Best institutions to study Computer Software Engineering
A program that prepares individuals to apply scientific and mathematical principles to the design, analysis, verification, validation, implementation, and maintenance of computer software systems using a variety of computer languages.
142 U.S. institutions graduated 6,640 Computer Software Engineering students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 14.0903, a specialization of Computer Engineering (CIP 14.09), and leads most directly to the Software Developers occupation (BLS SOC 15-1252).
About Computer Software Engineering programs
A program that prepares individuals to apply scientific and mathematical principles to the design, analysis, verification, validation, implementation, and maintenance of computer software systems using a variety of computer languages. Includes instruction in discrete mathematics, probability and statistics, computer science, managerial science, and applications to complex computer systems.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Computer Software Engineering program, a subset of Computer Engineering, prepares students to apply scientific and mathematical principles to the design and maintenance of computer software systems. This program is ideal for individuals interested in developing their skills in software design, analysis, and implementation using various programming languages.
Students will gain knowledge in discrete mathematics, probability and statistics, and computer science, along with essential skills such as critical thinking, active learning, and effective communication. Coursework also emphasizes the practical application of engineering principles to complex computer systems.
Credentials awarded
What Computer Software Engineering graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Bachelor's degree3,319 graduates / yr · 95 institutions50%
- Master's degree2,817 graduates / yr · 60 institutions42%
- Associate's degree235 graduates / yr · 9 institutions3.5%
- Postbaccalaureate certificate93 graduates / yr · 11 institutions1.4%
- Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years90 graduates / yr · 4 institutions1.4%
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year51 graduates / yr · 3 institutions0.8%
- Doctor's degree - research/scholarship35 graduates / yr · 5 institutions0.5%
Graduates over time
Computer Software Engineering completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 1,835 |
| 2013 | 1,981 |
| 2014 | 2,125 |
| 2015 | 2,636 |
| 2016 | 3,098 |
| 2017 | 3,192 |
| 2018 | 3,267 |
| 2019 | 3,421 |
| 2020 | 3,847 |
| 2021 | 4,238 |
| 2022 | 4,109 |
| 2023 | 5,068 |
| 2024 | 5,969 |
| 2025 | 6,640 |
Top 50 institutions for Computer Software 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 | Northeastern University Boston, MAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 1,246 | 91% | $18,925 | $99,499 |
| 2 | Western Governors University Salt Lake City, UTPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster's | 888 | 46% | $11,580 | — |
| 3 | San Jose State University San Jose, CAPublicMaster'sBachelor's | 321 | 69% | — | — |
| 4 | Carnegie Mellon University Pittsburgh, PAPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sDoctoral | 237 | 94% | $23,803 | — |
| 5 | Full Sail University Winter Park, FLPrivate for-profitAssociate'sBachelor'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearMaster's | 210 | 44% | $32,163 | $61,553 |
| 6 | The University of Texas at Dallas Richardson, TXPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 186 | 76% | — | $77,609 |
| 7 | Kennesaw State University Kennesaw, GAPublicBachelor'sMaster'sPost-degree cert. | 185 | 52% | — | $77,455 |
| 8 | DeVry University - Illinois Lisle, ILPrivate for-profitBachelor'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 171 | 37% | $32,381 | — |
| 9 | Arizona State University Digital Immersion Scottsdale, AZPublicBachelor's | 151 | 0% | — | $81,123 |
| 10 | University of California - Irvine Irvine, CAPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 150 | 87% | — | $79,812 |
| 11 | Rochester Institute of Technology Rochester, NYPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster's | 146 | 70% | $28,133 | $90,829 |
| 12 | Arizona State University Campus Immersion Tempe, AZPublicMaster'sBachelor's | 137 | 68% | — | $81,123 |
| 13 | Iowa State University Ames, IAPublicBachelor's | 131 | 75% | — | $79,182 |
| 14 | Concordia University - Wisconsin Mequon, WIPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sBachelor's | 104 | 68% | $24,409 | — |
| 15 | Stevens Institute of Technology Hoboken, NJPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sBachelor'sPost-degree cert. | 103 | 87% | $34,827 | $89,001 |
| 16 | The University of Texas at Arlington Arlington, TXPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 102 | 54% | — | $81,226 |
| 17 | Drexel University Philadelphia, PAPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sBachelor'sPost-degree cert. | 99 | 78% | $36,004 | $89,418 |
| 18 | The University of Arizona Global Campus Chandler, AZPublicBachelor's | 76 | 11% | $26,445 | — |
| 19 | California State University - Fullerton Fullerton, CAPublicMaster's | 69 | 70% | — | $55,093 |
| 20 | Florida Gulf Coast University Fort Myers, FLPublicBachelor's | 68 | 57% | — | $60,746 |
| 21 | Bowling Green State University - Main Campus Bowling Green, OHPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 67 | 64% | — | $67,949 |
| 22 | Pennsylvania State University - World Campus University Park, PAPublicBachelor'sPost-degree cert. | 62 | 34% | — | $85,446 |
| 23 | Oakland Community College Auburn Hills, MIPublicAssociate's | 60 | 21% | — | — |
| 24 | George Mason University Fairfax, VAPublicMaster'sPost-degree cert. | 59 | 68% | — | $87,466 |
| 25 | Auburn University Auburn, ALPublicBachelor's | 53 | 82% | — | $80,067 |
| 26 | University of Puerto Rico - Mayaguez Mayaguez, PRPublicBachelor's | 53 | 49% | — | $83,545 |
| 27 | University of Arizona Tucson, AZPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 51 | 68% | — | — |
| 28 | Utah Valley University Orem, UTPublicBachelor's | 48 | 45% | — | $85,564 |
| 29 | Brigham Young University Provo, UTPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 41 | 81% | $13,712 | $88,785 |
| 30 | Harvard University Cambridge, MAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 35 | 98% | $15,013 | — |
| 31 | Milwaukee School of Engineering Milwaukee, WIPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 35 | 67% | $20,167 | $78,333 |
| 32 | Rasmussen University - Minnesota St. Cloud, MNPrivate for-profitAssociate's | 33 | 53% | $19,944 | $48,263 |
| 33 | Grand Canyon University Phoenix, AZPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sBachelor's | 32 | 43% | $21,535 | — |
| 34 | Michigan Technological University Houghton, MIPublicBachelor's | 32 | 68% | — | $77,465 |
| 35 | University of Nebraska - Lincoln Lincoln, NEPublicBachelor's | 31 | 67% | — | $82,398 |
| 36 | University of Houston - Clear Lake Houston, TXPublicMaster's | 31 | 52% | — | $63,751 |
| 37 | Cleveland State University Cleveland, OHPublicMaster's | 30 | 51% | — | $68,852 |
| 38 | Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology Lancaster, PAPublicAssociate's | 29 | 71% | — | $48,257 |
| 39 | University of Utah Salt Lake City, UTPublicMaster's | 29 | 65% | — | $89,605 |
| 40 | Illinois Institute of Technology Chicago, ILPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 27 | 75% | $19,899 | $81,252 |
| 41 | Miami University - Oxford Oxford, OHPublicBachelor's | 27 | 80% | — | $71,836 |
| 42 | Snow College Ephraim, UTPublicBachelor'sAssociate's | 27 | 46% | — | — |
| 43 | University of California - Merced Merced, CAPublicDoctoralMaster's | 26 | 69% | — | $58,835 |
| 44 | Loyola University Chicago Chicago, ILPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster's | 25 | 73% | $33,454 | $68,020 |
| 45 | East Carolina University Greenville, NCPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 25 | 63% | — | — |
| 46 | University of Wisconsin - Platteville Platteville, WIPublicBachelor's | 25 | 56% | — | $71,635 |
| 47 | Washington State University Pullman, WAPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 24 | 60% | — | $87,135 |
| 48 | California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo San Luis Obispo, CAPublicBachelor's | 23 | 86% | — | $111,560 |
| 49 | Florida Institute of Technology Melbourne, FLPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster's | 22 | 64% | $33,585 | $79,244 |
| 50 | Keiser University - Ft Lauderdale Fort Lauderdale, FLPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 22 | 61% | $35,483 | $45,453 |
* 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 38 states & territories
Where Computer Software Engineering graduates come from. Each state links to all Computer Engineering programs offered there.
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 15-1252, Software Developers, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Computer Software Engineering program can pursue careers as Software Developers, with an expected job growth rate of 15.8% and approximately 115,200 annual openings. The median wage for this occupation is $133,080, typically requiring a Bachelor's degree for entry-level positions.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 14.0903
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Software Developersprimary SOC 15-1252 | $135,980 | +15.8% Much faster than average | ~115,200 | Bachelor's degree |
Architectural and Engineering Managers SOC 11-9041 | $171,270 | +3.8% About as fast as average | ~14,500 | Bachelor's degree |
Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers SOC 15-1253 | $104,300 | +10.0% Much faster than average | ~14,000 | Bachelor's degree |
Engineering Teachers, Postsecondary SOC 25-1032 | $109,270 | +8.1% Much faster than average | ~4,100 | Doctoral or professional degree |
Database Architects SOC 15-1243 | $139,500 | +8.7% Much faster than average | ~4,000 | Bachelor's 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 Software 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
- Analyze user needs and software requirements to determine feasibility of design within time and cost constraints.
- Develop or direct software system testing or validation procedures, programming, or documentation.
- Confer with systems analysts, engineers, programmers and others to design systems and to obtain information on project limitations and capabilities, performance requirements and interfaces.
- Modify existing software to correct errors, adapt it to new hardware, or upgrade interfaces and improve performance.
- Prepare reports or correspondence concerning project specifications, activities, or status.
- Analyze information to determine, recommend, and plan installation of a new system or modification of an existing system.
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, Associate's degree, or a Postbaccalaureate certificate.
What skills will I develop?+
You will develop skills in critical thinking, mathematics, active learning, and effective communication.
What careers can I pursue after graduation?+
You can work as a Software Developer, Software Quality Assurance Analyst, Database Architect, and more.
What is the job outlook for this field?+
The job outlook is much faster than average, with a growth rate of 15.8%.
What is the CIP code for Computer Software Engineering?+
Computer Software Engineering is CIP 14.0903 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 scientific and mathematical principles to the design, analysis, verification, validation, implementation, and maintenance of computer software systems using a variety of computer languages. Includes instruction in discrete mathematics, probability and statistics, computer science, managerial science, and applications to complex computer systems.
How many institutions offer Computer Software Engineering programs?+
142 U.S. institutions reported Computer Software Engineering graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 38 states & territories, awarding 6,640 credentials in the year. That is 31.4% of all Computer Engineering graduates.
How much do Computer Software Engineering graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Software Developers occupation, which Computer Software Engineering most directly leads to, pays a median of $135,980 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Computer Engineering field report median earnings of $79,276 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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