Washington · Computer Engineering

Best colleges for Computer Engineering in Washington

Ranked by graduate earnings

Washington State University, University of Washington-Seattle Campus and University of Washington-Bothell Campus award the most Computer Engineering degrees in Washington: 37, 28 and 13 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 9 Washington colleges offer Computer Engineering and award 114 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…

Institutions
9
offering CIP 14.09
States & territories
52
with a program page
Degrees / yr
114
IPEDS completions 2024–25
Median starting salary
$101,832
1 yr after graduation, College Scorecard
With earnings data
4
College Scorecard
Median net price
$30,006
IPEDS 2024–25
Avg graduation rate
69%
IPEDS 2024–25
State pay · Computer Hardware Engineers
$178,320
BLS OEWS May 2025

Top 3 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.

Starting salary (1 yr): median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard.
#InstitutionStarting salary (1 yr)Graduates / yrGrad rateNet priceMedian debt
1University of Washington-Seattle Campus
Seattle Public · Bachelor's degree
$141,5882885%—$16,127
2Washington State University
Pullman Public · Bachelor's degree
$87,1353760%—$21,750
3DigiPen Institute of Technology
Redmond Private for-profit · Bachelor's degree Small program
$101,832561%$39,863—

Colleges awarding the most Computer Engineering degrees in Washington

Top 9 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.

Graduates / yr: degrees and certificates awarded in a year, IPEDS completions. Starting salary (1 yr): median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard. * Campuses that share a federal aid ID report one College Scorecard figure.
#InstitutionGraduates / yrStarting salary (1 yr)
1Washington State University
Pullman Public
37$87,135
2University of Washington-Seattle Campus
Seattle Public
28$141,588*
3University of Washington-Bothell Campus
Bothell Public
13$141,588*
4Gonzaga University
Spokane Private not-for-profit
11Not reported
5University of Washington-Tacoma Campus
Tacoma Public
10Not reported
6DigiPen Institute of Technology
Redmond Private for-profit
5$101,832
7Seattle Pacific University
Seattle Private not-for-profit
4Not reported
8Seattle University
Seattle Private not-for-profit
3Not reported
9Walla Walla University
College Place Private not-for-profit
3Not reported

Career outlook

What this program leads to: Computer Hardware Engineers (SOC 17-2061).

Projected growth (2024–2034)
+7.3%
Faster than average
Openings / yr (US)
~4,700
BLS Employment Projections
US median wage
$155,020
typically Bachelor's degree

Top skills

Critical ThinkingReading ComprehensionWritingSpeakingActive ListeningActive Learning

What Computer Hardware Engineers earn in Washington

Jobs in Washington
1,800
BLS OEWS May 2025
State average pay
$178,320
median $169,120
Best-paying metro
$180,820
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA

Related careers

Software Developers
$171,040 avg · 107,030 jobs
Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers
$131,090 avg · 7,970 jobs
Computer Network Architects
$164,930 avg · 4,730 jobs
Database Architects
$135,800 avg · 2,990 jobs
Computer Hardware Engineers
$178,320 avg · 1,800 jobs

Common questions

Answers for students comparing Computer Engineering programs in Washington.

Which Washington colleges award the most Computer Engineering degrees?+

Washington State University (37 graduates a year), University of Washington-Seattle Campus (28 graduates a year) and University of Washington-Bothell Campus (13 graduates a year) award the most Computer Engineering degrees in Washington, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 9 Washington colleges offer Computer Engineering.

Which Computer Engineering program in Washington has the highest-earning graduates?+

By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, University of Washington-Seattle Campus tops the list at $141,588. Compare it against graduates a year, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.

How much do Computer Hardware Engineers earn in Washington?+

The average annual wage for Computer Hardware Engineers in Washington is $178,320 (median $169,120), across about 1,800 jobs. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025.

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.

IPEDSFall 2025–26 release, published July 28, 2026
Enrollment, completions, graduation rates, tuition, financial aid, staffing, and finance for every U.S. institution in federal student aid programs.
College ScorecardJune 10, 2026 release (merged 2025–26 files)
Institution and field-of-study costs, graduate earnings, debt, completion, and admissions outcomes compiled from federal aid records, tax data, and IPEDS.
PSEO graduate earnings2019–21 graduation cohorts (release V4.13.0)
Earnings and employment outcomes of graduates by institution, degree level, and field of study, measured from state wage records.
BLS wages & outlookOEWS May 2025 release
Occupational employment and wage estimates plus 10-year job outlook, used to connect programs to real-world earnings.
FVT/GE program performanceProvisional preview, May 18, 2026 release
Program-level debt-to-earnings and earnings-premium measures behind the FVT/GE and STATS accountability frameworks.

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