by our College Data Analytics TeamA major in Computer Hardware Engineering explores Computer Hardware Engineering. A Program That Prepares Individuals To Apply Mathematical And Scientific Principles To The Design, Development, And Evaluation Of Computer Hardware And Related Peripheral Equipment. Includes Instruction In Computer Circuit And Chip Design, Circuitry, Computer Systems Design, Computer Equipment Design, Computer Layout Planning, Testing Procedures, And Related Computer Theory And Software Topics. Continue reading for the important information every computer hardware engineering major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering computer hardware engineering programs.
Across the country, computer hardware engineering is a popular field of study, with 80 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Computer Hardware Engineering Schools ranking analyzes these 6 schools to determine the best overall colleges for computer hardware engineering students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of computer hardware engineering programs later in this article.
Coursework for Computer Hardware Engineering develop a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations computer hardware engineering graduates commonly enter.
The skill set emphasized by a computer hardware engineering program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Based on O*NET data, a computer hardware engineering major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several computer hardware 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 2 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 18 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 58 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 2 |
People currently working in careers related to computer hardware engineering tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Doctoral degree | 35.3% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 21.9% |
| Master’s degree | 15.9% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 11.0% |
| Post-doctoral training | 10.3% |
| First professional degree | 1.6% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 1.1% |
| Some college courses | 1.1% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 0.9% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 0.8% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 0.2% |
See the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in computer hardware engineering careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Studying computer hardware engineering can lead to many career paths. These are some of the most common occupations related to computer hardware engineering.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to computer hardware 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% |
| Architectural and Engineering Managers | 207,139 | 9.0% |
The U.S. Department of Education tracks median earnings of computer hardware 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 hardware engineering graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers computer hardware engineering grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Architectural and Engineering Managers | $101,277 |
| Biofuels/Biodiesel Technology and Product Development Managers | $89,263 |
| Engineering Teachers, Postsecondary | $79,889 |
| Computer Hardware Engineers | $63,909 |
With 6 different computer hardware engineering programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased computer hardware engineering school rankings to help you.
Those considering computer hardware engineering, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Computer Engineering, General | 13,508 |
| Computer Software Engineering | 5,994 |
| Computer Engineering, Other | 404 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
