Just by their admission standards, these top tier schools are going to have a higher percentage of very smart students who are fundamentally prepared for colleg

Just by their admission standards, these top tier schools are going to have a higher percentage of very smart students who are fundamentally prepared for college and have learned how to learn. At the university, they also have an advantage of learning from and interacting with a faculty who are themselves, leaders in their respective fields. Thus, there are opportunities to participate in cutting edge research that isn't offered at other schools. A computer language is simply a tool to get things done. Education isn't about learning the latest and greatest tool but applying what you know with what you have in an effective and productive manner. To wit, Fortran, that old-timey language from the 60s, is still being used in modern research in physics, electronics, and other technical disciplines.