I've interviewed CS degree grads who made excellent grades at big name schools but didn't seem to have much first hand experience in really developing challenging programs. Many simply did the assignments and worked on a few group projects and didn't seem to have much to say about what kind of technology and applications they had been working with. In contrast, I've interviewed (and hired) grads from colleges didn't even have an actual CS program. The two individuals were CIS grads that had managed to gain some pretty impressive experience with complex projects and could demonstrate a very high level of understanding though their explainations of college projects. They also had some gained some valuable experience working part time doing software work outside of school. The point here is that a really good education, with solid experience and understanding, can be achieved at not-so-prestigious college IF you work hard to apply yourself and your knowledge. I think the bigger and more prestigious schools often have labs and resources that give you the chance to work with more advanced technology, and that can certainly pay enormous dividends to your experience. I would be more concerned with the more prestigious schools when/if you go to do your graduate work.
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I've interviewed CS degree grads who made excellent grades at big name schools but didn't seem to have much first hand experience in really developing challenging programs. Many simply did the assignments and worked on a few group projects and didn't seem to have much to say about what kind of technology and applications they had been working with. In contrast, I've interviewed (and hired) grads from colleges didn't even have an actual CS program. The two individuals were CIS grads that had managed to gain some pretty impressive experience with complex projects and could demonstrate a very high level of understanding though their explainations of college projects. They also had some gained some valuable experience working part time doing software work outside of school. The point here is that a really good education, with solid experience and understanding, can be achieved at not-so-prestigious college IF you work hard to apply yourself and your knowledge. I think the bigger and more prestigious schools often have labs and resources that give you the chance to work with more advanced technology, and that can certainly pay enormous dividends to your experience. I would be more concerned with the more prestigious schools when/if you go to do your graduate work.