Should I choose Arizona State or UCLA for computer science?

For computer science, UCLA usually makes more sense for a student who wants a more academically intense environment, a very strong overall reputation in tech, and access to a dense Southern California internship network. Its CS program is well regarded, the campus is in reach of major tech employers in Los Angeles and the West Coast, and the student community tends to be filled with high-achieving peers who can push you hard.

That said, Arizona State can be the smarter pick for a student who wants more flexibility, a less pressurized atmosphere, and often more accessible support at a large public university that has invested heavily in career development and industry connections. ASU has a big engineering ecosystem, a practical orientation, and strong ties to employers in the Phoenix area, which has been growing quickly in tech and semiconductors.

Choose UCLA if you want to be surrounded by a highly selective student body and you are comfortable competing for research spots, upper-level opportunities, and recruiting attention. UCLA can open doors simply because employers know the program well, and its location helps with internships during the school year, not just in the summer. For students aiming at top-tier software roles, research-heavy paths, or possibly grad school, UCLA often gives more momentum.

Choose ASU if you think you will thrive by taking initiative in a school where there may be more room to stand out. Students who actively use office hours, career fairs, project teams, and Barrett Honors if applicable can build a very strong resume there. In practice, a motivated ASU student can absolutely land excellent software jobs, especially with internships, but you may need to be more deliberate about chasing the highest-end opportunities.

On professor access and support, neither school is tiny, so personal attention is not automatic. UCLA may offer stronger prestige and research depth, but ASU often feels more intentionally structured around student support and career preparation. If cost is meaningfully lower at ASU, that can matter a lot in tech, where your projects, internships, and skills often outweigh a name difference after your first job.

If both are affordable, I would lean UCLA for CS. If ASU is substantially cheaper or feels like the place where you would be more proactive and successful, that is a very defensible choice.