by our College Data Analytics TeamA major in Software Engineering covers Computer Software Engineering. A Program That Prepares Individuals To Apply Scientific And Mathematical Principles To The Design, Analysis, Verification, Validation, Implementation, And Maintenance Of Computer Software Systems Using A Variety Of Computer Languages. Includes Instruction In Discrete Mathematics, Probability And Statistics, Computer Science, Managerial Science, And Applications To Complex Computer Systems. Read on to learn the key facts every software engineering student should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering software engineering programs.
Across the country, software engineering is a widely-pursued major, with 5,994 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Software Engineering Schools ranking analyzes these 135 schools to determine the best overall colleges for software engineering students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of software engineering programs later in this article.
Coursework for Software Engineering build a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations software engineering graduates commonly enter.
Skills built by a software engineering program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Per O*NET surveys, a software engineering major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several software 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 | 172 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 181 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 2,610 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 2,997 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 26 |
People currently working in careers related to software engineering tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | 32.7% |
| Doctoral degree | 28.4% |
| Master’s degree | 10.9% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 9.1% |
| Post-doctoral training | 8.5% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 4.0% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 2.4% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 1.2% |
| Some college courses | 1.1% |
| First professional degree | 0.8% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 0.8% |
View the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in software engineering careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
A degree in software engineering prepares you for many career paths. Below are some of the most common occupations related to software engineering.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to software 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% |
| Database Architects | 335,771 | 4.3% |
| Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers | 273,210 | -1.7% |
| Architectural and Engineering Managers | 207,139 | 9.0% |
| Software Developers | 145,079 | 13.5% |
| Data Warehousing Specialists | 113,258 | 3.9% |
Federal data tracks median earnings of software 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 software engineering graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers software engineering grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Database Architects | $148,480 |
| 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 135 different software engineering programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased software engineering school rankings to help you.
If you are interested in software 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 Engineering, Other | 404 |
| Computer Hardware Engineering | 80 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
