by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 374 U.S. colleges awarded 21,335 degrees and certificates in Computer Engineering. Bachelor’s degrees are the most popular award, at 63% of graduates. College Factual ranks 236 schools in its 2027 Best Computer Engineering Schools ranking and compares their cost in a Best Value ranking. Graduates earn a median $83,126 one year after completing, rising to $115,160 after four years.
Do 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.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
Across the country, computer engineering draws strong interest, with 21,335 degrees awarded annually. 374 colleges award computer engineering degrees, an average of 57 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 1,391.
By level, the 21,335 awards include 100 certificates, 267 associate degrees, 13,522 bachelor’s degrees, 7,004 master’s degrees and 442 doctorates.
Women earned 21% of computer engineering degrees and certificates in the latest year (4,431 of 21,335). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (6,844) and Asian (3,574), and international students earned 6,320.
College Factual ranks 236 schools in its 2027 Best Computer Engineering Schools ranking, including 6 for associate degrees, 215 for bachelor’s degrees, 88 for master’s degrees and 16 for doctorates. It also ranks computer engineering schools within 46 states. In all, 374 colleges offer computer engineering programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value Computer Engineering Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
The most common computer engineering credential is the bachelor’s degree: 13,522 of the 21,335 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to computer engineering call most for Reading Comprehension, Speaking and Critical Thinking, and for knowledge of Engineering and Technology, Computers and Electronics and Mathematics, according to O*NET. The most important abilities are Oral Expression, Written Comprehension and Oral Comprehension.
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.
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How long a computer engineering degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 100 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 267 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 13,522 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 7,004 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 442 |
Doctoral degree is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to computer engineering, at 29.3%.
| 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% |
Source: O*NET Online.
10 occupations are related to Computer Engineering, with an average median salary of $93,764; the strongest outlook belongs to Software Developers, at 13.5% projected job growth. Typical job titles include Chemical Engineering Professor, Automotive Engineering Teacher, Electronic Science Teacher and Adjunct Engineering Instructor.
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.
The occupation related to computer engineering with the most projected jobs is Engineering Teachers, Postsecondary, at 1,297,204.
| 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% |
Computer Engineering graduates earn a median $83,126 one year after completing their program, $115,160 after four years and $111,175 after five years, according to the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $83,126 |
| 4 years | $115,160 |
| 5 years | $111,175 |
Source: College Scorecard.
The highest-paying occupation related to computer engineering is Database Architects, with a median salary of $148,480.
| 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 |
Computer Engineering includes 4 concentrations that together award 21,335 degrees a year; by graduates, the largest are Computer Engineering, General (13,987), Computer Software Engineering (6,659) and Computer Engineering, Other (568). It has 40 similar majors in the Engineering field, which together award 181,700 degrees a year; the largest are Mechanical Engineering (43,874), Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering (27,513) and Civil Engineering (19,856). Browse all Engineering majors or the full list of college majors.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Computer Engineering, General | 13,987 |
| Computer Software Engineering | 6,659 |
| Computer Engineering, Other | 568 |
| Computer Hardware Engineering | 121 |
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Mechanical Engineering | 43,874 |
| Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering | 27,513 |
| Civil Engineering | 19,856 |
| Engineering, General | 14,789 |
| Biomedical/Medical Engineering | 14,592 |
| Chemical Engineering | 10,559 |
| Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical/Space Engineering | 10,170 |
| Industrial Engineering | 8,023 |
| Systems Engineering | 4,489 |
| Engineering, Other | 3,344 |
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