Just my two cents, so take it for what it's worth...
I'd say it depends on what you want to do with your career. If you want to be a software engineer working on cool products, the cheaper option plus your experience should be fine. If you want to do get into academia or research of some sort, I'd say go with the prestigious school, but this isn't a hard and fast rule. One thing to consider is what can the prestigious school offer you that the cheaper school can't and is that worth it?
I have the opportunity of comparing an in-state university to a prestigious university right now. I received an undergraduate degree from an in-state university and I'm currently enrolled in a master's program through Georgia Tech. You might say they're not comparable because they're at different levels, but the lower-level master's courses and the upper-level bachelor's courses are sometimes exactly the same, so there is some room to compare.
As for the quality of education, I'd say there's not that much difference. Where I see there being a difference is the opportunities outside of the classroom the prestigious university can offer you. Oftentimes companies will try to team up with the big name schools and give those students really cool opportunities where lesser-known schools don't get the same attention. Where you already have outside experience, I'd say going to a prestigious university might not be as big of a deal depending on what you want to do with your career.
Also, if you're not sure what you want to do, go to the cheaper school. No sense wasting money on a more expensive school while you figure things out.
All this being said... it's your life. You do what you think is best. Don't let anyone else tell you what to do with your career. Take their advice, consider it, decide what you want, then do it.
Thanks for the great, detailed response. I plan on going into software engineering. I live in Louisiana and the best in-state university is not great and neither is the job market for programmers. I guess I am leaning towards going in-state anyways and packing up and moving to somewhere better after my four years are up.
And... All I have to say in response to your comment about the market in Louisiana is Utah has a great technology sector and great schools that feed into it. Don't overlook it. ;) (I can't resist promoting the Silicon Slopes sometimes... #sorrynotsorry)
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Just my two cents, so take it for what it's worth...
I'd say it depends on what you want to do with your career. If you want to be a software engineer working on cool products, the cheaper option plus your experience should be fine. If you want to do get into academia or research of some sort, I'd say go with the prestigious school, but this isn't a hard and fast rule. One thing to consider is what can the prestigious school offer you that the cheaper school can't and is that worth it?
I have the opportunity of comparing an in-state university to a prestigious university right now. I received an undergraduate degree from an in-state university and I'm currently enrolled in a master's program through Georgia Tech. You might say they're not comparable because they're at different levels, but the lower-level master's courses and the upper-level bachelor's courses are sometimes exactly the same, so there is some room to compare.
As for the quality of education, I'd say there's not that much difference. Where I see there being a difference is the opportunities outside of the classroom the prestigious university can offer you. Oftentimes companies will try to team up with the big name schools and give those students really cool opportunities where lesser-known schools don't get the same attention. Where you already have outside experience, I'd say going to a prestigious university might not be as big of a deal depending on what you want to do with your career.
Also, if you're not sure what you want to do, go to the cheaper school. No sense wasting money on a more expensive school while you figure things out.
All this being said... it's your life. You do what you think is best. Don't let anyone else tell you what to do with your career. Take their advice, consider it, decide what you want, then do it.
Thanks for the great, detailed response. I plan on going into software engineering. I live in Louisiana and the best in-state university is not great and neither is the job market for programmers. I guess I am leaning towards going in-state anyways and packing up and moving to somewhere better after my four years are up.
Thanks again.
You're welcome and good luck with your career!
And... All I have to say in response to your comment about the market in Louisiana is Utah has a great technology sector and great schools that feed into it. Don't overlook it. ;) (I can't resist promoting the Silicon Slopes sometimes... #sorrynotsorry)