by our College Data Analytics TeamGeneral Computer Engineering was the 58th most popular major in the 2020-2021 school year. Colleges in the United States reported awarding 13,520 degrees in this year alone. This represents a 4.6% increase in general computer engineering degrees awarded over the prior year's total of 12,892.
This year's Best General Computer Engineering Schools ranking compares 215 of them to identify the best overall programs in the country. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of general computer engineering programs later in this article.
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems has been highlighted as one of the most essential skills for careers related to general computer engineering. Required skills include understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents 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.
New students will need to have completed high school or a GED program and each school will have their own minimum GPA and SAT/ACT test requirements. Specific general computer engineering careers may require a certain level of degree attainment or additional certifications beyond that.
General Computer Engineering degree levels vary. You can spend many years getting as high as a in general computer engineering to something that takes less time like a . Different general computer engineering degrees vary in how long they take.
| 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 general computer engineering, with approximately 54.4% of workers getting one. See the the most common levels of education for general computer engineering 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% |
89.5% of general computer engineering workers have at least a bachelor's. View the chart below to get an idea of what degree level most of those in general computer engineering careers have.
This of course varies depending on which general computer engineering career you choose.
Want a job when you graduate with your general computer engineering degree? General 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 general 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% |
As you might expect, salaries for general computer engineering graduates vary depending on the level of education that was acquired.
Salaries for general computer engineering graduates can vary widely by the occupation you choose as well. The following table shows the top highest paying careers general computer engineering 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 542 different general computer 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 general computer engineering school rankings to help you with this.
General Computer Engineering is one of 3 different types of Computer Engineering programs to choose from.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Software Engineering | 4,251 |
| Other Computer Engineering | 149 |
| Computer Hardware Engineering | 67 |
