- 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 New York University, University of Southern California, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor based on graduation rates, program strength, and career outcomes
- 3.Best value: University of California-San Diego offers computer engineering education at $11,834/year with 81% graduation rate
- 4.50 accredited Computer Engineering programs analyzed using IPEDS 2023 completion data
Best Computer Engineering Programs - Top 10 Master's
New York University
NYU Tandon's Computer Engineering program uniquely combines cutting-edge research in quantum computing, cybersecurity, and robotics with direct industry collaboration, housed within one of the nation's most comprehensive engineering schools in the heart of New York's innovation corridor.
Program Overview
NYU Tandon's Master of Science in Computer Engineering positions students at the cutting edge of telecommunications, networks, and microelectronics industries through a program that bridges hardware and software innovation. Under the direction of Professor Ramesh Karri, who also serves as department chair, the program emphasizes practical experience alongside theoretical foundations in areas ranging from VLSI verification and embedded systems design to computer architecture. The program offers remarkable flexibility with specialized tracks in Artificial Intelligence, Software, and Robotics, allowing students to customize their studies around emerging technologies like deep learning, autonomous systems, and network design. Students gain hands-on experience through collaborative relationships with industry and government agencies, while the program's location in Brooklyn provides access to NYC's thriving tech ecosystem.
Degree Programs
Research Labs & Institutes
Hardware security, cryptography, and information security research center
Fundamental research in AI and robotics with multi-agent systems and deep learning applications
Quantum technologies and advanced materials research
Industry Partners
Admissions
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.
Program Overview
The University of Southern California's MS in Computer Engineering program is a comprehensive 28-unit degree administered by the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering within the prestigious Viterbi School of Engineering. This program sits at the intersection of hardware and software, focusing on three core areas: Computer Architecture and Parallel Processing, Design and Analysis of Computer Networks and their Protocols, and VLSI Design and Computer Aided Design. Students can pursue the degree both on-campus and through USC's innovative DEN@Viterbi online platform, which provides the exact same curriculum and degree as the residential program. The program requires students to take at least one course from two of the three specialty areas, ensuring broad exposure while allowing for focused specialization. With strong industry connections and research opportunities available after the first semester, graduates consistently land positions at top-tier technology companies including Apple, NVIDIA, Qualcomm, and Google.
Degree Programs
Research Labs & Institutes
Interactive techniques and simulation of multimedia and 3D content
Human-centric and scalable robotic systems
Autonomous systems and distributed computing
Industry Partners
Admissions
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.
Program Overview
The University of Michigan-Ann Arbor's Computer Engineering program operates within the Computer Science and Engineering Division of the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, housed in the prestigious Bob and Betty Beyster Building. This program benefits from Michigan's robust research infrastructure, with faculty affiliated across six specialized laboratories including the Computer Engineering Laboratory, Artificial Intelligence Laboratory, and Systems Laboratory. Students gain access to cutting-edge research in chip design, architecture, and emerging devices, alongside embedded and mobile systems development.
The program's strength lies in its integration with Michigan's broader computational ecosystem, including partnerships with the Michigan Institute for Data Science (MIDAS), the Michigan Institute for Computational Discovery & Engineering (MICDE), and the Center for Computational Medicine and Bioinformatics. Research spans ten core areas from formal methods and automated reasoning to warehouse-scale and parallel systems, providing students with exposure to both theoretical foundations and practical applications in computer engineering.
Research Labs & Institutes
Chip design, architecture, and emerging devices research
AI research and applications
Networking, operating systems, and distributed systems
Human-computer interaction research
Theoretical computer science research
Educational research and pedagogy
Industry Partners
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.
Santa Clara University
261 computer engineering graduates annually
Syracuse University
46 computer engineering graduates annually
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.
North Carolina State University at Raleigh
176 computer engineering graduates annually
Columbia University in the City of New York
26 computer engineering graduates annually
Texas A & M University-College Station
91 computer engineering graduates annually
Best Computer Engineering Programs - Compare Top 5 Master's
| School | Location | Type | Tuition | Grad Rate | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 New York University | New York, NY | Private | $60,438 | N/A | 80.6/100 |
| #2 University of Southern California | Los Angeles, CA | Private | $66,640 | 92% | 77.4/100 |
| #3 University of Michigan-Ann Arbor | Ann Arbor, MI | Public | $17,977 | 92% | 77.2/100 |
| #4 University of California-San Diego | La Jolla, CA | Public | $11,834 | 81% | 74.3/100 |
| #5 Santa Clara University | Santa Clara, CA | Private | $58,587 | 91% | 72.8/100 |
Best Computer Engineering Master's Programs 2026
| Rank | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | — | New York, NY | $60,438 | — | — | — |
| 2 | — | Los Angeles, CA | $66,640 | — | — | — |
| 3 | — | Ann Arbor, MI | $17,977 | — | — | — |
| 4 | — | La Jolla, CA | $11,834 | — | — | — |
| 5 | — | Santa Clara, CA | $58,587 | — | — | — |
| 6 | — | Syracuse, NY | $61,310 | — | — | — |
| 7 | — | Irvine, CA | $11,834 | — | — | — |
| 8 | — | Raleigh, NC | $6,535 | — | — | — |
| 9 | — | New York, NY | $64,526 | — | — | — |
| 10 | — | College Station, TX | $9,003 | — | — | — |
| 11 | — | Blacksburg, VA | $12,698 | — | — | — |
| 12 | — | Evanston, IL | $64,887 | — | — | — |
| 13 | — | Charlottesville, VA | $18,823 | — | — | — |
| 14 | — | Notre Dame, IN | $62,186 | — | — | — |
| 15 | — | Orlando, FL | $4,478 | — | — | — |
| 16 | — | Stony Brook, NY | $7,070 | — | — | — |
| 17 | — | Hoboken, NJ | $58,680 | — | — | — |
| 18 | — | Saint Louis, MO | $61,750 | — | — | — |
| 19 | — | Rochester, NY | $55,784 | — | — | — |
| 20 | — | Auburn, AL | $10,704 | — | — | — |
| 21 | — | Columbus, OH | $11,826 | — | — | — |
| 22 | — | San Jose, CA | $5,742 | — | — | — |
| 23 | — | Riverside, CA | $11,834 | — | — | — |
| 24 | — | Ames, IA | $8,982 | — | — | — |
| 25 | — | Tempe, AZ | $11,308 | — | — | — |
Showing 1–25 of 50
Career Paths
Hardware Engineer
SOC 17-2061Design and develop computer systems and components including processors, memory systems, and specialized hardware
Software Engineer
SOC 15-1252Develop software applications and systems, often with focus on low-level programming and system optimization
AI/ML Engineer
SOC 15-1299Design and implement artificial intelligence and machine learning systems, including specialized hardware acceleration
Cybersecurity Engineer
SOC 15-1212Develop secure computing systems and implement hardware-based security solutions
Systems Architect
SOC 15-1241Design complex computing systems and oversee integration of hardware and software components
Research Scientist
SOC 17-2199Conduct advanced research in computer engineering, often in industry R&D or government laboratories
What Makes a Great Computer Engineering Master's Program
The best computer engineering master's programs combine rigorous academic training with practical industry experience. Top programs feature faculty who are active researchers in cutting-edge areas like artificial intelligence hardware, quantum computing, and cybersecurity systems. These programs maintain strong industry partnerships that provide students with internship opportunities and direct pathways to employment.
Research opportunities are a hallmark of excellent programs. Students work alongside faculty on funded projects from organizations like the National Science Foundation and DARPA, gaining hands-on experience with emerging technologies. The best programs also offer state-of-the-art laboratory facilities, including clean rooms for semiconductor fabrication, advanced testing equipment, and high-performance computing clusters.
Career services and industry connections set top programs apart. Leading schools maintain relationships with major technology companies, defense contractors, and startups. These connections result in job placement rates above 90% within six months of graduation, with many students receiving multiple offers. Alumni networks also play a crucial role, with graduates often recruiting from their alma mater.
The curriculum in top programs balances theoretical foundations with practical skills. Core courses cover digital system design, computer architecture, embedded systems, and signal processing. Advanced electives allow specialization in areas like artificial intelligence hardware, cybersecurity systems, or wireless communications. Many programs require a thesis or capstone project that demonstrates mastery of both technical and research skills.
How to Choose the Right Computer Engineering Master's Program
- You plan to pursue a PhD or research career
- You want to work in R&D at technology companies
- You're interested in cutting-edge areas like quantum computing
- You have strong undergraduate research experience
- You want to enter industry immediately after graduation
- You prefer practical, hands-on learning over theoretical research
- You're interested in product development and engineering roles
- You value strong industry partnerships and internship programs
- You're currently working full-time in the field
- You need maximum scheduling flexibility
- You're focused on software aspects of computer engineering
- Cost is a primary consideration
- You have strong academic credentials (GPA 3.7+, GRE 320+)
- You want access to the best research facilities and faculty
- You're targeting positions at leading technology companies
- You can handle intense academic competition
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
Program rankings and institutional data
Employment and salary statistics for computer hardware engineers
Tuition costs and program information
Program accreditation status and requirements
Taylor Rupe
Full-Stack Developer (B.S. Computer Science, B.A. Psychology)
Taylor combines formal training in computer science with a background in human behavior to evaluate complex search, AI, and data-driven topics. His technical review ensures each article reflects current best practices in semantic search, AI systems, and web technology.