Best institutions to study Computer Engineering
Any instructional program in computer engineering not listed above.
21 U.S. institutions graduated 566 Computer Engineering students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 14.0999, a specialization of Computer Engineering (CIP 14.09), and leads most directly to the Computer Network Architects occupation (BLS SOC 15-1241).
About Computer Engineering programs
Any instructional program in computer engineering not listed above.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Computer Engineering program focuses on the design, development, and implementation of computer systems and networks. This program is ideal for students interested in the intersection of hardware and software, preparing them for innovative roles in technology. With a curriculum that encompasses various aspects of engineering, students will gain a comprehensive understanding of computer systems.
Students in this program will develop critical skills in areas such as critical thinking, reading comprehension, and active learning. They will gain knowledge in computers and electronics, telecommunications, and engineering technology, equipping them to tackle complex engineering challenges.
Credentials awarded
What Computer Engineering graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Master's degree404 graduates / yr · 8 institutions71%
- Bachelor's degree146 graduates / yr · 9 institutions26%
- Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years5 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.9%
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year5 graduates / yr · 2 institutions0.9%
- Doctor's degree - research/scholarship4 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.7%
- Postbaccalaureate certificate2 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.4%
Graduates over time
Computer Engineering completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 59 |
| 2013 | 67 |
| 2014 | 83 |
| 2015 | 113 |
| 2016 | 153 |
| 2017 | 221 |
| 2018 | 150 |
| 2019 | 128 |
| 2020 | 116 |
| 2021 | 147 |
| 2022 | 178 |
| 2023 | 339 |
| 2024 | 404 |
| 2025 | 566 |
Top 21 institutions for Computer Engineering, 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 | University of New Haven West Haven, CTPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 285 | 63% | $32,614 | — |
| 2 | Carnegie Mellon University Pittsburgh, PAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 48 | 94% | $23,803 | — |
| 3 | Universidad Politecnica de Puerto Rico Hato Rey, PRPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 48 | 28% | $18,544 | $38,213 |
| 4 | University of California - Santa Cruz Santa Cruz, CAPublicBachelor's | 45 | 75% | — | $79,969 |
| 5 | Illinois Institute of Technology Chicago, ILPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sBachelor's | 35 | 75% | $19,899 | $81,252 |
| 6 | University of Alabama in Huntsville Huntsville, ALPublicBachelor's | 29 | 64% | — | $83,909 |
| 7 | University of California - Irvine Irvine, CAPublicMaster's | 24 | 87% | — | $79,812 |
| 8 | Lawrence Technological University Southfield, MIPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 7 | 61% | $32,679 | — |
| 9 | Augusta University Augusta, GAPublicBachelor's | 6 | 49% | — | — |
| 10 | University of Maryland - College Park College Park, MDPublicBachelor's | 5 | 89% | — | $95,847 |
| 11 | Northeastern University Boston, MAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 5 | 91% | $18,925 | $99,499 |
| 12 | University of Massachusetts - Dartmouth North Dartmouth, MAPublicBachelor's | 5 | 52% | — | $79,383 |
| 13 | Oakland Community College Auburn Hills, MIPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 5 | 21% | — | — |
| 14 | University of New Orleans New Orleans, LAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 4 | 38% | — | — |
| 15 | University of Michigan - Dearborn Dearborn, MIPublicDoctoral | 4 | 58% | — | $79,022 |
| 16 | Southern Methodist University Dallas, TXPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 3 | 84% | $33,246 | — |
| 17 | University of California - Los Angeles Los Angeles, CAPublicMaster's | 2 | 93% | — | — |
| 18 | Colorado State University - Fort Collins Fort Collins, COPublicPost-degree cert. | 2 | 67% | — | — |
| 19 | University of Connecticut Storrs, CTPublicBachelor's | 2 | 83% | — | $82,924 |
| 20 | Prince George's Community College Largo, MDPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 1 | 18% | — | — |
| 21 | Gannon University Erie, PAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 1 | 66% | $21,409 | — |
* Median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader Computer Engineering field (CIP 14.09) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.
Offered in 13 states & territories
Where Computer Engineering graduates come from. Each state links to all Computer Engineering programs offered there.
| State | Institutions | Graduates / yr | Top institution by graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| Connecticut | 2 | 287 | University of New Haven285 / yr |
| California | 3 | 71 | University of California - Santa Cruz45 / yr |
| Pennsylvania | 2 | 49 | Carnegie Mellon University48 / yr |
| Puerto Rico | 1 | 48 | Universidad Politecnica de Puerto Rico48 / yr |
| Illinois | 1 | 35 | Illinois Institute of Technology35 / yr |
| Alabama | 1 | 29 | University of Alabama in Huntsville29 / yr |
| Michigan | 3 | 16 | Lawrence Technological University7 / yr |
| Massachusetts | 2 | 10 | Northeastern University5 / yr |
| Maryland | 2 | 6 | University of Maryland - College Park5 / yr |
| Georgia | 1 | 6 | Augusta University6 / yr |
| Louisiana | 1 | 4 | University of New Orleans4 / yr |
| Texas | 1 | 3 | Southern Methodist University3 / yr |
| Colorado | 1 | 2 | Colorado State University - Fort Collins2 / yr |
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 15-1241, Computer Network Architects, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Computer Engineering program can pursue careers as Computer Network Architects, with an expected job growth rate of 11.9%. The field offers approximately 11,200 annual job openings and a median wage of $130,390, typically requiring a Bachelor's degree for entry-level positions.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 14.0999
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Computer Network Architectsprimary SOC 15-1241 | $134,050 | +11.9% Much faster than average | ~11,200 | Bachelor's degree |
Architectural and Engineering Managers SOC 11-9041 | $171,270 | +3.8% About as fast as average | ~14,500 | Bachelor's degree |
Engineering Teachers, Postsecondary SOC 25-1032 | $109,270 | +8.1% Much faster than average | ~4,100 | Doctoral or professional degree |
Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
- Education
- Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
- Experience
- A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.
Related careers
Skills & knowledge in Computer Engineering 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
- Develop disaster recovery plans.
- Develop or recommend network security measures, such as firewalls, network security audits, or automated security probes.
- Develop and implement solutions for network problems.
- Maintain networks by performing activities such as file addition, deletion, or backup.
- Coordinate network operations, maintenance, repairs, or upgrades.
- Coordinate installation of new equipment.
Tools and technology used
Other Computer Engineering specializations
The 3 other 6-digit CIP codes under Computer Engineering (CIP 14.09).
Common questions
What degrees can I earn in this program?+
You can earn a Bachelor's degree, Master's degree, or shorter awards in this program.
What skills will I develop?+
You will develop skills in critical thinking, active listening, and problem-solving.
What careers can I pursue?+
You can become a Computer Network Architect or work in related engineering management roles.
What is the job outlook for this field?+
The job outlook is much faster than average, with a growth rate of 11.9%.
What is the CIP code for Computer Engineering?+
Computer Engineering is CIP 14.0999 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Computer Engineering (CIP 14.09). NCES defines it as: Any instructional program in computer engineering not listed above.
How many institutions offer Computer Engineering programs?+
21 U.S. institutions reported Computer Engineering graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 13 states & territories, awarding 566 credentials in the year. That is 2.7% of all Computer Engineering graduates.
How much do Computer Engineering graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Computer Network Architects occupation, which Computer Engineering most directly leads to, pays a median of $134,050 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Computer Engineering field report median earnings of $81,252 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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