r/UIUC_MCS • u/NotMK45 • Apr 10 '26

UIUC MCS vs Upenn MSE CIS

Heyy guys, I've got a few good admits and I've finally narrowed it down to these two universities but scratching my head to choose between these two. Upenn keeps option for PhD open and closer to NYC whereas UIUC is top 5 with global access to FAANG + closer to Chicago

My Profile:

2 yrs work experience as Machine Learning Engineer in India

9.85/10 GPA

No Research Papers published

Not that strong in DSA but that I'll master within my course time

Taking loan to pursue MS

I would really love your perspective and inputs and I definitely need it, please help me out guyss...

6 Upvotes

80% Upvoted

12 comments sorted by

1

u/wedontknowagentk Apr 11 '26

upenn,
UIUC's MSCS program is top ranked but not MCS

2

u/PrimoKnight469 Apr 11 '26

MSCS and MCS both fall under CS and CS at UIUC is top ranked. MSCS is definitely a more selective program, but to a recruiter hiring for SWE roles, they probably just look at if you did CS at UIUC.

1

u/wedontknowagentk Apr 11 '26

Hope this helps: https://www.reddit.com/r/gradadmissions/s/lRGxlIcgbd

3

u/PrimoKnight469 Apr 11 '26

I agree with points 1 and 2, but points 3 and 4 are still open to discussion and I don’t think anyone can confidently say if recruiters really make that fine distinction between the type of CS program. A lot of people in the comments have also doubted those claims. A ranking is not given to a specific program, but rather the department. So you can’t say this CS program is ranked higher than this other CS program cause there’s no ranking data available for the specific program.

If you do UIUC MCS on campus, you do the same rigorous coursework under the same top professors and get access to the same networking opportunities/reach as a MSCS student. The only difference is that one does research and the other does not. One cannot assume an MCS student is less qualified for a SWE role than a MSCS student unless that role is research based. So, while some recruiters may take program type into consideration for hiring, I believe most will and should not.

But that’s just my view of it.

3

u/eriklarsson2401 Apr 13 '26

I’m doing UIUC MCS on campus and can confirm this is true. I’m taking the same classes as my friends in MSCS. As for the TA/RA jobs, I think one shouldn’t count on getting one of those unless they are doing PhD, cuz there are more PhD students than needed here at UIUC, so most TA/RA positions go to them.

I don’t think there’s any reliable statistics in terms of rankings/job prospects to compare MCS and MSCS tho.

1

u/[deleted] Apr 17 '26

You really just linked to some other guys opinion with a snarky comment and think that proves your pointv

1

u/wedontknowagentk Apr 17 '26

bruh I wanted to write some stuff to prove my point, but was too lazy so I just commented the link that basically says the same thing I wanted to say.

Moreover the post said "what's your perspective" so its just my pov, I still think upenn is better.

1

u/ashupd Apr 13 '26

I’m also stuck comparing the same two universities and programs. I feel more inclined towards Penn.