# Computer Engineering

> 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.

- Edition: Data verified Nov 2026 · CollegesRef 2026–27 edition
- Page: https://www.collegesref.com/programs/computer-engineering
- CIP code: 14.09 (Engineering)
- Colleges offering it: 367 at its most common degree level
- Value ranking: https://www.collegesref.com/best-colleges/computer-engineering

## Outcomes by degree level (College Scorecard, 2025)

| Degree level | Colleges | Median earnings 1 yr | Median earnings 4 yrs | Median federal debt |
| --- | ---: | ---: | ---: | ---: |
| Certificate | 22 | $64,190 | not reported | $17,343 |
| Associate's | 31 | $53,528 | $69,873 | $22,430 |
| Bachelor's | 367 | $80,987 | $104,785 | $21,499 |
| Master's | 159 | $107,332 | $134,340 | $33,888 |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 5 | $90,632 | not reported | not reported |
| Doctoral | 64 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| First professional | 1 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Graduate/professional certificate | 42 | not reported | not reported | not reported |

## Colleges whose graduates earn the most (Bachelor's)

Only programs with at least 10 graduates are listed.

| College | Location | Median earnings 4 yrs | Median debt |
| --- | --- | ---: | ---: |
| [University of California-Los Angeles](https://www.collegesref.com/college/university-of-california-los-angeles-ucla-2884) | Los Angeles, CA | $228,705 | $17,731 |
| [Columbia University in the City of New York](https://www.collegesref.com/college/columbia-university-in-the-city-of-new-york-656) | New York, NY | $194,365 | not reported |
| [Duke University](https://www.collegesref.com/college/duke-university-837) | Durham, NC | $174,522 | $12,000 |
| [University of Washington-Bothell Campus](https://www.collegesref.com/college/university-of-washington-bothell-campus-3074) | Bothell, WA | $169,570 | $13,570 |
| [University of Washington-Seattle](https://www.collegesref.com/college/university-of-washington-seattle-main-campus-3075) | Seattle, WA | $169,570 | $13,570 |
| [University of Washington-Tacoma Campus](https://www.collegesref.com/college/university-of-washington-tacoma-campus-3076) | Tacoma, WA | $169,570 | $13,570 |
| [University of Southern California](https://www.collegesref.com/college/university-of-southern-california-usc-3050) | Los Angeles, CA | $166,369 | not reported |
| [Santa Clara University](https://www.collegesref.com/college/santa-clara-university-2371) | Santa Clara, CA | $163,765 | $24,500 |
| [University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign](https://www.collegesref.com/college/university-of-illinois-at-urbana-champaign-main-campus-2927) | Champaign, IL | $159,855 | $18,593 |
| [Bucknell University](https://www.collegesref.com/college/bucknell-university-331) | Lewisburg, PA | $156,885 | not reported |

## Related careers (NCES CIP–SOC crosswalk)

- [Architectural and Engineering Managers](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/architectural-and-engineering-managers): $171,270 median pay
- [Biofuels/Biodiesel Technology and Product Development Managers](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/biofuels-biodiesel-technology-and-product-development-managers): $171,270 median pay
- [Computer Hardware Engineers](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/computer-hardware-engineers): $161,740 median pay
- [Data Warehousing Specialists](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/data-warehousing-specialists): $139,500 median pay
- [Database Architects](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/database-architects): $139,500 median pay
- [Software Developers](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/software-developers): $135,980 median pay
- [Computer Network Architects](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/computer-network-architects): $134,050 median pay
- [Telecommunications Engineering Specialists](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/telecommunications-engineering-specialists): $134,050 median pay
- [Engineering Teachers, Postsecondary](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/engineering-teachers-postsecondary): $109,270 median pay
- [Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/software-quality-assurance-analysts-and-testers): $104,300 median pay

## More in Engineering

- [Engineering, General](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/engineering-general): 452 colleges
- [Mechanical Engineering](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/mechanical-engineering): 395 colleges
- [Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/electrical-electronics-and-communications-engineering): 387 colleges
- [Civil Engineering](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/civil-engineering): 300 colleges
- [Biomedical/Medical Engineering](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/biomedical-medical-engineering): 200 colleges
- [Chemical Engineering](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/chemical-engineering): 182 colleges
- [Environmental/Environmental Health Engineering](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/environmental-environmental-health-engineering): 130 colleges
- [Industrial Engineering](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/industrial-engineering): 128 colleges

## Sources

- U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard field-of-study data, 2025: https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/data/
- NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) 2020: https://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/cipcode/