Best IT College Programs for Future Pros?

I want to major in information technology and would love some advice on which college programs are the best. I'm interested in schools that provide solid hands-on experience and good internship opportunities.

You've identified important factors that would indeed make a college program strong for information technology.

Firstly, Carnegie Mellon University's School of Computer Science is renowned for its focus on hands-on experience. The curriculum includes a blend of coursework and intensive projects, providing students with practical skills in various aspects of IT. The school also has partnerships with top tech companies, creating a plethora of internship and potential job opportunities.

The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) is another top-tier institution for aspiring IT professionals. It offers programs under its Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science. The essence of practical learning is heavily emphasized there, from labs and projects to "makerspaces", where you get to build and experiment for yourself. The MIT name also carries weight, which attracts numerous employers for internships and jobs.

Stanford University is also notable for its IT-related programs. Besides the comprehensive coursework, Stanford is known for bringing in distinguished industry professionals for lectures, thereby providing unique learning opportunities. Moreover, Stanford's location in Silicon Valley makes a wealth of exciting internship opportunities easily accessible.

The University of California, Berkeley also ranks highly for IT. The Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences (EECS) department provides a rigorous curriculum, comprehensive labs, and research programs to bolster your hands-on experience. Furthermore, Berkeley's location near Silicon Valley opens doors for internships and networking opportunities.

Lastly, the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign provides excellent IT programs and opportunities to engage in cutting-edge research. Through their computer science-electrical and computer engineering merged program, a student is exposed to a variety of IT concepts and applications in-depth and has access to numerous IT-based research and internship opportunities.

Each of these schools brings something unique to the table, so it's important to determine which aspects of an IT program are most important to you personally. Would you rather have more independent project work, opportunities to engage in research, or more straightforward lectures from industry professionals? Your answers to these sort of questions can help guide you as you review these programs and decide which is the best fit.