by our College Data Analytics TeamA degree in Computer Engineering Technology involves the study of Computer Engineering Technology/technician. A Program That Prepares Individuals To Apply Basic Engineering Principles And Technical Skills In Support Of Computer Engineers Engaged In Designing And Developing Computer Systems And Installations. Includes Instruction In Computer Electronics And Programming, Prototype Development And Testing, Systems Installation And Testing, Solid State And Microminiature Circuitry, Peripheral Equipment, And Report Preparation. Read on to learn the important information every computer engineering technology student should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering computer engineering technology programs.
In the U.S., computer engineering technology is a popular field of study, with 1,215 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Computer Engineering Technology Schools ranking analyzes these 84 schools to determine the best overall colleges for computer engineering technology students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of computer engineering technology programs later in this article.
Programs in Computer Engineering Technology build a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations computer engineering technology graduates commonly enter.
The skill set built by a computer engineering technology program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
According to O*NET, a computer engineering technology major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several computer engineering technology degree levels. The table below shows the typical length of the most common levels, and how many graduates earn each one.
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 5 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 478 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 420 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 312 |
People currently working in careers related to computer engineering technology tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| High school diploma or equivalent | 33.0% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 25.7% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 22.3% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 7.5% |
| Some college courses | 7.4% |
| Master’s degree | 2.5% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 1.5% |
See the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in computer engineering technology careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Studying computer engineering technology can lead to a variety of career paths. Below are some of the most common occupations related to computer engineering technology.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to computer engineering technology.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Photonics Technicians | 306,018 | 1.6% |
| Non-Destructive Testing Specialists | 295,668 | 3.0% |
| Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers | 273,210 | -1.7% |
| Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other | 169,705 | 2.0% |
| Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians | 150,615 | 0.3% |
The U.S. Department of Education tracks median earnings of computer engineering technology graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. These numbers tend to grow as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $33,769 |
| 4 years | $47,945 |
| 5 years | $55,101 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for computer engineering technology graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers computer engineering technology grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other | $121,642 |
| Photonics Technicians | $106,964 |
| Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers | $80,062 |
| Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $61,455 |
| Non-Destructive Testing Specialists | $57,631 |
With 84 different computer engineering technology programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased computer engineering technology school rankings to help you.
If you are interested in computer engineering technology, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Computer/Computer Systems Technology/Technician | 1,272 |
| Computer Engineering Technologies/Technicians, Other | 492 |
| Computer Software Technology/Technician | 278 |
| Computer Hardware Technology/Technician | 18 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
