Best colleges for Computer Engineering in Pennsylvania
Ranked by graduate earnings
Villanova University, Bucknell University and Drexel University are the top bachelor's Computer Engineering programs in Pennsylvania by graduate earnings. Villanova University leads with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $94,228, College Scorecard. Carnegie Mellon University, Drexel University and Pennsylvania State University award the most Computer Engineering degrees in Pennsylvania: 285, 171 and 93 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 19 Pennsylvania colleges offer Computer Engineering and award 1,025 degrees and certificates a year in all.
The Computer Engineering program combines principles of computer science and engineering, focusing on the design and development of computer hardware and software systems. This program is ideal for students interested in the intersection…
Top 7 bachelor's programs, ranked by graduate earnings
Ranked by median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard. Programs with fewer than 20 graduates a year, a graduation rate under 30%, or online, degree-completion or graduate-only status rank after the rest.
| # | Institution | Starting salary (1 yr) | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Villanova University Villanova Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $94,228 | 59 | 92% | $33,774 | $26,000 |
| 2 | Bucknell University Lewisburg Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $90,171 | 35 | 86% | $30,675 | — |
| 3 | Drexel University Philadelphia Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $89,418 | 171 | 78% | $36,004 | $28,166 |
| 4 | Lehigh University Bethlehem Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $82,209 | 31 | 88% | $26,912 | $24,625 |
| 5 | University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus Pittsburgh Public · Bachelor's degree | $78,075 | 76 | 85% | — | $26,837 |
| 6 | Pennsylvania State University - World Campus University Park Public · Bachelor's degree Online | $85,446 | 121 | 34% | — | $26,708 |
| 7 | Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania Shippensburg Public · Bachelor's degree Small program | $80,574 | 15 | 56% | — | $27,000 |
Top certificate or associate program
Shorter credentials, ranked separately so they are not compared with four-year degrees. Ranked by median earnings one year after completion (often called starting salary), College Scorecard.
| # | Institution | Starting salary (1 yr) | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology Lancaster Public · Associate degree | $48,257 | 29 | 71% | — | — |
Colleges awarding the most Computer Engineering degrees in Pennsylvania
Top 10 by graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25 completions). Certificate and associate programs, online, degree-completion and graduate-only schools, and schools with a graduation rate under 30% are listed in full below.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Starting salary (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Carnegie Mellon University Pittsburgh Private not-for-profit | 285 | Not reported |
| 2 | Drexel University Philadelphia Private not-for-profit | 171 | $89,418 |
| 3 | Pennsylvania State University University Park Public | 93 | $85,446 |
| 4 | University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus Pittsburgh Public | 76 | $78,075 |
| 5 | Villanova University Villanova Private not-for-profit | 59 | $94,228 |
| 6 | Bucknell University Lewisburg Private not-for-profit | 35 | $90,171 |
| 7 | Lehigh University Bethlehem Private not-for-profit | 31 | $82,209 |
| 8 | Pennsylvania State University - Penn State Erie-Behrend College Erie Public | 30 | Not reported |
| 9 | Gannon University Erie Private not-for-profit | 24 | Not reported |
| 10 | Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania Shippensburg Public | 15 | $80,574 |
ShowHide the other 9 Pennsylvania colleges offering Computer Engineering
| Institution | City | Control | Graduates / yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania State University - World Campus (Online) | University Park | Public | 121 |
| Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology | Lancaster | Public | 29 |
| Pennsylvania State University - Penn State Great Valley (Graduate only) | Malvern | Public | 17 |
| University of Pennsylvania | Philadelphia | Private not-for-profit | 11 |
| University of Scranton | Scranton | Private not-for-profit | 11 |
| York College of Pennsylvania | York | Private not-for-profit | 11 |
| University of Pittsburgh-Johnstown | Johnstown | Public | 3 |
| Pennsylvania State University - Penn State Abington | Abington | Public | 2 |
| Montgomery County Community College | Blue Bell | Public | 1 |
Career outlook
What this program leads to: Computer Hardware Engineers (SOC 17-2061).
Top skills
What Computer Hardware Engineers earn in Pennsylvania
Related careers
Common questions
Answers for students comparing Computer Engineering programs in Pennsylvania.
Which Pennsylvania colleges award the most Computer Engineering degrees?+
Carnegie Mellon University (285 graduates a year), Drexel University (171 graduates a year) and Pennsylvania State University (93 graduates a year) award the most Computer Engineering degrees in Pennsylvania, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 19 Pennsylvania colleges offer Computer Engineering.
What is the best college for Computer Engineering in Pennsylvania?+
By graduate earnings, Villanova University leads among bachelor's Computer Engineering programs in Pennsylvania, with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $94,228, College Scorecard. Bucknell University and Drexel University follow. By degrees awarded, Carnegie Mellon University is the largest, with 285 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25).
Which Computer Engineering program in Pennsylvania has the highest-earning graduates?+
By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, Villanova University tops the list at $94,228. Compare it against graduates a year, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.
What is the focus of the Computer Engineering program?+
The Computer Engineering program combines principles of computer science and engineering, focusing on the design and development of computer hardware and software systems. This program is ideal for students interested in the intersection…
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop critical thinking, reading comprehension, writing, speaking, and related professional skills.
What is the job outlook for Computer Hardware Engineers?+
The national job outlook is about +7.3% growth with around 4,700 annual openings (BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034).
What is the typical education requirement?+
A Bachelor's degree is the typical entry-level education for this field (BLS).
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
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