by our College Data Analytics TeamA degree in General Computer Engineering explores Computer Engineering, General. A Program That Generally Prepares Individuals To Apply Mathematical And Scientific Principles To The Design, Development And Operational Evaluation Of Computer Hardware And Software Systems And Related Equipment And Facilities; And The Analysis Of Specific Problems Of Computer Applications To Various Tasks. Examples: [Computer Systems Engineering]. Read on to learn the important information every general computer engineering student should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering general computer engineering programs.
Nationwide, general computer engineering is a popular field of study, with 13,508 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best General Computer Engineering Schools ranking analyzes these 303 schools to determine the best overall colleges for general computer engineering students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of general computer engineering programs later in this article.
Programs in General Computer Engineering build a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations general computer engineering graduates commonly enter.
Skills developed in a general computer engineering program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Based on O*NET data, a general computer engineering major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several general 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 35 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 9,386 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 3,706 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 381 |
People currently working in careers related to general computer engineering tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | 34.4% |
| Doctoral degree | 23.1% |
| Master’s degree | 12.7% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 7.2% |
| Post-doctoral training | 6.7% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 4.7% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 4.1% |
| Some college courses | 2.5% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 2.1% |
| First professional degree | 1.3% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 0.9% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 0.2% |
View the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in general computer engineering careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
A degree in general computer engineering opens doors to a variety of career paths. Below are some of the most common occupations related to general computer engineering.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to general 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 general 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 general computer engineering graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers general 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 303 different general computer engineering programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased general computer engineering school rankings to help you.
Students interested in general computer engineering, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Computer Software Engineering | 5,994 |
| Computer Engineering, Other | 404 |
| Computer Hardware Engineering | 80 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
