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.
Studying Computer Engineering covers Computer Engineering. Read on to learn the important information every computer engineering student should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering computer engineering programs.
Across the country, computer engineering draws strong interest, with 19,986 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Computer Engineering Schools ranking analyzes these 368 schools to determine the best overall colleges for computer engineering students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of computer engineering programs later in this article.
Studies in Computer Engineering develop a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations computer engineering graduates commonly enter.
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.
Skills built by a computer engineering program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
According to O*NET, a computer engineering major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several computer engineering 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 | 181 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 218 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 12,158 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 7,008 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 413 |
People currently working in careers related to computer engineering tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Doctoral degree | 29.3% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 28.2% |
| Master’s degree | 12.6% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 9.3% |
| Post-doctoral training | 8.7% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 3.5% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 3.0% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 1.7% |
| Some college courses | 1.6% |
| First professional degree | 1.3% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 0.7% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 0.1% |
See the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in computer engineering careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
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.
Majoring in computer engineering opens doors to a variety of career paths. Here are some of the most common occupations related to computer engineering.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to computer engineering.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Engineering Teachers, Postsecondary | 1,297,204 | -2.0% |
| Biofuels/Biodiesel Technology and Product Development Managers | 440,884 | 8.0% |
| Computer Hardware Engineers | 412,134 | 11.3% |
| Database Architects | 335,771 | 4.3% |
| Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers | 273,210 | -1.7% |
| Telecommunications Engineering Specialists | 242,585 | 5.7% |
| Architectural and Engineering Managers | 207,139 | 9.0% |
| Software Developers | 145,079 | 13.5% |
Federal data tracks median earnings of computer engineering graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Wages typically rise as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $82,085 |
| 4 years | $94,356 |
| 5 years | $109,878 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for computer engineering graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers computer engineering grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Database Architects | $148,480 |
| Telecommunications Engineering Specialists | $117,478 |
| Data Warehousing Specialists | $117,424 |
| Architectural and Engineering Managers | $101,277 |
| Biofuels/Biodiesel Technology and Product Development Managers | $89,263 |
| Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers | $80,062 |
| Engineering Teachers, Postsecondary | $79,889 |
| Software Developers | $76,447 |
With 368 different computer engineering programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased computer engineering school rankings to help you.
If you are interested in computer engineering, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Computer Engineering, General | 13,508 |
| Computer Software Engineering | 5,994 |
| Computer Engineering, Other | 404 |
| Computer Hardware Engineering | 80 |
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Mechanical Engineering | 42,939 |
| Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering | 26,760 |
| Civil Engineering | 20,005 |
| Biomedical/Medical Engineering | 13,914 |
| Engineering, General | 13,411 |
| Chemical Engineering | 10,939 |
| Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical/Space Engineering | 9,596 |
| Industrial Engineering | 8,533 |
| Systems Engineering | 3,956 |
| Engineering, Other | 3,529 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
