What type of degree should I get? Computer Science or Computer Programming?

Question

Hello, I am currently enrolled at a college called ECPI to get a bachelors degree in Computer Programming / Web Development.. However, the school is about 77 miles away, which I will be making a daily commute because I don't want to move away.

However, there is a local college here, where I can get an associates degree in Computer Science, and then pass off the credits to a four year college to get a bachelors.

Should I go for the computer science, or the computer programming? Why? Which makes more money, and has more job opportunities?

Thanks so much,

Kyle

PS

I am fairly skilled a web programming currently, and would be looking forward to learning C/C Objective-C, etc.. Thats why I mainly picked Computer Programming.

Answer 1

computer science. It is the degree that big companies really value, because you get to learn hardcore stuff such as memory management, threading issues, OOP, data structures, algorithms, etc. While web development sounds more "practical", the companies would rather hire a person with no prior web development experience but have a CS degree. Because a CS degree indicates that the guy is smart and has a solid programming background that they'd pick up the web development things fast. Meanwhile it is harder to switch from a degree of web development to do work in very low-level technical computer science stuff , such as jobs at Intel, Oracle, desktop applications companies, etc.

Answer 2

i personally got a degree in web development. An i make about 30,000 a year (entry position). Its a good job, but its very hard to find a web development job where i live (Mississippi). I got very lucky an was able to get a web job unlike a lot of people i graduated with who ended up working fast food. When i went to college (2 years ago) i majored in web development an didn't go for computer programming, where i went it was 2 separate things. The thing with computer programming is you will learn more languages an will be able to make applications an other things, which is good an makes me think i should of went for computer programming instead of just pure web development (but at my job i am learning computer programming now to). Because the thing with computer programming is your not just limited to one thing which is good. But based on my experiences trying to find a job i would take the degree that would guarantee you a job when you got out. I don't know much about computer science an can't say anything on it (wish i could), but i would talk to the people who are in charge of those programs an say will i have a job when i get out or is it hard to get a job in this field? look at monster.com and careerbuilder.com an see if you can find any jobs in your area doing either. But i also say do something you love to because other wise you wont be happy, i think with computer programming you will have a good chance based on theres a lot of different things you can offer a company an also you will be doing something you want to do.my friend who i went to college with (we both majored in the same thing) she is going back for computer programming (she couldn't get a job in it) an the lady who she talked to guaranteed she would have a job before she graduated.But i would do your research an decide from there. Hope this helps.