u/Head_Royal_8452

I’m trying to decide between Stanford University (full pay) and Georgia Tech (Zell Miller Scholarship covering full tuition).

Some context:

• Intended major: Computer Science (also considering Data Science)
• In-state for Georgia  ~$15K/year
• Stanford would cost ~$100K/year (my parents are willing to pay)

I know both schools are strong for CS, but the financial difference is huge. Stanford obviously has the brand, network, and proximity to Silicon Valley, while Georgia Tech is also top-tier for CS.

I’m trying to think long-term:

• Is Stanford worth the ~$400K total cost in this case?
• How much of a difference does the network/opportunity gap really make for CS/Data Science?

I’d really appreciate any perspectives, especially from people in tech or those who’ve faced a similar decision.