#USF vs MSU

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strong field
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Schools: University of South Florida vs Mississippi State University
Intended major: Undecided, probably Computer Science / Cybersecurity / Engineering
Costs:

USF:
Tuition: 18416
Total CoA published by the school: 39140

Scholarship: 11000

With the scholarship it’s $7416 (tuition), $28140 (CoA); per year.

MSU:
Tuition: 29736
Total CoA published by the school: 54076

Scholarship: 23000

  • free housing for the first year

With the scholarship it’s $6736 (tuition), $31076 (CoA); per year. First year with the housing scholarship the CoA would be $22620.

USF Pros:

  • It’s in Florida lol. (I was in South Florida a few times and I loved it. USF is in Tampa but ig there's not much difference between Tampa and SoFlo)
  • Close to the beach and surfing
  • Warm winters
  • Big city (Tampa)
    USF Cons:
  • People say it’s a commuter school, the campus is empty on weekends and there isn’t much to do
  • I read somewhere that the Engineering / CS programs are bad?

^(Applied to honors, haven't received decision yet)

•••••

MSU Pros:

  • College town (More of a typical US college experience?)
  • Probably easier without a car
  • SEC
  • Honors
    MSU Cons:
  • Small town in the South with not much around? (kinda in the middle of nowhere)

Overall, I'm leaning toward USF cause going to a small rural area in Mississippi lowkey scares me. But I'm also scared of what I heard about USF (commuter school + bad engineering and cs). I like the fact that MSState is in SEC and I heard that game days are crazy fun. On the other hand USF has no cold winters and a beach nearby.

For context: I'm international (Europe), won't have a car and of all the places that accepted me these are the only two I can afford

soft grotto
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Mississippi is also in the south so it also won't have cold winters.

I would say neither is well known for their engineering/cs programs. I don't know that I would call either "bad" or one worse than the other. Usually public schools like those will have decently funded engineering depts though.

It is true that 80% of students live off campus at USF so you're not going to get as much of the campus dorm life experience, but that doesn't mean students aren't going to make friends, have hobbies, and find cool stuff to do outside of class

honest hound
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MSU

sharp swan
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Neither is known for their CS programs, and as much as I love USF, the free housing the MSU is SO rare, so many people do not get free housing and you should take advantage of that. I would also look into how the dorms are if that matters to you, or apartments near by because that is 100% true about USF being a commuter school

white herald
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I'd say USF! (biased, mayyybe?) I honestly disagree with the commuter school thing. A lot of people from where i come from have gone there and not once have i heard that. If you like the area, parties, and just florida in general, go for it! And tbh, I can't say much for USM. But if you don't want a silent town, maybe consider USF.

hollow palm
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Lmk what u decide bro

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I got rejected from USF honors as well 🙁

strong field
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Thanks everyone!