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2027 Best Software Engineering Schools in Pennsylvania

8 Colleges in the United States
488 Software Engineering Degrees Awarded
$86,105 Avg Early-Career Salary

Software Engineering degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. The schools below stand out for the quality of their software engineering programs.

For its 2027 ranking, College Factual looked at 8 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for software engineering students pursuing a degree.

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Best Schools for Software Engineering in Pennsylvania

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall software engineering education in Pennsylvania.

Top Schools in Software Engineering

1

Leading the list is Carnegie Mellon University, our #1 school for software engineering. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Pittsburgh. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. There were roughly 237 software engineering students who graduated with this degree at Carnegie Mellon University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, software engineering degree recipients from Carnegie Mellon University generally make around $89,327. Students borrow a median of $23,529 to complete this degree. Read more about the software engineering program at Carnegie Mellon University

2
Villanova University crest
Villanova University
Villanova, PA

Villanova University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in software engineering, landing the #2 spot this year. Villanova University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Villanova. Villanova University graduates 92% of students within six years. There were roughly 14 software engineering students who graduated with this degree at Villanova University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their software engineering degree from Villanova University earn around $108,248 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in software engineering from Villanova University

3

Gannon University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in software engineering, ranking #3. Located in the city of Erie, Gannon University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. About 67% of students finish within six years. About 13 software engineering degrees were awarded at Gannon University in the most recent year. Software Engineering graduates of Gannon University earn a median of $73,658 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $26,934 to complete this degree. Get the full software engineering details for Gannon University

4
Drexel University crest
Drexel University
Philadelphia, PA

Drexel University came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best software engineering schools. Drexel University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Philadelphia. Roughly 78% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 99 software engineering degrees were awarded at Drexel University in the most recent year. Graduates of the software engineering program make about $101,510 in their early career. Drexel University graduates carry a median of $28,166 in student loans. Get the full software engineering details for Drexel University

5

Thaddeus Stevens College Of Technology is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in software engineering, ranking #5. Thaddeus Stevens College Of Technology is a small public school located in the city of Lancaster. There were roughly 29 software engineering students who graduated with this degree at Thaddeus Stevens College Of Technology in the most recent data year. Graduates of the software engineering program make about $48,257 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $9,915. See the full software engineering program report for Thaddeus Stevens College Of Technology

6

Pennsylvania State University Penn State Erie Behrend College ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best software engineering schools. Pennsylvania State University Penn State Erie Behrend College is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Erie. Roughly 44% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 19 software engineering degrees were awarded at Pennsylvania State University Penn State Erie Behrend College in the most recent year. Software Engineering graduates of Pennsylvania State University Penn State Erie Behrend College earn a median of $85,446 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $26,708. See the full software engineering program report for Pennsylvania State University Penn State Erie Behrend College

7

Pennsylvania State University World Campus came in at #7 for software engineering this year. Set in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University World Campus is a large public institution. Pennsylvania State University World Campus graduates 34% of students within six years. There were roughly 62 software engineering students who graduated with this degree at Pennsylvania State University World Campus in the most recent data year. Software Engineering graduates of Pennsylvania State University World Campus earn a median of $101,819 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $26,708. See the full software engineering program report for Pennsylvania State University World Campus

8

Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best software engineering schools. This moderately-sized public university is located in the town of Shippensburg. Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania graduates 56% of students within six years. About 15 software engineering degrees were awarded at Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania in the most recent year. Software Engineering graduates of Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $80,574 early in their careers. Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Get the full software engineering details for Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania

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Notes and References

The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 8 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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