- 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 Online
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 Online
| School | Location | Type | Tuition | Grad Rate | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign | Champaign, IL | Public | $14,768 | 90% | 96.1/100 |
| #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 |
Top 30 Online Computer Engineering Programs 2026
| Rank | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign | Champaign, IL | Public | $14,768 | 90% | — | 96.1 |
| 2 | Purdue University-Main Campus | West Lafayette, IN | Public | $9,718 | 83% | — | 84.2 |
| 3 | University of Washington-Seattle Campus | Seattle, WA | Public | $11,524 | 97% | — | 79.9 |
| 4 | University of California-San Diego | La Jolla, CA | Public | $11,834 | 81% | — | 79.2 |
| 5 | Ohio State University-Main Campus | Columbus, OH | Public | $11,826 | 90% | — | 78.1 |
| 6 | University of California-Irvine | Irvine, CA | Public | $11,834 | 96% | — | 77.9 |
| 7 | University of Michigan-Ann Arbor | Ann Arbor, MI | Public | $17,977 | 92% | — | 76.3 |
| 8 | University of California-Merced | Merced, CA | Public | $11,834 | 95% | — | 75 |
| 9 | University of Central Florida | Orlando, FL | Public | $4,478 | 93% | — | 74.3 |
| 10 | University of Southern California | Los Angeles, CA | Private | $66,640 | 92% | — | 74.3 |
| 11 | Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University | Blacksburg, VA | Public | $12,698 | 95% | — | 74.2 |
| 12 | University of Florida | Gainesville, FL | Public | $4,477 | 95% | — | 72.8 |
| 13 | Texas A & M University-College Station | College Station, TX | Public | $9,003 | 84% | — | 72.3 |
| 14 | University of Maryland-College Park | College Park, MD | Public | $9,889 | 84% | — | 71.7 |
| 15 | University of California-Los Angeles | Los Angeles, CA | Public | $11,834 | 92% | — | 71.6 |
| 16 | University of California-Davis | Davis, CA | Public | $11,834 | 91% | — | 70.8 |
| 17 | Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus | Atlanta, GA | Public | $10,258 | 76% | — | 69.3 |
| 18 | University of Virginia-Main Campus | Charlottesville, VA | Public | $18,823 | 96% | — | 69.3 |
| 19 | Columbia University in the City of New York | New York, NY | Private | $64,526 | 100% | — | 69.2 |
| 20 | Northeastern University | Boston, MA | Private | $62,000 | — | — | 69.1 |
| 21 | University of California-Santa Barbara | Santa Barbara, CA | Public | $11,834 | 90% | — | 69.1 |
| 22 | San Diego State University | San Diego, CA | Public | $5,742 | 83% | — | 68.8 |
| 23 | Syracuse University | Syracuse, NY | Private | $61,310 | 99% | — | 68.8 |
| 24 | University of California-Santa Cruz | Santa Cruz, CA | Public | $11,834 | 93% | — | 68.7 |
| 25 | California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo | San Luis Obispo, CA | Public | $5,742 | 100% | — | 67 |
Showing 1–25 of 50
Online Computer Engineering Degree Overview: Quality Without Compromise
Online computer engineering degrees have evolved dramatically since 2020, with top universities now offering programs that match on-campus quality while providing unprecedented flexibility. Our analysis of 134 ABET-accredited online programs reveals that graduates earn comparable salaries and achieve similar job placement rates to their on-campus counterparts.
The key difference lies in delivery methods: Arizona State University's online program uses advanced simulation software and virtual labs that mirror real hardware, while Penn State World Campus maintains the same faculty and curriculum as their prestigious on-campus program. Students gain expertise in both hardware design and software development, preparing for careers in embedded systems engineering, firmware development, and IoT device creation.
Online learning platforms now support complex engineering coursework through virtual circuit simulation, remote access to lab equipment, and real-time collaboration tools. Programs like Southern New Hampshire University offer accelerated pathways that allow working professionals to complete degrees in 3-4 years while maintaining full-time employment.
Career Paths
Embedded Systems Engineer
SOC 17-2061Design and develop embedded software and hardware for consumer electronics, automotive systems, and IoT devices. Work with microcontrollers, real-time operating systems, and hardware interfaces.
Firmware Engineer
SOC 15-1252Develop low-level software that controls hardware components in electronic devices. Focus on device drivers, boot loaders, and hardware abstraction layers.
Hardware Engineer
SOC 17-2061Design and test computer hardware components including processors, memory systems, and circuit boards. Work on computer architecture and digital system design.
IoT Solutions Architect
SOC 15-1199Design end-to-end Internet of Things systems including sensors, connectivity, data processing, and user interfaces. Combine hardware and software expertise.
Systems Integration Engineer
SOC 17-2061Integrate complex computer systems and ensure hardware and software components work together effectively. Focus on testing, troubleshooting, and optimization.
Cybersecurity Engineer
SOC 15-1212Secure computer systems and networks at the hardware and firmware level. Design security protocols and implement hardware-based security solutions.
Financial Aid and Funding Options for Online Students
Online computer engineering students have access to the same federal financial aid programs as on-campus students, including Pell Grants, federal student loans, and work-study opportunities. Many programs offer additional online-specific scholarships and employer tuition reimbursement partnerships.
Several top programs offer flat-rate tuition regardless of residency, making them more affordable for out-of-state students. Arizona State University and Southern New Hampshire University both use this pricing model, while public institutions like Penn State World Campus charge the same rate to all online students.
- Federal Pell Grants up to $7,395 annually for eligible students
- Federal Direct Loans with competitive interest rates
- Employer tuition reimbursement programs (average $5,250/year)
- Military and veteran education benefits including GI Bill
- Institution-specific scholarships for online engineering students
- Payment plans and flexible scheduling to maintain employment
Choose Your Program Profile
- You want the most advanced virtual lab technology
- 24/7 support is important for your schedule
- You prefer accelerated 8-week course formats
- Cost is a primary concern (excellent value at $11,618/year)
- You want prestigious university recognition
- Industry connections and alumni network matter
- You prefer traditional semester-long courses
- You're targeting aerospace or defense industry careers
- You're a working parent needing maximum flexibility
- You want to accelerate through familiar material
- Comprehensive student support is priority
- You prefer competency-based learning approaches
- You're military or veteran seeking specialized support
- Government/defense contractor career is your goal
- You need maximum transfer credit acceptance
- DC metro area location provides career advantages
Frequently Asked Questions About Online Computer Engineering Degrees
Based on 134 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
Graduation rates, enrollment data, tuition costs, and institutional characteristics for all accredited programs
Salary data and job growth projections for computer engineering occupations (SOC 17-2061)
Accreditation status verification and program quality standards for engineering programs
Direct data collection from universities regarding job placement rates, student satisfaction, and career outcomes
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.