I have to choose between two universities, Florida State University and San Jose State University. Which should I pick?

If you have to pick one university between Florida State University and San Jose State University, you are highly recommended to choose Florida State University. It is a large public university located in Tallahassee, Florida. Here are some advantages of studying at Florida State University: Academic programs: FSU offers a wide range of academic programs at the undergraduate and graduate level, including highly ranked programs in law, business, social sciences, and more. The university has a strong reputation for academic excellence and is recognized as a "Research 1" university. Campus: FSU has a beautiful campus with state-of-the-art facilities, including modern classrooms, research labs, and athletic facilities. The campus is also home to the Museum of Fine Arts and the FSU Circus, which is the only collegiate circus in the United States. Location: Tallahassee is the capital city of Florida and offers a rich cultural experience with a variety of museums, art galleries, and theaters. The city is located near many beaches and state parks, providing students with opportunities for outdoor recreation and exploration. Student life: FSU has a vibrant student life with over 700 student organizations and clubs, including fraternities and sororities, academic clubs, and cultural organizations. The university also has a strong athletic program, with teams competing in the NCAA Division I. Career opportunities: FSU has a strong career services department that provides students with assistance in finding internships, job placements, and career advice. The university has a large alumni network, which can provide valuable networking opportunities for students. Overall, studying at Florida State University can provide students with a quality education, a vibrant campus community, and numerous opportunities for personal and professional growth.

I have admits from Portland state university and san jose state university, which should I choose for MS in electrical engineering?

Both Portland and San Jose are good in their own ways. The admission intake for both the schools takes place in the fall season. Here’s a gist of both: San Jose State University The university is good for majors like Engineering, Computer Science and Business. The location of the institute is in Silicon Valley where every semester a job fair is organized. Many big companies participate in this job fair and offer great opportunities which are quite helpful. Apple and Google companies have hired many SJSU students. The weather is very pleasant throughout the year, neither too hot nor too cold. Portland State University The institute is located in a cold, lovely and manageable little city. The people there are quite warm and friendly. The institute has been ranked #801 for engineering by Times Higher Education 2021 (international). San Jose State University Portland State University Tuition fee for the 1st year (international students) $ 16,283 $ 21,105 Acceptance rate 55% 96% International students’ percentage 12% 6% Delivery type Full-time Full-time On looking at the above information about expenses, location of the city, atmosphere of the city, etc. whichever seems suitable for you, you can choose that.

Should I attend San Jose State University or Portland State University for Computer Science if I'll receive cheap tuition at both? Why?

Both of them are equally good and provide comparatively cheaper education in the field of Computer Science. The only difference you will experience is in the living conditions, location, cheaper lifestyle, etc. Some other things you should focus about are the placement opportunities, average salary obtained by the students of that University, living expenses, etc. Students should also look for the social and political life of the institutions. Which school provides you with an atmosphere that will be suitable for you? Both of these have graduates earning between 61,000- 91,000 USD and good placement rate, so you should consider other factors as well. The following table provides some information about both the institutions: San Jose State University Portland State University Tuition fee for the 1st year (international students) $ 17,225 $ 24,530 Acceptance rate 55% 96% International students’ percentage 12% 6% Average starting salary $91,000 $61,000 Financial aids Loans, grants, awards and scholarships Scholarships Whichever school offers you a better lifestyle in all aspects and better future opportunities, you should choose.

San Jose State University - [SJSU], California, San Jose - Accommodation

San Jose, CaliforniaLocation

UniversitySchool type

Estd1857established year

37661enrollment

3 Questions Answered

Public

Partner [8 Courses]

7.6/10

12 reviews

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San Jose State University Accommodation: Students' Opinion

AI-Generated Summary based on 12 Reviews

Off-campus accommodation is a popular choice among students due to its affordability and flexibility compared to on-campus housing. Rent for off-campus accommodations ranges from $600 to $650 per month for shared living, including utilities, with some options like a 2-bedroom, 2-bathroom apartment costing $3909. Most students find accommodation online through platforms like Rightmove, Zoopla, and SpareRoom, as well as through student housing groups on social media.

On-campus housing is considered costly by international students, leading them to prefer nearby private accommodations, which offer better amenities. Popular areas for Indian students include City Centre, Bramall Lane, and Ecclesall Road, with rents ranging from £350 to £500. The university supports students in finding off-campus housing and offers free pantry access to help reduce living costs.

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12 Reviews Found

Umakanth Gorthy

San Jose State University( Enrolled 2024 )M.S Electrical EngineeringOctober 3, 2025

10.0 /10

SJSU

Likes

The location of the university is a major advantage. It is located in the heart of silicon valley. It gives better exposure to the students.
People studying here are very helpful. One can easily reach out to them for any help.
Faculty here are very welcoming. They make us feel comfortable during the class, so that we can even ask questions without any hesitation. They are very accessible.

Accommodation

Off Campus

There are many whatsapp groups using which one can connect with the newly admitted students and one will be able to understand everything once the process starts. It will be very overwhelming if I describe everything now.

There are many whatsapp groups using which one can connect with the newly admitted students and one will be able to understand everything once the process starts. It will be very overwhelming if I describe everything now.

academic: 10/10

faculty: 10/10

infrastructure: 10/10

accomodation: 10/10

placement: 10/10

extracurricular: 10/10

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Anudeesh

San Jose State University( Enrolled 2023 )IELTS Score : 6Electrical EngineeringJune 7, 2025

8.3 /10

People who are looking to come for masters, SJSU is a better choice and who are looking in Electrical background this will help them a lot.

Likes

The curriculum of the university is good and has in-depth knowledge.
The Infrastructure is good and the campus is well maintained.
University has access to various lab tools.

Dislikes

Courses enrollment is a difficult job, you have to be quick or else have to wait till next semester.
It is little difficult to do any administrative processes.
There is very less parking spots around university.

Accommodation

Off Campus

The process of searching for off-campus accommodation is very easy here. Sometimes during the welcome week, the housing communities will come to educate students about the situations here and they also provide visits to their communities, which are very near and comfortable for students to stay in.
There are many communities around the university that are available for students who are coming from other countries.

Monthly Expenses: USD$ 1,000

The process of searching for off-campus accommodation is very easy here. Sometimes during the welcome week, the housing communities will come to educate students about the situations here and they also provide visits to their communities, which are very near and comfortable for students to stay in.
There are many communities around the university that are available for students who are coming from other countries.

academic: 10/10

faculty: 10/10

infrastructure: 10/10

accomodation: 10/10

placement: 10/10

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Naga Bhuvan Kamireddy

San Jose State University( Enrolled 2024 )SAT Score : 1420B.S Biomedical EngineeringMay 31, 2025

6.7 /10

My honest review on SJSU

Likes

Location is a key factor for choosing SJSU
The Faculty to Student ratio is very good
Cutting edge research goes on campus

Dislikes

Campus Size is a thing I disliked, being in the downtown still it is a big campus
Few courses have a very rigorous Course work
Classes registration at the time of semester start is an big hassle

Accommodation

Off Campus

I just live in front of the campus and there are various websites and portals where students get to see open apartment spaces and SJSU also helps students find Off Campus Housing and make the process easy for the students. 101 San Fernando, Colonade, The Grad and 360 Residencies Apartments are the closest ones to the campus and a large Indian Student community stays there.

Monthly Expenses: USD$ 1,000

I just live in front of the campus and there are various websites and portals where students get to see open apartment spaces and SJSU also helps students find Off Campus Housing and make the process easy for the students. 101 San Fernando, Colonade, The Grad and 360 Residencies Apartments are the closest ones to the campus and a large Indian Student community stays there.

+3 more

academic: 8/10

faculty: 8/10

infrastructure: 8/10

accomodation: 8/10

placement: 8/10

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Nimisha Gupta

San Jose State University( Enrolled 2022 )MS Data AnalyticsFebruary 27, 2025

9.3 /10

San Jose State University - My dream university

Likes

Strong curriculum and practical training
Hands-on experience and research opportunities
Faculty is supportive and have industry connection

Dislikes

Sometimes few of the courses demands too much of writing and documenting.
For Data Analytics course, students don't have choice to select courses on their own. The curriculum is already planned which every student has to take.
There are very few part-time jobs available in the campus, which gets filled very quickly because of high demand.

Accommodation

Off Campus

Type of Accommodation: Off-Campus
- I chose off-campus accommodation because it was more affordable and flexible compared to university-managed halls.
- Most Indian students also preferred private accommodations near the university for cost savings and better amenities.
- How I Found My Accommodation
- Online Platforms – Websites like Rightmove, Zoopla, and SpareRoom helped in finding available rooms.
- Student Housing Groups – I joined Facebook, Telegram, and WhatsApp groups where students shared rental listings.
- Real Estate Agents – Local letting agents like UniHomes and Sheffield Student Property were also helpful.
Rent & Facilities
- Monthly Rent: £350 – £450 (excluding bills) or £450 – £550 (with bills included).
Facilities Included:
- Fully furnished rooms (bed, wardrobe, desk, chair).
- High-speed WiFi and all essential utilities (water, gas, electricity).
- Shared kitchen & living area (for those in-house shares).
- Laundry facilities (in most apartments).
- Challenges in Finding Accommodation
- High Demand & Limited Availability – Affordable student-friendly apartments filled up quickly.
- Upfront Costs – Most landlords require a deposit (one month’s rent) and advance payment.
- Guarantor Requirement – Some landlords asked for a UK-based guarantor (not always feasible for international students).
- Distance vs. Rent Trade-off – Finding a place close to campus at a low price was challenging.
Recommendations for Future Students
- Start Searching Early – Begin at least 2–3 months before arrival to get good deals.
- Use Student Groups & Networks – Join Telegram & WhatsApp groups where seniors post vacant rooms.
- Consider All-Inclusive Rent – Paying a slightly higher rent with bills included avoids hidden costs.
- Check for Hidden Charges – Ask about contract length, maintenance fees, and deposit refunds.
- Book Temporary Stay First – Stay in a hotel, Airbnb, or university short-term housing while searching for permanent accommodation.
- Distance from University & Where Most Indian Students Stay
- My Accommodation Distance: 10–15 minutes walk from the university (near the City Centre).
Popular Areas for Indian Students:
- City Centre & Bramall Lane – Close to university, affordable rent (~£400–£500).
- Ecclesall Road – Good for shared housing, near shops & restaurants (~£350–£450).
- London Road & Abbeydale Road – Budget-friendly, has many Indian restaurants & grocery stores.

Type of Accommodation: Off-Campus
- I chose off-campus accommodation because it was more affordable and flexible compared to university-managed halls.
- Most Indian students also preferred private accommodations near the university for cost savings and better amenities.
- How I Found My Accommodation
- Online Platforms – Websites like Rightmove, Zoopla, and SpareRoom helped in finding available rooms.
- Student Housing Groups – I joined Facebook, Telegram, and WhatsApp groups where students shared rental listings.
- Real Estate Agents – Local letting agents like UniHomes and Sheffield Student Property were also helpful.
Rent & Facilities
- Monthly Rent: £350 – £450 (excluding bills) or £450 – £550 (with bills included).
Facilities Included:
- Fully furnished rooms (bed, wardrobe, desk, chair).
- High-speed WiFi and all essential utilities (water, gas, electricity).
- Shared kitchen & living area (for those in-house shares).
- Laundry facilities (in most apartments).
- Challenges in Finding Accommodation
- High Demand & Limited Availability – Affordable student-friendly apartments filled up quickly.
- Upfront Costs – Most landlords require a deposit (one month’s rent) and advance payment.
- Guarantor Requirement – Some landlords asked for a UK-based guarantor (not always feasible for international students).
- Distance vs. Rent Trade-off – Finding a place close to campus at a low price was challenging.
Recommendations for Future Students
- Start Searching Early – Begin at least 2–3 months before arrival to get good deals.
- Use Student Groups & Networks – Join Telegram & WhatsApp groups where seniors post vacant rooms.
- Consider All-Inclusive Rent – Paying a slightly higher rent with bills included avoids hidden costs.
- Check for Hidden Charges – Ask about contract length, maintenance fees, and deposit refunds.
- Book Temporary Stay First – Stay in a hotel, Airbnb, or university short-term housing while searching for permanent accommodation.
- Distance from University & Where Most Indian Students Stay
- My Accommodation Distance: 10–15 minutes walk from the university (near the City Centre).
Popular Areas for Indian Students:
- City Centre & Bramall Lane – Close to university, affordable rent (~£400–£500).
- Ecclesall Road – Good for shared housing, near shops & restaurants (~£350–£450).
- London Road & Abbeydale Road – Budget-friendly, has many Indian restaurants & grocery stores.

academic: 10/10

faculty: 10/10

infrastructure: 10/10

accomodation: 8/10

placement: 8/10

extracurricular: 10/10

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Aayushi Shah

San Jose State University( Enrolled 2024 )MS Data AnalyticsFebruary 25, 2025

8.3 /10

San Jose State University : MY RIDE

Likes

Location - It is located in the heart of silicon valley. There are multiple networking events and opportunities and moreover I have heard from seniors that location has an added benefit while looking for full time job opportunities
Food Pantry - The university has an active program under which the students can get free groceries (the type and quantity depends on the availability) once a week. This enables me to have basic items such as milk, onions, potatoes, canned food for free.
Library - I quite like the library and it’s collection. It has 8 floors and first 4 floors are public library while the other floors have quieter seating space for studies and also have dedicated meeting rooms.

Dislikes

Campus size & part time job availability - The size of campus is quite small in comparison to other universities. This also reduces the available on campus part time job opportunities. The opportunities are too less and the competition is too high with majority students being Indians.
Curriculum- Talking about my curriculum, it is pretty rigid with no subjects to choose from. Subjects are already chosen for me unlike the education system here in the USA.
Less student clubs - I think there are lesser student clubs here.

Accommodation

Off Campus

I opted for off-campus housing. I asked around a few seniors for housing recommendations and then looked for availabilities on the property’s official website.
The challenge was new rented apartment options were posted at night time in India so we were sometimes awake till 3 in order to book an apartment.
There was a lot of competition there as well. Our apartment is for 3909 for 2b2b which is quite high but apartments are super pricey during fall intake in compared to spring intake.
My apartment is around 20 minutes by bus on a busy day and 30 minutes by walk from the university.

I opted for off-campus housing. I asked around a few seniors for housing recommendations and then looked for availabilities on the property’s official website.
The challenge was new rented apartment options were posted at night time in India so we were sometimes awake till 3 in order to book an apartment.
There was a lot of competition there as well. Our apartment is for 3909 for 2b2b which is quite high but apartments are super pricey during fall intake in compared to spring intake.
My apartment is around 20 minutes by bus on a busy day and 30 minutes by walk from the university.

academic: 10/10

faculty: 10/10

infrastructure: 8/10

accomodation: 8/10

placement: 6/10

extracurricular: 8/10

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Lekhana Gadde

San Jose State University( Enrolled 2023 )IELTS Score : 7MS Software EngineeringFebruary 10, 2025

5.0 /10

Journey of San Jose State University

Likes

Academics and professors are really good
Location and ease of access to community transportation
Tuition fees is comparatively less

Dislikes

Probably not as reputed as other top universities
Mostly better for undergrads other than grads
Cost of living is bit high and not a big campus

Accommodation

Off Campus

We have our friends who used to stay here and suggested some apartments but in general, its easier to search on the net or Facebook groups that post about accommodations.
They also have dorms to stay in on campus and there are also buildings near campus. Challenges are finding better roommates and good accommodation where everyone is helpful.

Monthly Expenses: USD$ 850

We have our friends who used to stay here and suggested some apartments but in general, its easier to search on the net or Facebook groups that post about accommodations.
They also have dorms to stay in on campus and there are also buildings near campus. Challenges are finding better roommates and good accommodation where everyone is helpful.

academic: 6/10

faculty: 6/10

infrastructure: 6/10

accomodation: 6/10

placement: 6/10

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Kunj Patel

San Jose State University( Enrolled 2024 )MS Engineering ManagementJanuary 30, 2025

9.7 /10

San Jose State University - My Masters Experience

Likes

Environment as it has nice ambition where we all can study together
Competition is very high as most of the students dream of this college
Teaching, processors are well refined in their subjects

Dislikes

I am not able to take the subjects that i want to take as elective as i m restricted to the provided list,
Also the prerequisites as i am in engineering managemnet course so i have to complete some prerequisites and before that i can not take BUS elective subjects,
Also the insurance, we have to buy the insurance from the college only we dont allow with third party

Accommodation

Off Campus

I have found my accommodations online on the site, according to the community; we were never here before so we didnt have any contacts but the online process is very convenient so we didn't face any difficulty. The rent here is 600 and the utilities are around $50 per person. It includes the in-house laundry and all the basic things that we need. We didn't get any challenges while finding the accommodations.
My accommodation is 1.2 miles from the campus but the buses are so frequent that we can reach home in just 20 minutes.
And I would suggest going for Avalon on the Alameda 1300 for your accommodation if you find the price very low.

I have found my accommodations online on the site, according to the community; we were never here before so we didnt have any contacts but the online process is very convenient so we didn't face any difficulty. The rent here is 600 and the utilities are around $50 per person. It includes the in-house laundry and all the basic things that we need. We didn't get any challenges while finding the accommodations.
My accommodation is 1.2 miles from the campus but the buses are so frequent that we can reach home in just 20 minutes.
And I would suggest going for Avalon on the Alameda 1300 for your accommodation if you find the price very low.

academic: 10/10

faculty: 10/10

infrastructure: 10/10

accomodation: 10/10

placement: 8/10

extracurricular: 10/10

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Devam Sheth

San Jose State University( Enrolled 2023 )MS Data ScienceApril 1, 2024

7.0 /10

SJSU - A Journey to your career

Accommodation

Off Campus

One can get accommodation on campus as well as off-campus. Generally, international students find it costly to live on campus. However, there is good community off campus at well.

academic: 8/10

faculty: 7/10

infrastructure: 9/10

accomodation: 9/10

placement: 9/10

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Karthik Shetty

San Jose State University( Enrolled 2023 )MS Data AnalyticsMarch 13, 2024

6.8 /10

Masters not like before

Likes

I always intended to pursue masters in Data Analytics as I always loved working around the data and make informed decisions. As San Jose city is well known for the field of Data Analytics, I opted to pursue my masters in SJSU as it is well reputed for this program and it is also situated in the silicon valley.
Culture and diversity. There are many students coming from all over the world to study in this college. So growing network is very much helpful and easy here.

Dislikes

Class timings. As most of the professors are working professionals, they take up the class once they finish their work. Like around we will be having class at 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM. I personally did not like this as I am a morning person.

Accommodation

Off Campus

I am living in off campus accomodation with 7 sharing and it comes around 600-650 USD/month including rent, utilities etc. And it is right in front of the college

SJSU is pretty good. They offer some well structured curicullum and the faculties here are well experienced. Learning wise this college is exceptional, but for jobs we need to apply outside as there is no placements and companies coming to college. Most of the universities here does not provide campus placements like India. Each student should approach to the company employers and apply.

academic: 9/10

faculty: 9/10

infrastructure: 9/10

accomodation: 7/10

placement: 7/10

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Harneet Ranauta

San Jose State University( Enrolled 2020 )M.P.HOctober 19, 2023

7.3 /10

Amazing experience!

Likes

University program aligned with my interests.

Accommodation

Off Campus

Living with family for most of the time, then moved to shared living with family friend.

It was good. I really enjoyed and degree was very productive. A lot of research experience and hands on writing experience. A lot of support in terms of research projects, jobs, on campus jobs, extra curricular activities.

academic: 9/10

faculty: 9/10

infrastructure: 10/10

accomodation: 8/10

placement: 8/10

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