Programming colleges (United States)

[Guest]

I was curious if anyone had attended a programming college in the North East, or New York that they would recommend. It seems that the Major Computer Science means programming major, but I'm not sure. I have a little experience with programming, but I want to learn how to program video games, but not be limited to video games. If you or someone you know has or is attending a college in this area, can you recommend it?

 

 

The only key features I'm looking for is:

C++ being taught (Valve's source Engine, Unreal Engine, and CryEngine program in that language)

A guaranteed good education that I will learn a lot.

 

Optional:

A Network class (So I can learn to set up my own servers if I want to make my games online, and as a fall back plan in case I can't make it, I can get a job managing Networks.

HTML, and other Website/Web based classes (Like JavaScript) to be able to make website, be a freelance web developer, or other fall back with the option to make my own website to my own appeal.

 

Other notes:

I'm not a super high grade student, for instance, my ACT is a 24, SAT math 570, and GPA is a 2.8 at the moment.

I'm not interested in Video Game Development colleges because I want a bigger focus on programming.

I was informed it's better to focus on one specific area of interest before moving onto others so you get really good at at least 1 thing, instead of meh at 2 or more.

 

To keep this post relevant in the future, noting other colleges in other areas will further aid future people curious about the same topic. So if you have any colleges from another area, please note them, and where each one is located.

[fizzlesticks]

54 minutes ago, hislittlecuzin said:

It seems that the Major Computer Science means programming major, but I'm not sure.

For the most part yes. However Comp Sci is much more than just programming. There is tons of theory and math involved.

 

I went to Stony Brook on Long Island. When I started going there about 10ish years ago the CS program was ranked 14th in the country. I know it has dropped a bit since then but don't know how far. It's also a state school so it's "cheap" compared to a lot of other places (much less so if you're not a NY resident.) 

 

They have 2 main game programming classes. The first focusing on 2d and the second on 3d both using C++. Then there is the main project course where you may be able to make a game depending on your professor and if you've taken the game programming classes (forced to make a game is more accurate, not that I was complaining.)  That third course however used C# and XNA, which is pretty dead now so I expect that changed (MonoGame maybe?)

 

Quote

C++ being taught (Valve's source Engine, Unreal Engine, and CryEngine program in that language)

The main language they use is Java which is pretty standard for US colleges (Python and Haskell being the other popular languages) with some advanced courses using C++ (the games classes, graphics programming, concurrency.) They also have "Intro to xxx Language" courses which include courses for C++. You're most likely not going to find a college that teaches C++ as its main language. 

 

They have networking and web design classes of course, all colleges with a CS program will (at least I hope so.)

 

Quote

A guaranteed good education that I will learn a lot.

No matter where you go, what you get out of college will depend on what you put into it. 90% of the learning you'll be doing outside of class on your own.

 

Unfortunately it isn't the easiest college to get into, especially for an overcrowded major like CS.

[Guest]

Okay, so I waited a little to see if anyone else was going to drop in their own 2 cents. I think I'll look more into SUNY schools.

 

 

I'm curious to your comment about CS being an overcrowded major. Is it that school in particular?

 

Other than that, you've been a great help. A sincere thank you!

[fizzlesticks]

30 minutes ago, hislittlecuzin said:

I'm curious to your comment about CS being an overcrowded major. Is it that school in particular?

As far as I know, it's everywhere. CS has become extremely popular.