by our College Data Analytics TeamIn 2020-2021, computer hardware engineering was the 1,069 most popular major nationwide with 67 degrees awarded. This is a difference of 18 over the prior year, a growth of 26.9%.
This year's Best Computer Hardware Engineering Schools ranking compares 3 of them to identify the best overall programs in the country. Explore this or one of our many other custom computer hardware engineering rankings further below.
A major in computer hardware engineering prepares you for careers in which understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents is crucial. Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems and giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times are all required skills for careers related to this major.
computer hardware engineering degree applicants generally need have finished high school or their GED. Many schools may also have GPA and SAT/ACT score minimums that must be met. Once you obtain your degree, additional computer hardware engineering certifications required to pursue a career in this field.
There are various different levels of computer hardware engineering degrees. You can get anything from a in computer hardware engineering to the highest computer hardware engineering degree, a . The type of computer hardware engineering degree you choose will determine how long it takes to get your diploma.
| 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 computer hardware engineering, with approximately 42.1% of workers getting one. People currently working in careers related to computer hardware engineering tend obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s Degree | 48.9% |
| Master’s Degree | 25.3% |
| Doctoral Degree | 13.0% |
| Post-Baccalaureate Certificate | 5.0% |
| Post-Doctoral Training | 3.5% |
About 54.1% of workers in careers related to computer hardware engineering obtain at least master's degrees. The chart below shows what degree level those who work in computer hardware engineering have obtained.
The education level required is different depending on the computer hardware engineering career you are seeking.
Want a job when you graduate with your computer hardware engineering degree? Computer Hardware Engineering careers are expected to grow 6.9% between 2016 and 2026.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to computer hardware engineering.
| Occupation Name | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Architectural and Engineering Managers | 190,000 | 5.5% |
| Computer Hardware Engineers | 77,600 | 5.4% |
| Engineering Professors | 54,600 | 14.7% |
As you might expect, salaries for computer hardware engineering graduates vary depending on the level of education that was acquired.
Salaries for computer hardware engineering graduates can vary widely by the occupation you choose as well. The following table shows the top highest paying careers computer hardware engineering grads often go into.
| Occupation Name | Median Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Architectural and Engineering Managers | $148,970 |
| Computer Hardware Engineers | $117,840 |
| Engineering Professors | $113,680 |
With over 17 different computer hardware engineering 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 computer hardware engineering school rankings to help you with this.
Computer Hardware Engineering is one of 3 different types of Computer Engineering programs to choose from.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| General Computer Engineering | 13,520 |
| Software Engineering | 4,251 |
| Other Computer Engineering | 149 |
