dozens of factors:
Schools Concentrating On Systems Analysts
- Focus: For schools with a focus on this career area, look at Santa Monica College, Pasadena City College, Berkeley City College, and Moorpark College.
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 Bethesda Christian, Cal State L.A., Cal State Stanislaus, and MTI College.
- Diverse: For a diverse student body, consider Rio Hondo College, Cal State L.A., UC Riverside, and UC Irvine.
- Adult Learners: For lots of adult learners, consider Palo Verde College, Mendocino College, Cerro Coso Community College, and Claremont.
School Setting
- Out of State: For geographic diversity, take note of Santa Clara University, USF, University of Redlands, and Bethesda Christian.
- Dorms: For a residential campus environment, take note of Simpson University, Point Loma Nazarene University, La Sierra, and California Lutheran.
Excellence
- SAT: For students with high SAT scores, look at Cal Berkeley, UCLA, Santa Clara University, and Pacific.
- % Accepted: For selective institutions, look at Cal Berkeley, UCLA, Cal State San Bernardino, and CSU Channel Islands.
- Class Size: For small class sizes, look at Pacific, Claremont, La Sierra, and Santa Clara University.
Spotlight Schools Search
Spotlight California Schools Related to This Career
- Locations: Bakersfield, Beale AFB, Chula Vista, Costa Mesa, Culver City, Diamond Bar, El Centro, Elk Grove, Fairfield, Fresno, Gardena, Lancaster, Lathrop, Livermore, Los Angeles, Murrieta, Oakland, Ontario, Palm Desert, Pasadena, Rancho Cordova, Roseville, Sacramento, Salida, San Bernardino, San Diego, San Francisco, San Jose, San Marcos, Visalia, Woodland Hills
- Programs: 4 relevant programs; click the school name for details.
- Degrees: Bachelor, Master
- Locations: Oxnard
- Programs: 4 relevant programs; click the school name for details.
- Degrees: Associate, Bachelor
DeVry University's Keller Graduate School of Management
- Locations: Alhambra, Anaheim, Colton, Daly City, Elk Grove, Fremont, Irvine, Long Beach, Oakland, Palmdale, Pomona, San Diego, San Jose, Sherman Oaks
- Programs: One relevant program; click the school name for details.
- Degrees: Master, Post- Bachelor's Certificate
- Locations: Alameda, Orange, San Bernardino, San Diego, Santa Monica
- Programs: One relevant program; click the school name for details.
- Degrees: Doctorate, Master
- Locations: San Francisco, San Jose
- Programs: 2 relevant programs; click the school name for details.
- Degrees: Bachelor
- Locations: National City, San Diego, San Marcos
- Programs: One relevant program; click the school name for details.
- Degrees: Master
- Locations: Santa Rosa
- Programs: One relevant program; click the school name for details.
- Degrees: Associate, Diploma
- Locations: San Francisco, Santa Clara
- Programs: 5 relevant programs; click the school name for details.
- Degrees: Bachelor, Master
See these schools on a map
Study from Anywhere at Online Schools Related to This Career
- Programs: 4 relevant programs; click the school name for details.
- Degrees: Associate, Bachelor
- Programs: 3 relevant programs; click the school name for details.
- Degrees: Bachelor
- Programs: 17 relevant programs; click the school name for details.
- Degrees: Bachelor, Doctorate, Master
- Programs: 5 relevant programs; click the school name for details.
- Degrees: Associate, Bachelor, Master
- Programs: One relevant program; click the school name for details.
- Degrees: Bachelor
Keiser University eCampus Online
- Programs: 3 relevant programs; click the school name for details.
- Degrees: Associate, Bachelor
Student/Alumnus Reviews of Schools for This Career and State
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University Of California Santa Cruz • Santa Cruz, CA
Studying Philosophy And Biochemistry (completion in 2000)
• 7/25/2011
"I think I got a good education and had caring, excellent, and engaged professors. I don't think the reputation of the school enhances my career choices."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | maybe | While I didn't study systems analysis or anything to do with computers or information sciences, my Philosophy degree prepared me very well as a thinker and as a writer. If someone knows they want to do business analysis, however, I might suggest a more career oriented program. UCSC focuses on pure learning as opposed to career focused. There was, last I looked, an undergraduate program in information management, but it is not a focus of the university. |
| Program Reputation | 7 | I am not sure about the school's reputation in philosophy, but I believe UCSC has a good reputation in Biochemistry. Some of the best biochemists in the world, one a contender for a Nobel Prize, teach undergraduates there. |
| Program Quality | 6 | Generally, UCSC was a good school although I was not as prepared for the GRE as I expected to be in Biochemistry. In Philosophy, I feel that I learned to think well and it probably made me the analyst I am today; however, I didn't feel that I got the breadth of the history of philosophical thought that I wanted. |
| Instruction | 6 | The quality of the instruction was very high in most cases. The instructors were very interested and experienced. I do think the philosophy program prepared me to think and write well. The biochemistry curriculum was focused on chemistry and didn't prepare me as well in biology so my performance on the GRE was less than stellar. I would have enjoyed greater breadth in the philosophy department; however, this is a comment on the curriculum, not the instructors. The instructors were exceptional for the most part in both programs. |
| How Difficult | 7 | The biochemistry degree in particular was quite difficult, although I was able to get A's. This was a function of the course of study more than the university in general. Physical chemistry, quantum mechanics, and biochemistry in general is difficult material. In Philosophy, it was the complexity of the reading and the writing requirements that were difficult. Kant, Hume, and Heidegger are just plain difficult to read and understand. I think the courses themselves could have been more challenging. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | Most courses are taught in the traditional lecture and reading assignment way. Students have good access to join faculty in research so there are opportunities for hands-on learning, but it is not the focus. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 6 | At the time, there were no weekend or online options. Evening and summer options were available. Evening classes were mostly in sections; however, they were not designed as an alternative for working people. |
| Academic Facilities | 8 | The library system is excellent because you have the entire University of California system if the actual library doesn't have the book needed. Media and computer resources seem average. The laboratories seem average in terms of resources available; however, the ability of undergraduates to take part in high quality research is exceptional. Most classrooms are nice - perhaps slightly above average. The availability of tutors is OK. One thing that is truly exceptional is access to professors. Top UCSC professors are available to undergraduates and even teach introductory courses. |
| Social Life | 3 | I believe this was my fault because I was slightly older, lived off campus, and didn't make friends easily. I believe the social atmosphere at UCSC is average to slightly above average. |
| Placement Services | 5 | I didn't take advantage of job placement and career services. I don't believe they have a large program for this. They certainly didn't advertise it when I was an undergraduate. |
| Alumni Network | 6 | I haven't used the alumni services much. I am not sure they have exceptional post-degree support, but I'm concerned that I'm not a good judge of this. |
Harbor College • Los Angeles, CA
Studying Business Information Systems (completion in 2009)
• 7/26/2011
"I was very satisfied with the school because I achieved what I wanted through effort and determination. I was able to overcome all the obstacles that can be found in many educational institutions of higher learning."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | maybe | Maybe I would it to recommend someone, but what matters most is one's level of effort and determination. It does not depend on the instructor; it depends on and begins with you in showing motivation and the ability to learn to become what you want to be in the future. |
| Program Reputation | 5 | The school is average in terms of reputation of my major. The reason for this is that the school is very small and only has a few students in the academic major I was studying. |
| Program Quality | 5 | See my previous answer. |
| Instruction | 5 | The instruction was excellent in helping to overcome all forms of obstacles, such as the lack of equipment and books. |
| How Difficult | 5 | The program wasn't too easy, and neither was it too hard. All that mattered was a student's determination and effort. Without hard work there was no way a student could be successful. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | The school had both hands on and book learning to ensure that students understood materials properly. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 10 | The class schedule was extremely flexible and the faculty did an excellent job of ensuring that students adhered to their schedules and class hours. |
| Academic Facilities | 5 | The facilities in my program weren't good enough. I'd propose or support more proper funding from the department of education towards buying more equipment for the school. |
| Social Life | 10 | In terms of social events such as clubs, I would argue the school to be the best in this field. The school has many organizations for those with different interests. |
| Placement Services | 5 | The career and job placement services are on average. The reason for this is a lack of staff with expertise in this important department. |
| Alumni Network | 10 | The alumni network was excellent. The school had a very supportive staff that supported students and the entire alumni the best they could. |
Sacramento State University • Sacramento, CA
Studying Biological Sciences (completion in 2008)
• 8/13/2011
"I wasn't involved enough in school to get the most out of it. However, it was difficult to utilize the resources available."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | maybe | It's very cheap compared to private schools. And it's very convenient for people in Sacramento who want a 4 year degree and can't afford to pay for a UC. But it won't be a complete education and it might be an uphill battle, depending on the faculty at the time. |
| Program Reputation | 2 | They cut essential classes out of the core merely to accelerate people to graduate. The classes I took to get a BS are not required any longer and what used to be a BA curriculum is now for a BS in Biological Sciences. |
| Program Quality | 7 | The most informative and knowledgeable professors were the last professors I had classes with. Their teaching methodologies helped me get better at studying and learning, but I was already finished with school by then. |
| Instruction | 6 | Some of the professors were challenging and helped me adjust my learning style, but some just allowed me to blow off class, which became a problem for me down the road. It was apparent which professors loved their job and which were just collecting a check. |
| How Difficult | 5 | There were very hard classes and very easy classes. They all evened out to be average. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | The school didn't have a lot of money, so it was mostly theoretical. Hands on stuff was with equipment that no one had used in decades. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 1 | Most of the necessary courses had ONE session which was in the middle of the day, making it impossible for people who have full time jobs to take courses. Community colleges nearby are much more accommodating and have more class sections available. |
| Academic Facilities | 4 | Computers are old and there are a lot of people in class. There are no official tutors at all; study groups are formed by students within individual classes, and there is no help in facilitating them. Labs were filled with equipment that no modern industry labs would use, so the lab experiments were largely useless. |
| Social Life | 1 | I didn't have a lot of time and didn't have a car, so I couldn't participate in extracurricular stuff since it was usually late at night, after the buses stopped running. There were also membership fees which were pretty steep for plain membership. |
| Placement Services | 1 | There was no job assistance. Our career center was a room with computers and one person who would just direct you to Monster.com or newspapers. |
| Alumni Network | 4 | A lot of the professors tried to be unapproachable and intimidating in instruction so they would not be bothered by students during office hours. Since a lot of the staff was tenured, there was no way to break them of this attitude, and so some of the students suffered. |
San Jose State University • San Jose, CA
Studying Computer Science (completion in 1985)
• 12/12/2011
"Nothing I can complain about. I was at the right school."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | yes | Why not? If I was happy there, someone else should be happy also. |
| Program Reputation | 7 | SJSU computer academics rank 22nd, I think, for some time. This should mean something to the academic world. |
| Program Quality | 9 | During my time at SJSU, the school provided the latest studies in computer science, so I was quite happy. It was also near where I lived. |
| Instruction | 9 | The whole experience with SJSU brought me to what I am today. The broad curriculum made me able to cope with new technology and has equipped me with knowledge that surpasses time, in terms of technology. |
| How Difficult | 9 | Though the challenges were at times tough, especially when it came to programming languages, I was able to pass all the academic requirements. The instructors were always there and making sure their students learned and understood everything before the term ended. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | SJSU provided both hands-on and book learning equally. The labs were particularly sufficient. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 8 | During my time there, it was easy arranging my schedule. I never had difficulty in that area. |
| Academic Facilities | 9 | I never had problems with facilities with SJSU. They were pretty much updated. |
| Social Life | 9 | I was a party animal. I enjoyed my social experience a lot, especially my freshman year. |
| Placement Services | 8 | I never got any assistance with job placement from SJSU. I know that it exists, though. |
| Alumni Network | 7 | I know the SJSU Alumni Association is quite active. I never get the chance to be involved, though. |
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