Best Online Computer Engineering Degree Programs 2026

Best Computer Engineering Programs - Top 10 Online — Complete Program Data

1. #1. University of California-Berkeley Computer Engineering Program

   Hakia ranks University of California-Berkeley as the #1 in computer engineering degree program. Location: Berkeley, CA | Type: Public | Tuition: $11,834/year | Graduation Rate: 96% | Score: 100.0

   What makes University of California-Berkeley stand out: Berkeley EECS is top-ranked with strong tradition of collaboration and close industry ties. ECE BS on track for ABET accreditation. MEng program offers Data Science, Computer Systems, and Visual Computing concentrations. Average admitted MEng students have 3.7 GPA.

   Hakia Insight: With a 11% acceptance rate, University of California-Berkeley's computer engineering program is among the nation's most competitive, attracting top talent to its nationally recognized faculty.

   Program Overview: Berkeley EECS combines fundamentals of computer science and electrical engineering in one major through College of Engineering. Students complete minimum 20 units upper division EECS and 40 units engineering courses. ECE BS offers hands-on experience in robotics, integrated circuits, and more.

   Degree Programs: BS Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences (4 years); BS Electrical and Computer Engineering (4 years)

   Research Labs: BAIR Lab - AI research; Berkeley Wireless Research Center - Wireless systems

   Industry Partners: Google, Apple, Intel

   Career Outcomes: | Top Employers: Google, Apple, Meta, Amazon, Intel | Common Roles: Software Engineer, Hardware Engineer, Systems Engineer

   Admissions: | Acceptance Rate: 11%

   Accreditations: ABET Accredited

2. #2. University of California-Irvine Computer Engineering Program

   Hakia ranks University of California-Irvine as the #2 in computer engineering degree program. Location: Irvine, CA | Type: Public | Tuition: $11,834/year | Graduation Rate: 96% | Score: 92.0

   What makes University of California-Irvine stand out: UC Irvine is the only independent computing school in the University of California system, enabling a uniquely broad, multidisciplinary approach to software engineering that bridges computer science, engineering, mathematics, and behavioral sciences.

   Hakia Insight: University of California-Irvine's industry network — including Amazon and Google — provides students with internship and hiring pathways.

   Program Overview: UC Irvine's Donald Bren School of Information and Computer Sciences offers two distinct Master of Software Engineering pathways designed for different career goals. The Master of Software Engineering (MSWE) is a professionally-oriented program offering both 15-month full-time and 24-month part-time tracks, specifically tailored for working professionals and career changers. This program emphasizes practical skills through internships and industry capstone projects, with comprehensive coverage of AI for Software Engineering (AI4SE) tools and Software Engineering for AI (SE4AI) systems. For those seeking research-focused training, the M.S. Software Engineering (MSSE) program provides a heavily research-oriented experience requiring thesis completion and designed as preparation for doctoral studies or research careers in corporate and government laboratories. The school's faculty lead cutting-edge research through specialized labs including the Software Engineering and Analysis Lab (SEAL), the Software Engineering & Testing Using Artificial Intelligence for Reliable Software (STAIRS) lab, and collaborations with the California Institute for Telecommunications and Information Technology (Calit2).

   Degree Programs: BS (4 years); MS (2 years); PhD

   Research Labs: Software Engineering and Analysis Lab (SEAL) - Software engineering research and analysis; Software Engineering & Testing Using Artificial Intelligence for Reliable Software (STAIRS) - AI-enhanced software testing and reliability; California Institute for Telecommunications and Information Technology (Calit2) - Telecommunications and information technology research

   Industry Partners: Amazon, Google, Microsoft, Meta

   Career Outcomes: | Top Employers: Amazon, Amazon Web Services (AWS), Capital One, Google, Microsoft, Meta, Costar Group, Veeva Systems, Northrop Grumman

   Notable Faculty: Marios C. Papaefthymiou (Dean of Donald Bren School of Information and Computer Sciences)

   Admissions:

3. #3. University of Washington-Seattle Campus Computer Engineering Program

   Hakia ranks University of Washington-Seattle Campus as the #3 in computer engineering degree program. Location: Seattle, WA | Type: Public | Tuition: $11,524/year | Graduation Rate: 97% | Score: 90.6

   What makes University of Washington-Seattle Campus stand out: UW Allen School uniquely eliminates the traditional standalone master's degree in favor of specialized pathways: a fully-funded Ph.D. track, an exclusive fifth-year master's for their own undergraduates, and a part-time professional program for regional tech workers, all housed in the state-of-the-art Paul G. Allen Center and Bill & Melinda Gates Center facilities.

   Hakia Insight: University of Washington-Seattle Campus graduates earn $130,000, driven by the program's industry connections and hands-on computer engineering curriculum.

   Program Overview: The University of Washington's Paul G. Allen School of Computer Science & Engineering operates as one of the nation's premier computer science programs, consistently ranking among the top programs nationally. The school offers a comprehensive graduate education ecosystem that uniquely serves different student populations without a traditional standalone master's degree. Instead, UW provides a research-intensive Ph.D. program where students earn both master's and doctoral degrees with full financial support, a Combined B.S./M.S. program (also called the Fifth Year Master's Program) exclusively for current Allen School undergraduates, and a Professional Master's Program designed as a part-time evening option for working professionals in the Puget Sound region. The school recently launched a Graduate Certificate in Modern AI Methods starting fall 2025, designed for working professionals across industries seeking to leverage cutting-edge AI and machine learning techniques.

   Degree Programs: Full-time Ph.D. Program (5-7 years); Combined B.S./M.S. Program (Fifth Year Master's) (1 year beyond bachelor's); Professional Master's Program (PMP) (Variable); Graduate Certificate in Modern AI Methods (Variable)

   Research Labs: Artificial Intelligence Research - Core AI research and applications; Computing + Biology Research - Interdisciplinary research at the intersection of computing and life sciences; Human-Centered Computing Research - Technology design and human-computer interaction

   Industry Partners: Microsoft, Amazon, Google, Boeing, Intel

   Career Outcomes: Placement Rate: 95%+ | Top Employers: Microsoft, Amazon, Google, Apple, Boeing, Meta, Intel | Common Roles: Software Engineer, Hardware Engineer, Systems Engineer, Machine Learning Engineer, Research Scientist

   Notable Faculty: Professor Noah Smith (Artificial Intelligence and Natural Language Processing); Professor Sheng Wang (AI applications in healthcare); Professor Shyam Gollakota (Mobile Intelligence)

   Admissions:

   Accreditations: ABET accredited Computer Engineering degree program

4. #4. University of California-San Diego Computer Engineering Program

   Hakia ranks University of California-San Diego as the #4 in computer engineering degree program. Location: La Jolla, CA | Type: Public | Tuition: $11,834/year | Graduation Rate: 81% | Score: 89.4

   What makes University of California-San Diego stand out: UCSD ECE won 2024 ECEDHA Innovative Program Award for significantly enhancing ECE education. Program ensures hands-on project-based learning. Starting Summer 2025, students can apply to ECE majors once per year with limited space.

   Hakia Insight: With a 23% acceptance rate, University of California-San Diego's computer engineering program is among the nation's most competitive, attracting top talent to its nationally recognized faculty.

   Program Overview: UC San Diego BS Computer Engineering is jointly administered by CSE and ECE departments. Program requires 132 units with strong emphasis on engineering mathematics and computer science. Updated Fall 2024 curriculum enables exploration from both CSE and ECE perspectives.

   Degree Programs: BS Computer Engineering (4 years)

   Research Labs: Jacobs School of Engineering Research - ECE research; San Diego Supercomputer Center - High-performance computing

   Industry Partners: Qualcomm, Google, Illumina

   Career Outcomes: | Top Employers: Qualcomm, Google, Amazon, Apple, Intel | Common Roles: Hardware Engineer, Software Engineer, Embedded Systems Engineer

   Admissions: | Acceptance Rate: 23%

   Accreditations: ABET Accredited

5. #5. University of California-Santa Cruz Computer Engineering Program

   Hakia ranks University of California-Santa Cruz as the #5 in computer engineering degree program. Location: Santa Cruz, CA | Type: Public | Tuition: $11,834/year | Graduation Rate: 93% | Score: 89.0

   What makes University of California-Santa Cruz stand out: UCSC pioneered the academic study of games and is consistently ranked among the top 5 game design programs worldwide, with a unique location just one hour from Silicon Valley enabling direct industry connections while maintaining a research-focused academic environment.

   Hakia Insight: University of California-Santa Cruz's Alternative Learning Technologies and Games (ALT Games) Lab creates a direct research-to-career pipeline with Silicon Valley Tech Companies, bridging academic research and industry practice.

   Program Overview: UC Santa Cruz's Bachelor of Science in Computer Science: Computer Game Design represents one of the most prestigious and comprehensive game development programs in the world. This four-year undergraduate degree program uniquely fuses technical engineering prowess with artistic vision, focusing on the construction and design of interactive computer games. Students dive deep into the technical, narrative, and artistic foundations of game development, culminating in an intensive year-long game project sequence during their final year where they create professional-quality games from concept to completion. The program is consistently ranked among the top game design programs globally, holding the #5 spot for best game/simulation development program in the nation according to U.S. News & World Report 2024. What sets UCSC apart is its interdisciplinary approach spanning multiple divisions, fostering collaboration between engineering, arts, and social sciences. The program operates through the Baskin School of Engineering's Computational Media Department, which houses world-class research faculty and the Center for Computational Experience - an interdisciplinary research center focused on human-computer interaction and technology for games and play.

   Degree Programs: B.S. Computer Science: Computer Game Design (4 years); B.A. Art & Design: Games + Playable Media (4 years); M.S. Games + Playable Media (5 quarters (1.67 years)); M.S. Computational Media (2 years)

   Research Labs: Center for Computational Experience - Interdisciplinary research center focused on human computer interaction and technology for games and play; Alternative Learning Technologies and Games (ALT Games) Lab - Intersection of games, human-computer interaction, and learning science

   Industry Partners: Silicon Valley Tech Companies

   Career Outcomes: Placement Rate: not specified

   Notable Faculty: Scott Beamer (Computer Hardware and Architecture); Matthew Guthaus (VLSI and Chip Design); Jose Renau (Computer Architecture and Design Automation); Heiner Litz (Computer Systems and Architecture)

   Admissions: | Acceptance Rate: not specified

6. #6. University of California-Los Angeles Computer Engineering Program

   Hakia ranks University of California-Los Angeles as the #6 in computer engineering degree program. Location: Los Angeles, CA | Type: Public | Tuition: $11,834/year | Graduation Rate: 92% | Score: 87.7

   What makes University of California-Los Angeles stand out: UCLA ECE BS is ABET accredited with three major departmental areas: signals and systems, circuits and embedded systems, and physical wave electronics. Computer Engineering focuses on hardware-software systems from small IoT to large data centers.

   Hakia Insight: With a 9% acceptance rate, University of California-Los Angeles's computer engineering program is among the nation's most competitive, attracting top talent to its nationally recognized faculty.

   Program Overview: UCLA Computer Engineering is a designated capstone major jointly administered by CS and ECE departments. Curriculum covers mathematical and scientific disciplines in data science and embedded networked systems. Includes understanding of IoT, cyber-physical systems, and robotic systems.

   Degree Programs: BS; MS; PhD

   Research Labs: UCLA NESL - Networked and Embedded Systems; Scalable Analytics Institute - Data systems

   Industry Partners: Google, Apple, Netflix

   Career Outcomes: | Top Employers: Google, Apple, Amazon, Microsoft, Netflix | Common Roles: Hardware Engineer, Software Engineer, Systems Engineer

   Notable Faculty: Xiang Anthony Chen (Human-computer interaction, sensing and interaction techniques, intelligent user interfaces, computational design and fabrication); Jason Cong (Computer system architecture, energy-efficient computing, reconfigurable computing, electronic design automation); Puneet Gupta (Design-technology co-optimization, variability and reliability-aware computer architecture, electronic design automation); Lei He (Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Internet of Things (IoT), Programmable Logic (FPGA), AI-on-A-Chip, Quantum Computing); Achuta Kadambi (Computational Imaging, Computer Vision, Machine Learning, Robotics, Medical Devices); William Kaiser (Biomedical informatics, embedded systems, biomedical devices); Ankur Mehta (Printable robotics, Rapid design and fabrication, Controls algorithms, Wireless sensor networks); Majid Sarrafzadeh (Embedded systems, health analytics, biomedical systems, and algorithm design); Nader Sehatbakhsh (Security and Privacy, Computer Architecture, IoT/Embedded Systems Security, and Side-Channels); Mani B. Srivastava (Embedded software, Ubiquitous and mobile computing, Human-cyber-physical systems, Security and privacy); Lixia Zhang (Internet architecture and protocol designs, security and resiliency of large-scale systems); Omid Abari (Internet-of-Things (IoT), Digital Health, Ubiquitous Sensing, Wireless and Mobile Systems, Human-computer interaction (HCI))

   Admissions: | Acceptance Rate: 9%

   Accreditations: ABET Accredited

7. #7. University of California-Davis Computer Engineering Program

   Hakia ranks University of California-Davis as the #7 in computer engineering degree program. Location: Davis, CA | Type: Public | Tuition: $11,834/year | Graduation Rate: 91% | Score: 87.3

   What makes University of California-Davis stand out: UC Davis CS students developed and taught their own upper-division Android course covering 73% of global mobile devices. iPhone programming course fills within hours. Students can become iOS developers for ASUCD working on the UC Davis Mobile app.

   Program Overview: UC Davis CS department offers mobile development courses including student-taught Android app development and popular iOS/iPhone programming classes. Students can work on the official UC Davis Mobile app as iOS developers.

   Degree Programs: BS Computer Science (4 years); iOS Development Specialization (Coursera) (6 months)

   Research Labs: Computer Science Research - Mobile and software systems

   Industry Partners: Sacramento and Bay Area tech

   Career Outcomes: | Top Employers: Apple, Google, Intel, HP | Common Roles: Mobile Developer, iOS Developer, Software Engineer

   Admissions: | Acceptance Rate: 37%

   Accreditations: ABET

8. #8. University of Maryland-College Park Computer Engineering Program

   Hakia ranks University of Maryland-College Park as the #8 in computer engineering degree program. Location: College Park, MD | Type: Public | Tuition: $9,889/year | Graduation Rate: 84% | Score: 86.7

   What makes University of Maryland-College Park stand out: UMD is #1 in the USA for producing computer science and information science bachelor's degrees among non-online universities, with unique access to 400+ top industry partners and federal agencies in the National Capital Region including NSA, NIST, and the Laboratory for Physical Sciences.

   Hakia Insight: University of Maryland-College Park's direct partnerships with IBM and Google give students a competitive edge through industry-embedded projects and recruiting pipelines.

   Program Overview: The University of Maryland-College Park offers a comprehensive Information Technology ecosystem through its College of Information Studies (iSchool) and Robert H. Smith School of Business. The flagship program is the Bachelor of Science in Information Science (InfoSci), a 4-year degree requiring 120 credits that uniquely blends technical skills in database design, cybersecurity, and web development with social sciences and humanities. The program stands out for its hands-on learning approach with over 400 industry partners and access to world-renowned research centers. For graduate students, the Smith School offers both in-person and online Master of Science in Information Systems (MSIS) programs - a 3-semester, 30-credit STEM-designated degree that focuses on AI, data analytics, and business-technology leadership. What sets UMD apart is its strategic location in the National Capital Region, surrounded by federal agencies like NSA, NIST, and major tech firms. The InfoSci program is the fastest-growing undergraduate program at UMD, while the university ranks #1 in the USA for producing computer science and information science bachelor's degrees among non-online universities. Students benefit from partnerships with the Laboratory for Physical Sciences, quantum computing initiatives, and direct access to government and industry professionals who regularly engage in curriculum development and project collaboration.

   Degree Programs: Bachelor of Science in Information Science (4 years); Master of Science in Information Systems (In-Person) (3 semesters); Master of Science in Information Systems (Online) (flexible)

   Research Labs: Information Policy and Access Center (iPAC) - Research on government decisions and information access impacts at national, regional, and community levels; Social Data Science (SoDa) Center - Survey methods, measurement, information management, visualization, and analytics for social data science; Maryland Initiative for Digital Accessibility (MIDA) - Making digital technologies accessible for all through 'born-accessible' approach; Center for Automation Research - Computer Vision Laboratory and Laboratory for Language and Media Processing

   Industry Partners: IBM, Google, CIA, National Archives, Smithsonian, Library of Congress, Laboratory for Physical Sciences, National Institute of Standards and Technology

   Career Outcomes: | Top Employers: IBM, Google, Library of Congress, National Archives, Smithsonian, CIA, IMF, Discovery Channel, New York Times, National Geographic, Amazon, Salesforce, Capital One, Deloitte | Common Roles: Data Scientist, Database Administrator, User Experience Designer, Cybersecurity Specialist, Web Developer, Systems Architect, Business Intelligence Analyst

   Notable Faculty: Siva Viswanathan (Platform design, social media and network analytics, information economics and the sharing economy); Sujin Kim (Simulation methodology and stochastic simulation-based optimization in electric power and health service systems); Lauren Rhue (Economic and social implications of technology platforms in minority communities)

   Admissions: GPA: 3.5 average GPA for MSIS program

   Accreditations: #18 in USA as Public Research Institution (NSF HERD Survey), #7 in USA as University for Undergraduate Entrepreneurship (The Princeton Review), #7 in Management Information Systems, Public Universities (U.S. News and World Report)

9. #9. University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Computer Engineering Program

   Hakia ranks University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign as the #9 in computer engineering degree program. Location: Champaign, IL | Type: Public | Tuition: $14,768/year | Graduation Rate: 90% | Score: 83.0

   What makes University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign stand out: UIUC ECE offers specialized concentrations including hardware systems, cyberphysical systems, AI/ML/robotics, networking, and security. ECE 110 introduces electronics with autonomous vehicle lab projects. Strong hands-on learning with design, simulation, and programming.

   Hakia Insight: University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign graduates earn $103,222, driven by the program's industry connections and hands-on computer engineering curriculum.

   Program Overview: UIUC ECE ranked #5 for both undergraduate Computer Engineering and Electrical Engineering programs. Department has 130+ courses, $50M+ research expenditures, and 197 expert faculty. Rich set of electives allows concentration in any computer engineering sub-discipline.

   Degree Programs: BS Computer Engineering (4 years)

   Research Labs: Coordinated Science Laboratory - Systems research; Information Trust Institute - Cybersecurity

   Industry Partners: Caterpillar, John Deere, Google

   Career Outcomes: | Top Employers: Microsoft, Amazon, Capital One | Common Roles: computer system architecture, GPU architecture, hardware design, microprocessor design, programming, research, software architecture

   Admissions:

   Accreditations: ABET Accredited

10. #10. San Diego State University Computer Engineering Program

    Hakia ranks San Diego State University as the #10 in computer engineering degree program. Location: San Diego, CA | Type: Public | Tuition: $5,742/year | Graduation Rate: 83% | Score: 82.8

    What makes San Diego State University stand out: SDSU provides CSU-affordable computer science education in San Diego's thriving tech ecosystem, with strong connections to defense, biotech, and telecommunications industries.

    Hakia Insight: San Diego State University leverages partnerships with Qualcomm and SAIC to offer students real-world project experience valued by employers.

    Program Overview: San Diego State University's Department of Computer Science offers comprehensive programs serving San Diego's defense, biotech, and technology industries. SDSU combines Cal State affordability with strong industry connections in America's Finest City. The department emphasizes practical skills and research opportunities, with particular strength in data science and cybersecurity.

    Degree Programs: BS Computer Science (4 years); BS Statistics with Data Science emphasis (4 years)

    Research Labs: Center for Human Dynamics in the Mobile Age (HDMA) - Human dynamics, social media, big data, visualization; Metabolism of Cities Living Lab (MOC-LLAB) - UN Sustainable Development Goals localization; Data-informed Construction Engineering (DiCE) research lab - AI, IoT, cyber-physical systems in construction; Spacecraft Platform for Astronautics & Celestial Emulation (SPACE) laboratory - Space operations sensing, guidance, dynamics, and control

    Industry Partners: Qualcomm, SAIC, Illumina

    Career Outcomes: | Top Employers: Qualcomm, Northrop Grumman, SAIC, Illumina, Sony | Common Roles: Software Engineer, Data Analyst, Systems Engineer, Security Analyst

    Admissions: | Acceptance Rate: 38%

    Accreditations: ABET accredited