Best institutions to study Computer Engineering Technology/Technician
A program that prepares individuals to apply basic engineering principles and technical skills in support of computer engineers engaged in designing and developing computer systems and installations.
81 U.S. institutions graduated 951 Computer Engineering Technology/Technician students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 15.1201, a specialization of Computer Engineering Technologies/Technicians (CIP 15.12), and leads most directly to the Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians occupation (BLS SOC 17-3023).
About Computer Engineering Technology/Technician programs
A program that prepares individuals to apply basic engineering principles and technical skills in support of computer engineers engaged in designing and developing computer systems and installations. Includes instruction in computer electronics and programming, prototype development and testing, systems installation and testing, solid state and microminiature circuitry, peripheral equipment, and report preparation.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Computer Engineering Technology/Technician program prepares individuals to support computer engineers in designing and developing computer systems and installations. This program is ideal for those interested in applying engineering principles and technical skills to the field of computer engineering, focusing on both hardware and software aspects of technology.
Students in this program gain knowledge in computer electronics, programming, prototype development, and systems installation. Coursework emphasizes skills such as reading blueprints, troubleshooting electronics, and using specialized test equipment, equipping graduates with a solid foundation in engineering technologies.
Credentials awarded
What Computer Engineering Technology/Technician graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Associate's degree397 graduates / yr · 47 institutions42%
- Bachelor's degree322 graduates / yr · 33 institutions34%
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year227 graduates / yr · 18 institutions24%
- Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years5 graduates / yr · 3 institutions0.5%
Graduates over time
Computer Engineering Technology/Technician completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 1,701 |
| 2013 | 1,731 |
| 2014 | 1,619 |
| 2015 | 1,507 |
| 2016 | 1,483 |
| 2017 | 1,498 |
| 2018 | 1,668 |
| 2019 | 1,434 |
| 2020 | 1,469 |
| 2021 | 1,349 |
| 2022 | 1,221 |
| 2023 | 1,168 |
| 2024 | 1,209 |
| 2025 | 951 |
Top 50 institutions for Computer Engineering Technology/Technician, ranked by graduates
Graduates (IPEDS completions), 2024–25. Award levels show which credentials each institution confers in this specialization.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Field earnings* (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | CUNY New York City College of Technology Brooklyn, NYPublicBachelor'sAssociate's | 112 | 21% | — | $39,744 |
| 2 | Moraine Valley Community College Palos Hills, ILPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 74 | 40% | — | — |
| 3 | Ranken Technical College Saint Louis, MOPrivate not-for-profitAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 72 | 53% | $17,520 | $42,475 |
| 4 | Stark State College North Canton, OHPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 72 | 23% | — | — |
| 5 | University of Houston Houston, TXPublicBachelor's | 45 | 65% | — | $56,527 |
| 6 | Cuyahoga Community College District Cleveland, OHPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 38 | 31% | — | — |
| 7 | University of Toledo Toledo, OHPublicBachelor's | 37 | 57% | — | — |
| 8 | Chattahoochee Technical College Marietta, GAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 32 | 38% | — | — |
| 9 | Springfield Technical Community College Springfield, MAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 29 | 32% | — | — |
| 10 | South Texas College McAllen, TXPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 23 | 27% | — | — |
| 11 | CUNY Queensborough Community College Bayside, NYPublicAssociate's | 18 | 24% | — | — |
| 12 | Bluegrass Community and Technical College Lexington, KYPublicAssociate's | 16 | 43% | — | — |
| 13 | Owens Community College Perrysburg, OHPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 15 | 35% | — | — |
| 14 | Sam Houston State University Huntsville, TXPublicBachelor's | 15 | 55% | — | $38,957 |
| 15 | Savannah State University Savannah, GAPublicBachelor's | 14 | 28% | — | — |
| 16 | Cincinnati State Technical and Community College Cincinnati, OHPublicAssociate's | 14 | 16% | — | $56,504 |
| 17 | University of Houston - Downtown Houston, TXPublicBachelor's | 14 | 33% | — | $68,144 |
| 18 | Pennsylvania College of Technology Williamsport, PAPublicBachelor'sAssociate's | 14 | 53% | — | — |
| 19 | Universidad Ana G. Mendez - Gurabo Campus Gurabo, PRPrivate not-for-profitAssociate's | 13 | 31% | $9,370 | — |
| 20 | Purdue University Fort Wayne Fort Wayne, INPublicBachelor's | 12 | 36% | — | — |
| 21 | DeVry University - Illinois Lisle, ILPrivate for-profitBachelor's | 12 | 37% | $32,381 | $48,829 |
| 22 | Central Connecticut State University New Britain, CTPublicBachelor's | 11 | 48% | — | $60,339 |
| 23 | Sandhills Community College Pinehurst, NCPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 11 | 53% | — | — |
| 24 | Kent State University at Kent Kent, OHPublicBachelor's | 11 | 64% | — | — |
| 25 | Farmingdale State College Farmingdale, NYPublicBachelor's | 10 | 53% | — | $58,419 |
| 26 | Lorain County Community College Elyria, OHPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 10 | 31% | — | $23,598 |
| 27 | Nash Community College Rocky Mount, NCPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 9 | 41% | — | — |
| 28 | SUNY College of Technology at Alfred Alfred, NYPublicBachelor'sAssociate's | 8 | 55% | — | — |
| 29 | Southwest Tennessee Community College Memphis, TNPublicAssociate's | 8 | 19% | — | — |
| 30 | Genesee Community College Batavia, NYPublicAssociate's | 7 | 31% | — | — |
| 31 | SUNY Polytechnic Institute Utica, NYPublicBachelor's | 7 | 55% | — | $34,637 |
| 32 | Western Piedmont Community College Morganton, NCPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 7 | 49% | — | — |
| 33 | Norfolk State University Norfolk, VAPublicBachelor's | 7 | 38% | — | — |
| 34 | Miami Dade College Miami, FLPublicAssociate's | 6 | 46% | — | — |
| 35 | Rend Lake College Ina, ILPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 6 | 63% | — | — |
| 36 | Central Piedmont Community College Charlotte, NCPublicAssociate's | 6 | 31% | — | — |
| 37 | Forsyth Technical Community College Winston-Salem, NCPublicAssociate's | 6 | 34% | — | — |
| 38 | Isothermal Community College Spindale, NCPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 6 | 55% | — | — |
| 39 | Northwest State Community College Archbold, OHPublicAssociate's | 6 | 46% | — | — |
| 40 | Daytona State College Daytona Beach, FLPublicAssociate's | 5 | 43% | — | — |
| 41 | Hillsborough College Tampa, FLPublicAssociate's | 5 | 34% | — | — |
| 42 | Indiana State University Terre Haute, INPublicBachelor's | 5 | 43% | — | $48,639 |
| 43 | Quinsigamond Community College Worcester, MAPublicAssociate's | 5 | 22% | — | — |
| 44 | Hudson County Community College Jersey City, NJPublicAssociate's | 5 | 26% | — | — |
| 45 | SUNY Broome Community College Binghamton, NYPublicAssociate's | 5 | 23% | — | — |
| 46 | Monroe Community College Rochester, NYPublicAssociate's | 5 | 27% | — | — |
| 47 | Shawnee State University Portsmouth, OHPublicAssociate'sBachelor's | 5 | 48% | — | — |
| 48 | California State University - Long Beach Long Beach, CAPublicBachelor's | 4 | 69% | — | — |
| 49 | University of Bridgeport Bridgeport, CTPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 4 | 41% | $25,149 | — |
| 50 | West Kentucky Community and Technical College Paducah, KYPublicAssociate's | 4 | 50% | — | — |
* Median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader Computer Engineering Technologies/Technicians field (CIP 15.12) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.
Offered in 31 states & territories
Where Computer Engineering Technology/Technician graduates come from. Each state links to all Computer Engineering Technologies/Technicians programs offered there.
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 17-3023, Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Computer Engineering Technology/Technician program can pursue careers as Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians, among other roles. The job outlook indicates little or no change in the field, with approximately 8,400 annual openings and a median wage of $77,180, typically requiring an Associate's degree.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 15.1201
The occupations the NCES crosswalk maps this 6-digit code to, with BLS pay and 10-year outlook.
| Occupation | US median pay | Growth | Openings / yr | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Techniciansprimary SOC 17-3023 | $78,190 | +0.6% Little or no change | ~8,400 | Associate's degree |
Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers SOC 15-1253 | $104,300 | +10.0% Much faster than average | ~14,000 | Bachelor's degree |
Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other SOC 17-3029 | $78,350 | +1.5% Little or no change | ~5,700 | Associate's degree |
Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed
- Education
- Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
- Experience
- Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
Related careers
Skills & knowledge in Computer Engineering Technology/Technician programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this specialization most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
Abilities that matter most
Day-to-day work activities
What graduates do on the job
- Modify, maintain, or repair electronics equipment or systems to ensure proper functioning.
- Replace defective components or parts, using hand tools and precision instruments.
- Set up and operate specialized or standard test equipment to diagnose, test, or analyze the performance of electronic components, assemblies, or systems.
- Read blueprints, wiring diagrams, schematic drawings, or engineering instructions for assembling electronics units, applying knowledge of electronic theory and components.
- Identify and resolve equipment malfunctions, working with manufacturers or field representatives as necessary to procure replacement parts.
- Assemble electrical systems or prototypes, using hand tools or measuring instruments.
Tools and technology used
Other Computer Engineering Technologies/Technicians specializations
The 4 other 6-digit CIP codes under Computer Engineering Technologies/Technicians (CIP 15.12).
- Computer/CIP 15.1202
Computer Systems Technology/ Technician 1,213 graduates / yr67 institutions - Computer Engineering Technologies/CIP 15.1299
Technicians partial data719 graduates / yr9 institutions - Computer Software Technology/CIP 15.1204
Technician 480 graduates / yr27 institutions - Computer Hardware Technology/CIP 15.1203
Technician partial data25 graduates / yr5 institutions
See all Computer Engineering Technologies/Technicians programs →
Common questions
What degrees can I earn in this program?+
You can earn an Associate's degree, a Bachelor's degree, or shorter awards ranging from 12 weeks to 2 academic years.
What skills will I develop?+
You will develop skills in reading comprehension, critical thinking, mathematics, and active listening, among others.
What types of jobs can I get after graduation?+
You can work as an Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologist, Software Quality Assurance Analyst, or other engineering technician roles.
What is the job outlook for this field?+
The job outlook shows little or no change, with about 8,400 annual openings and a median wage of $77,180.
What is the CIP code for Computer Engineering Technology/Technician?+
Computer Engineering Technology/Technician is CIP 15.1201 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Computer Engineering Technologies/Technicians (CIP 15.12). NCES defines it as: A program that prepares individuals to apply basic engineering principles and technical skills in support of computer engineers engaged in designing and developing computer systems and installations. Includes instruction in computer electronics and programming, prototype development and testing, systems installation and testing, solid state and microminiature circuitry, peripheral equipment, and report preparation.
How many institutions offer Computer Engineering Technology/Technician programs?+
81 U.S. institutions reported Computer Engineering Technology/Technician graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 31 states & territories, awarding 951 credentials in the year. That is 28.1% of all Computer Engineering Technologies/Technicians graduates.
How much do Computer Engineering Technology/Technician graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians occupation, which Computer Engineering Technology/Technician most directly leads to, pays a median of $78,190 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Computer Engineering Technologies/Technicians field report median earnings of $48,829 one year after graduation (College Scorecard).
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.
Program definitions are from the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020). Skills, knowledge, abilities, work activities, tools, and job zones are from the O*NET database by the U.S. Department of Labor, used under the CC BY 4.0 license.
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