- 1.Computer Hardware Engineers earn a median salary of $128,170 with 5% projected job growth through 2032 (BLS OES 2024)
- 2.Top-ranked Computer Engineering programs include University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Purdue University-Main Campus, University of Washington-Seattle Campus based on graduation rates, program strength, and career outcomes
- 3.Best value: University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign offers computer engineering education at $14,768/year with 90% graduation rate
- 4.50 accredited Computer Engineering programs analyzed using IPEDS 2023 completion data
Best Computer Engineering Programs - Top 10 Bachelor's
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Illinois ECE operates one of the country's largest and most sophisticated university facilities for nanotechnology research through the Holonyak Lab, while offering a unique fully-online professional Master of Engineering that maintains the same academic rigor as the on-campus program.
Program Overview
The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign's Computer Engineering program operates within the Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering, offering three distinct graduate pathways: a research-focused MS degree (32 credit hours with thesis), a professional Master of Engineering (M.Eng.) available both on-campus and fully online (32 credit hours, coursework-only), and a comprehensive PhD program. The M.Eng. is particularly innovative as a self-supported professional degree designed for working engineers, with the online version allowing completion at your own pace over five years. Students can specialize across seven focus areas including Machine Learning & AI, Robotics & Cyber-Physical Systems, and Computer Architecture. The program leverages Illinois's world-class research infrastructure including the Coordinated Science Laboratory, Holonyak Micro & Nanotechnology Laboratory, and the Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology, where faculty hold cross-appointments enabling interdisciplinary research opportunities.
Degree Programs
Research Labs & Institutes
Premier multidisciplinary research laboratory focusing on information technology at the crossroads of circuits, computing, control, and communications
One of the country's largest and most sophisticated university facilities for photonics, microelectronics, biotechnology, and nanotechnology research
Advanced science and technology research with cross-departmental faculty appointments
Industry Partners
Admissions
Purdue University-Main Campus
Purdue ECE launched the nation's first comprehensive semiconductor degrees program to address the critical need for 50,000 trained semiconductor engineers within five years, positioning graduates at the forefront of America's semiconductor industry resurgence in the emerging Silicon Heartland.
Program Overview
Purdue University's Elmore Family School of Electrical and Computer Engineering offers a comprehensive Computer Engineering program through both undergraduate and graduate pathways. The undergraduate Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering is ranked #10 nationally by U.S. News & World Report, with graduates earning an average starting salary of $91,948 within six months. Students can pursue their studies at both West Lafayette and Indianapolis campuses, with first-year engineering students in West Lafayette building foundational skills before transitioning to their specialty major in the second year.
At the graduate level, Purdue offers multiple Master of Science in Electrical and Computer Engineering (MSECE) tracks, including a fully online program ranked #1 by U.S. News & World Report for 2025. The program serves working professionals through flexible, asynchronous coursework while maintaining the same rigorous curriculum and world-class faculty as on-campus programs. Students can specialize in areas including Computer Engineering, Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning, Communications and Signal Processing, Microelectronics and Nanotechnology, and emerging fields like quantum computing and IoT. The school houses over 3,800 undergraduate and graduate students with 135 faculty members, supported by extensive research facilities including the Birck Nanotechnology Center.
Degree Programs
Research Labs & Institutes
Advanced nanotechnology research and fabrication
Advanced engineering research
Aerospace and propulsion research
Industry Partners
Admissions
University of Washington-Seattle Campus
UW's Computer Engineering program uniquely combines the resources of two top-20 ranked departments, offering students access to cutting-edge research facilities like the Washington Nanofabrication Facility while being embedded in Seattle's tech capital with direct pipelines to Amazon, Microsoft, and Boeing.
Program Overview
The University of Washington-Seattle Campus Computer Engineering program operates through two prestigious departments: the Paul G. Allen School of Computer Science & Engineering and the Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering. The program offers undergraduate Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering degrees through the College of Engineering, featuring extensive research opportunities across artificial intelligence, robotics, systems design, and quantum technologies. Located in Seattle's thriving tech ecosystem, students benefit from proximity to Amazon, Microsoft, Boeing, and a vibrant startup community. The program emphasizes both theoretical foundations and hands-on experience through state-of-the-art facilities including the Paul G. Allen Center and access to specialized labs like the Washington Nanofabrication Facility and various research centers focusing on everything from biosystems to quantum systems.
Degree Programs
Research Labs & Institutes
Semiconductor and integrated circuit research
Advanced materials and device fabrication
Human-computer collaboration and educational gaming
Neural engineering and brain-computer interfaces
Industry Partners
Admissions
University of California-San Diego
UCSD CSE stands out as one of the few programs offering both Computer Science and Computer Engineering master's degrees with three distinct plan options, including a unique Comprehensive Interdisciplinary Plan that formally integrates coursework from other departments, housed within a school that has launched 14 cutting-edge research centers since 2014.
Ohio State University-Main Campus
Ohio State CSE operates one of the largest university cybersecurity research institutes in the nation through ICDT, while maintaining over 50 years of continuous innovation in computer engineering education with direct industry partnerships through the Ohio Manufacturing Institute and Honda-Ohio State Partnership.
University of California-Irvine
UC Irvine's Computer Engineering program is highly customizable to student interests and benefits from proximity to major tech companies, with graduates achieving an average starting salary of $73,850 according to alumni tracking data.
University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
Michigan's Computer Engineering program uniquely combines access to six specialized research laboratories with deep integration into the university's broader computational institutes, creating an ecosystem where students work alongside researchers tackling everything from chip-level design to warehouse-scale computing systems.
University of California-Merced
UC Merced's EECS graduate program broke into the top 100 national rankings for computer engineering in 2025 - a remarkable achievement for a campus barely 20 years old, demonstrating the program's rapid ascension in research excellence and industry recognition.
University of Central Florida
158 computer engineering graduates annually
University of Southern California
USC's Computer Engineering program uniquely combines cutting-edge VLSI design with advanced computer architecture research, while offering identical on-campus and online degree experiences through the pioneering DEN@Viterbi distance education network.
Best Computer Engineering Programs - Compare Top 5 Bachelor's
| School | Location | Type | Tuition | Grad Rate | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign | Champaign, IL | Public | $14,768 | 90% | 91.1/100 |
| #2 Purdue University-Main Campus | West Lafayette, IN | Public | $9,718 | 83% | 84.2/100 |
| #3 University of Washington-Seattle Campus | Seattle, WA | Public | $11,524 | 97% | 79.9/100 |
| #4 University of California-San Diego | La Jolla, CA | Public | $11,834 | 81% | 79.2/100 |
| #5 Ohio State University-Main Campus | Columbus, OH | Public | $11,826 | 90% | 78.1/100 |
Complete Computer Engineering Bachelor's Rankings
| Location | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign | Champaign, IL | $14,768 | 90% | — | 91.1 |
| 2 | Purdue University-Main Campus | West Lafayette, IN | $9,718 | 83% | — | 84.2 |
| 3 | University of Washington-Seattle Campus | Seattle, WA | $11,524 | 97% | — | 79.9 |
| 4 | University of California-San Diego | La Jolla, CA | $11,834 | 81% | — | 79.2 |
| 5 | Ohio State University-Main Campus | Columbus, OH | $11,826 | 90% | — | 78.1 |
| 6 | University of California-Irvine | Irvine, CA | $11,834 | 96% | — | 77.9 |
| 7 | University of Michigan-Ann Arbor | Ann Arbor, MI | $17,977 | 92% | — | 76.3 |
| 8 | University of California-Merced | Merced, CA | $11,834 | 95% | — | 75 |
| 9 | University of Central Florida | Orlando, FL | $4,478 | 93% | — | 74.3 |
| 10 | University of Southern California | Los Angeles, CA | $66,640 | 92% | — | 74.3 |
| 11 | Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University | Blacksburg, VA | $12,698 | 95% | — | 74.2 |
| 12 | Texas A & M University-College Station | College Station, TX | $9,003 | 84% | — | 72.3 |
| 13 | University of Maryland-College Park | College Park, MD | $9,889 | 84% | — | 71.7 |
| 14 | University of California-Los Angeles | Los Angeles, CA | $11,834 | 92% | — | 71.6 |
| 15 | University of California-Davis | Davis, CA | $11,834 | 91% | — | 70.8 |
| 16 | Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus | Atlanta, GA | $10,258 | 76% | — | 69.3 |
| 17 | University of Virginia-Main Campus | Charlottesville, VA | $18,823 | 96% | — | 69.3 |
| 18 | Columbia University in the City of New York | New York, NY | $64,526 | 100% | — | 69.2 |
| 19 | Northeastern University | Boston, MA | $62,000 | — | — | 69.1 |
| 20 | University of California-Santa Barbara | Santa Barbara, CA | $11,834 | 90% | — | 69.1 |
| 21 | San Diego State University | San Diego, CA | $5,742 | 83% | — | 68.8 |
| 22 | Syracuse University | Syracuse, NY | $61,310 | 99% | — | 68.8 |
| 23 | University of California-Santa Cruz | Santa Cruz, CA | $11,834 | 93% | — | 68.7 |
| 24 | University of Florida | Gainesville, FL | $4,477 | 95% | — | 67.8 |
| 25 | California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo | San Luis Obispo, CA | $5,742 | 100% | — | 67 |
Showing 1–25 of 50
What is Computer Engineering?
Computer engineering combines electrical engineering and computer science to design and develop computer systems and their components. Students learn both hardware and software development, studying everything from microprocessors and circuit design to programming and software architecture. This interdisciplinary field prepares graduates for careers spanning software engineering, hardware development, and systems integration.
Computer engineering bachelor's programs typically require 128-132 credit hours over four years. Core coursework includes digital logic design, computer architecture, embedded systems, programming languages, data structures, and algorithms. Advanced courses cover topics like artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, robotics, and machine learning. Most programs require hands-on laboratory work and capstone design projects.
The field offers excellent career prospects with computer hardware engineers earning a median annual wage of $132,360 (Bureau of Labor Statistics). Employment is projected to grow 5% from 2022 to 2032, faster than the average for all occupations. Graduates find opportunities in technology companies, aerospace firms, telecommunications, and emerging fields like autonomous vehicles and IoT devices.
Career Paths
Software Engineer
SOC 15-1252Design, develop, and maintain software applications and systems
Hardware Engineer
Design and develop computer hardware components and systems
Systems Engineer
Design and integrate complex computer systems and networks
Develop artificial intelligence and machine learning systems
Design secure systems and protect against cyber threats
Bridge development and operations to streamline software deployment
How to Choose the Right Computer Engineering Program
Selecting the best computer engineering program requires evaluating multiple factors beyond rankings. Start by examining curriculum alignment with your career goals. Students interested in hardware development should prioritize programs with strong electrical engineering foundations and access to fabrication facilities. Those focused on software and systems should look for programs emphasizing programming, algorithms, and software engineering methodologies.
Research opportunities significantly impact your educational experience and career prospects. Look for programs where undergraduates can participate in faculty research projects, particularly in emerging areas like artificial intelligence, quantum computing, or cybersecurity. Schools like MIT, Stanford, and Carnegie Mellon offer extensive undergraduate research programs that often lead to publications and graduate school opportunities.
Consider location and industry connections when making your decision. Programs in tech hubs like California Silicon Valley, Austin, or Seattle provide more internship opportunities and direct industry access. However, don't overlook strong programs in other regions that may offer better value or specialized research areas. Schools like UIUC and Georgia Tech maintain excellent industry relationships despite not being in traditional tech centers.
Choose Your Program Type Based On
- You plan to pursue graduate school or research careers
- Cost is not a primary concern
- You want small classes and personalized attention
- You're interested in cutting-edge research areas
- You want excellent education at lower cost
- You're comfortable in larger class settings
- You value diverse student body and experiences
- You're focused on industry careers over research
- You want to stay close to home
- You're interested in specific industry partnerships
- You prefer smaller school environment
- Cost and financial aid are primary concerns
Frequently Asked Questions
Based on 150 programs from IPEDS 2023, BLS OES May 2024
Degree completions (sqrt normalized, capped at 500)
6-year completion rate from IPEDS 2023
State-specific salary data from BLS OES 2024
Admission rate (lower = more selective)
Institution type (R1/R2 research bonus)
CAE-CD designation, curator bonuses
Data completeness proxy
Reporting completeness
Data Sources and Methodology
Federal database providing comprehensive information on postsecondary education institutions
U.S. Department of Education database with outcomes and financial data
Federal statistical agency providing employment and wage data
Official accreditor of engineering and technology programs
Taylor Rupe
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