by our College Data Analytics TeamDo you love learning how computers work? Does analyzing, developing, and designing computer hardware and software sound like your dream job? If so, Computer Engineering may be the major for you. The field of computer engineering has drastically changed our way of life over the last few decades. Computer engineering includes working with operating systems, computer networks, artificial intelligence, robotics, computer architecture, and computer-aided design. You will also learn about electronic circuits along with hardware and software aspects in this major.
Some courses that you may come across could include: computer architecture, computer assisted design, calculus, digital imaging, introduction to data structures, physics, programming languages, systems programming, electricity, circuitry, and electro mechanics.
In 2021-2022, computer engineering was the 56th most popular major nationwide with 16,954 degrees awarded. Our 2025 Best Computer Engineering Schools ranking analyzes 200 of these schools to determine the best overall colleges for computer engineering students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of ce programs later in this article.
Do you enjoy working independently, while still being part of a team? This major will require spending time on your own time solving complex problems, as well as presenting solutions to others and listening to feedback. You should enjoy solving complex problems with advanced mathematics.
Creativity is also an important element of this work as you create and design new devices. Your professors will be asking you to think outside the box and to create something new and useful. Thinking of ways to improve current computer and devices or designing new ones should be something you find enjoyable. Communication skills are also important in this field. You will spend time working with your team members, your professors, or other professionals, so speaking skills are imperative.
Engineering students tend to spend long hours studying and finding answers to difficult problems. Those who persevere will have a satisfying and exciting career of coming up with new, innovative products.
A high school diploma or equivalent is typically required for most ce degree programs and many students will need a minimum GPA and SAT/ACT score depending on the school. In addition to these basic computer engineering program qualifications, to serve in some ce careers, special certification may be required outside of your degree.
There are various different levels of ce degrees. You can spend many years getting as high as a in computer engineering to something that takes less time like a . How long it takes to complete some common ce degree levels is shown below.
| Degree | Credit Requirements | Typical Program Length |
|---|---|---|
| Associate Degree | 60-70 credits | 2 years |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 120 credits | 4 years |
| Master’s Degree | 50-70 credits | 1-3 years |
| Doctorate | Program required coursework including thesis or dissertation | At least 4 years |
A bachelor's degree is the most common level of education achieved by those in careers related to ce, with approximately 54.4% of workers getting one. Find out other typical degree levels for ce workers below.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s Degree | 59.6% |
| Master’s Degree | 18.9% |
| Doctoral Degree | 6.1% |
| Associate’s Degree (or other 2-year degree) | 4.1% |
| Post-Secondary Certificate | 4.0% |
Most workers in ce have at least a bachelor's degree. The chart below shows what degree level those who work in computer engineering have obtained.
The education level required is different depending on the ce career you are seeking.
Obtaining your degree in computer engineering will allow you to go in many different directions. Right after graduating you could get a job with a digital hardware design firm, software engineering companies, or a telecommunication firm. This major is usually closely linked with electrical engineering so you could work in that field if desired. Some students will attend graduate school in either Computer Engineering or even Business or Law.
To increase your chances of finding work in computer engineering you should make sure your college offers an ABET-accredited program.
Want a job when you graduate with your ce degree? Computer Engineering careers are expected to grow 19.4% between 2016 and 2026.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to computer engineering.
| Occupation Name | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Software Applications Developers | 1,086,600 | 30.7% |
| Systems Software Developers | 472,100 | 11.1% |
| Architectural and Engineering Managers | 190,000 | 5.5% |
| Computer Network Architects | 173,200 | 6.5% |
| Computer Hardware Engineers | 77,600 | 5.4% |
Computer Engineering graduates between <nil> reported earning an average of $83,626 in the <nil> timeframe. Earnings can range from as low as $28,052 to as high as $177,890. As you might expect, salaries for ce graduates vary depending on the level of education that was acquired.
Salaries for computer engineering graduates can vary widely by the occupation you choose as well. The following table shows the top highest paying careers ce grads often go into.
| Occupation Name | Median Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Architectural and Engineering Managers | $148,970 |
| Computer Hardware Engineers | $117,840 |
| Systems Software Developers | $114,000 |
| Engineering Professors | $113,680 |
| Computer Network Architects | $111,130 |
With over 820 different ce degree programs to choose from, finding the best fit for you can be a challenge. Fortunately you have come to the right place. We have analyzed all of these schools to come up with hundreds of unbiased ce school rankings to help you with this.
One of 41 majors within the Engineering area of study, Computer Engineering has other similar majors worth exploring.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| General Computer Engineering | 12,608 |
| Software Engineering | 4,123 |
| Other Computer Engineering | 178 |
| Computer Hardware Engineering | 45 |
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Mechanical Engineering | 44,794 |
| Electrical Engineering | 26,528 |
| Civil Engineering | 20,655 |
| Biomedical Engineering | 13,222 |
| Chemical Engineering | 12,248 |
