Tier 1: H/M/S
Why: Global super brands + best startup universities in the world + M/S are 2 of the top 4 CS. H/M/S are by far at a level of their own.
Tier1.5: CMU SCS/UCB EECS/P/Y
Why: 2 of the top 4 CS, 2 of the T5 colleges (UCB is alao a global super brand and top startup U).
Tier 2: Columbia, Penn, Cornell, Caltech, Duke NW JHU UChicago Brown Dartmouth
Why: Ivyplus schools for better overall undergraduate experiences + decent CS placements + opening up other career pathways (consulting, wall street, law...)
Tier 2.5: UIUC CS, GATech CS, UW CS, UT Austin CS, Michigan, UCLA, USC, NYU
Why: Top flagships with well rounded academic programs and very strong CS programs. Major feeders to "Big tech". USC/NYU are also at this level for their great programs/location
Tier 3: Other excellent flagship CS programs - UCSD, UMD, Purdue, ...
Why: No problem in getting sought-after IT jobs.
