Best institutions to study Computer Hardware Engineering
A program that prepares individuals to apply mathematical and scientific principles to the design, development, and evaluation of computer hardware and related peripheral equipment.
7 U.S. institutions graduated 119 Computer Hardware Engineering students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 14.0902, a specialization of Computer Engineering (CIP 14.09), and leads most directly to the Computer Hardware Engineers occupation (BLS SOC 17-2061).
About Computer Hardware Engineering programs
A program that prepares individuals to apply mathematical and scientific principles to the design, development, and evaluation of computer hardware and related peripheral equipment. Includes instruction in computer circuit and chip design, circuitry, computer systems design, computer equipment design, computer layout planning, testing procedures, and related computer theory and software topics.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Computer Hardware Engineering program, a specialization within Computer Engineering, prepares students to apply mathematical and scientific principles to the design and development of computer hardware and related peripheral equipment. This program is ideal for individuals interested in the technical aspects of computer systems and those who enjoy problem-solving and innovation in technology.
Students will gain core skills in critical thinking, mathematics, and engineering principles. Coursework includes instruction in computer circuit and chip design, computer systems design, and testing procedures, providing a solid foundation in both theoretical and practical aspects of computer hardware development.
Credentials awarded
What Computer Hardware Engineering graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Bachelor's degree63 graduates / yr · 3 institutions53%
- Master's degree55 graduates / yr · 5 institutions46%
- Doctor's degree - research/scholarship1 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.8%
Graduates over time
Computer Hardware Engineering completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 142 |
| 2013 | 88 |
| 2014 | 79 |
| 2015 | 161 |
| 2016 | 114 |
| 2017 | 112 |
| 2018 | 64 |
| 2019 | 68 |
| 2020 | 49 |
| 2021 | 65 |
| 2022 | 44 |
| 2023 | 52 |
| 2024 | 80 |
| 2025 | 119 |
Top 7 institutions for Computer Hardware 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 | Santa Clara University Santa Clara, CAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 38 | 88% | $44,094 | $103,804 |
| 2 | Rochester Institute of Technology Rochester, NYPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 33 | 70% | $28,133 | $90,829 |
| 3 | Oakland University Rochester Hills, MIPublicMaster's | 16 | 58% | — | $78,709 |
| 4 | Illinois Institute of Technology Chicago, ILPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 10 | 75% | $19,899 | $81,252 |
| 5 | Utah Valley University Orem, UTPublicBachelor's | 10 | 45% | — | $85,564 |
| 6 | University of California - San Diego La Jolla, CAPublicMaster's | 9 | 86% | — | $96,256 |
| 7 | Kettering University Flint, MIPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 3 | 71% | $30,880 | $82,580 |
* 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 5 states
Where Computer Hardware Engineering graduates come from. Each state links to all Computer Engineering programs offered there.
| State | Institutions | Graduates / yr | Top institution by graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | 2 | 47 | Santa Clara University38 / yr |
| New York | 1 | 33 | Rochester Institute of Technology33 / yr |
| Michigan | 2 | 19 | Oakland University16 / yr |
| Illinois | 1 | 10 | Illinois Institute of Technology10 / yr |
| Utah | 1 | 10 | Utah Valley University10 / yr |
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 17-2061, Computer Hardware Engineers, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Computer Hardware Engineering program can pursue careers as Computer Hardware Engineers, with a job outlook that is faster than average, featuring an annual growth rate of 7.3%. With approximately 4,700 annual openings and a median wage of $155,020, a Bachelor's degree is typically required for entry into this field.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 14.0902
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 Hardware Engineersprimary SOC 17-2061 | $161,740 | +7.3% Faster than average | ~4,700 | 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 Hardware 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
- Update knowledge and skills to keep up with rapid advancements in computer technology.
- Design and develop computer hardware and support peripherals, including central processing units (CPUs), support logic, microprocessors, custom integrated circuits, and printers and disk drives.
- Confer with engineering staff and consult specifications to evaluate interface between hardware and software and operational and performance requirements of overall system.
- Build, test, and modify product prototypes, using working models or theoretical models constructed with computer simulation.
- Write detailed functional specifications that document the hardware development process and support hardware introduction.
- Test and verify hardware and support peripherals to ensure that they meet specifications and requirements, by recording and analyzing test data.
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, a Master's degree, or a Doctor's degree in Computer Hardware Engineering.
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop skills in critical thinking, mathematics, and active learning, along with knowledge of computers and electronics.
What careers can I pursue after graduation?+
You can work as a Computer Hardware Engineer, Architectural and Engineering Manager, or Engineering Teacher.
What is the job outlook for this field?+
The job outlook is faster than average, with an expected growth of 7.3% and around 4,700 annual job openings.
What is the CIP code for Computer Hardware Engineering?+
Computer Hardware Engineering is CIP 14.0902 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Computer Engineering (CIP 14.09). NCES defines it as: A program that prepares individuals to apply mathematical and scientific principles to the design, development, and evaluation of computer hardware and related peripheral equipment. Includes instruction in computer circuit and chip design, circuitry, computer systems design, computer equipment design, computer layout planning, testing procedures, and related computer theory and software topics.
How many institutions offer Computer Hardware Engineering programs?+
7 U.S. institutions reported Computer Hardware Engineering graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 5 states, awarding 119 credentials in the year. That is 0.6% of all Computer Engineering graduates.
How much do Computer Hardware Engineering graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Computer Hardware Engineers occupation, which Computer Hardware Engineering most directly leads to, pays a median of $161,740 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Computer Engineering field report median earnings of $85,564 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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