Compare 134 ABET-accredited online computer engineering degree programs using data from IPEDS 2024 and BLS 2024. Our rankings analyze graduation rates, tuition costs, student-faculty ratios, and career outcomes for distance learning programs.
$135,980 median salary · 88% graduation rate
$135,980 median salary · 91% graduation rate
$135,980 median salary · 85% graduation rate
$135,980 median salary · 82% graduation rate
$135,980 median salary · 84% graduation rate
$135,980 median salary · 74% graduation rate
$135,980 median salary · 84% graduation rate
$135,980 median salary · 81% graduation rate
$135,980 median salary · 57% graduation rate
$135,980 median salary · 64% graduation rate
Hakia ranks New York University's online master's computer engineering program #1. Degree: Master's. Delivery: fully online. Location: New York, NY | Type: Private nonprofit | Tuition: $62,796/year | Graduation Rate: 88% | Median Salary: $135,980 | Score: 93.8
Hakia ranks University of Florida's online master's computer engineering program #2. Degree: Master's. Delivery: fully online. Location: Gainesville, FL | Type: Public | Tuition: $4,477/year | Graduation Rate: 91% | Median Salary: $135,980 | Score: 90.8
Hakia ranks North Carolina State University at Raleigh's online master's computer engineering program #3. Degree: Master's. Delivery: fully online. Location: Raleigh, NC | Type: Public | Tuition: $6,535/year | Graduation Rate: 85% | Median Salary: $135,980 | Score: 89.8
Hakia ranks Auburn University's online master's computer engineering program #4. Degree: Master's. Delivery: fully online. Location: Auburn, AL | Type: Public | Tuition: $11,016/year | Graduation Rate: 82% | Median Salary: $135,980 | Score: 85.2
Hakia ranks Texas A&M University-College Station's online master's computer engineering program #5. Degree: Master's. Delivery: fully online. Location: College Station, TX | Type: Public | Tuition: $9,092/year | Graduation Rate: 84% | Median Salary: $135,980 | Score: 85.0
Hakia ranks Florida International University's online bachelor's computer engineering program #6. Degree: Bachelor's. Delivery: fully online. Location: Miami, FL | Type: Public | Tuition: $4,721/year | Graduation Rate: 74% | Median Salary: $135,980 | Score: 84.7
Hakia ranks Southern Methodist University's online master's computer engineering program #7. Degree: Master's. Delivery: fully online. Location: Dallas, TX | Type: Private nonprofit | Tuition: $59,500/year | Graduation Rate: 84% | Median Salary: $135,980 | Score: 78.8
Hakia ranks University of Delaware's online master's computer engineering program #8. Degree: Master's. Delivery: fully online. Location: Newark, DE | Type: Public | Tuition: $14,600/year | Graduation Rate: 81% | Median Salary: $135,980 | Score: 78.1
Hakia ranks Regent University's online bachelor's computer engineering program #9. Degree: Bachelor's. Delivery: fully online. Location: Virginia Beach, VA | Type: Private nonprofit | Tuition: $19,950/year | Graduation Rate: 57% | Median Salary: $135,980 | Score: 71.4
Hakia ranks Missouri University of Science and Technology's online master's computer engineering program #10. Degree: Master's. Delivery: fully online. Location: Rolla, MO | Type: Public | Tuition: $13,656/year | Graduation Rate: 64% | Median Salary: $135,980 | Score: 70.1
| School | Location | Type | Tuition | Grad Rate | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 University of California-Berkeley | Berkeley, CA | Public | $11,834 | 96% | 100.0/100 |
| #2 University of California-Irvine | Irvine, CA | Public | $11,834 | 96% | 92.0/100 |
| #3 University of Washington-Seattle Campus | Seattle, WA | Public | $11,524 | 97% | 90.6/100 |
| #4 University of California-San Diego | La Jolla, CA | Public | $11,834 | 81% | 89.4/100 |
| #5 University of California-Santa Cruz | Santa Cruz, CA | Public | $11,834 | 93% | 89.0/100 |
Data from IPEDS 2024. Tuition shown is in-state for public schools.
| Rank | Program & School | Delivery | Annual Tuition | Grad Rate | Median Salary | Hakia Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Master's in Computer Engineering New York UniversityNew York, NY · Private nonprofit | Online | $62,796 | 88% | $135,980 | 93.8 |
| #2 | Master's in Computer Engineering University of FloridaGainesville, FL · Public | Online | $4,477 | 91% | $135,980 | 90.8 |
| #3 | Master's in Computer Engineering North Carolina State University at RaleighRaleigh, NC · Public | Online | $6,535 | 85% | $135,980 | 89.8 |
| #4 | Master's in Computer Engineering Auburn UniversityAuburn, AL · Public | Online | $11,016 | 82% | $135,980 | 85.2 |
| #5 | Master's in Computer Engineering Texas A&M University-College StationCollege Station, TX · Public | Online | $9,092 | 84% | $135,980 | 85.0 |
| #6 | Bachelor's in Computer Engineering Florida International UniversityMiami, FL · Public | Online | $4,721 | 74% | $135,980 | 84.7 |
| #7 | Master's in Computer Engineering Southern Methodist UniversityDallas, TX · Private nonprofit | Online | $59,500 | 84% | $135,980 | 78.8 |
| #8 | Master's in Computer Engineering University of DelawareNewark, DE · Public | Online | $14,600 | 81% | $135,980 | 78.1 |
| #9 | Bachelor's in Computer Engineering Regent UniversityVirginia Beach, VA · Private nonprofit | Online | $19,950 | 57% | $135,980 | 71.4 |
| #10 | Master's in Computer Engineering Missouri University of Science and TechnologyRolla, MO · Public | Online | $13,656 | 64% | $135,980 | 70.1 |
| #11 | Master's in Computer Engineering University of Michigan-DearbornDearborn, MI · Public | Online | $15,240 | 58% | $135,980 | 68.5 |
| #12 | Bachelor's in Computer Engineering Old Dominion UniversityNorfolk, VA · Public | Online | $7,800 | 46% | $135,980 | 65.1 |
| #13 | Master's in Computer Engineering Tarleton State UniversityStephenville, TX · Public | Online | $4,798 | 48% | $135,980 | 59.2 |
| #14 | Master's in Computer Engineering American National University-PikevillePikeville, KY · Private for-profit | Online | $11,484 | 50% | $135,980 | 55.5 |
| #15 | Bachelor's in Computer Engineering Upper Iowa UniversityFayette, IA · Private nonprofit | Online | $18,450 | 34% | $135,980 | 53.6 |
Showing all 15 ranked programs.
The total cost of a online's degree in Computer Engineering ranges from $48,000 at public universities to over $220,000 at elite private institutions. Financial aid, scholarships, and in-state tuition significantly reduce out-of-pocket costs (US News, IPEDS 2024-24).
With median starting salaries of $155,020, most graduates achieve positive ROI within 3-5 years. Financial aid recipients often pay 30-50% less than sticker price.
Enter your details to estimate your degree return on investment
Leave blank to use average cost for selected program type
+907%
Net gain divided by total investment. ROI above 200% is considered excellent for education investments.
$1,677,254
Your additional lifetime earnings with this degree vs. working without one, minus the total investment.
5 years
Years until your cumulative earnings exceed total investment. Shorter programs often break even faster due to lower opportunity cost.
$133,333
Your starting salary adjusted for local cost of living. This shows real purchasing power compared to a $100K national baseline.
Why does break-even change with program type? Your "total investment" includes both tuition AND opportunity cost (foregone earnings while in school). A 4-year full-time public university (in-state) means 4 years of not earning a salary ($140,000 in opportunity cost). Shorter full-time programs may have higher tuition but lower total investment because you return to the workforce sooner.
How we calculate your degree ROI using real salary data
Tuition plus opportunity cost (earnings you miss while in school)
Direct cost of the degree program
4 years × $35K/year foregone salary while studying full-time
Projected career earnings starting after graduation, with salary growth
What you'd earn working at $35K/year with 2% annual growth
Median salary for this role in your selected location (BLS 2024)
Your investment's compound annual growth rate (similar to stock market returns)
Data sources: BLS OEWS May 2024, IPEDS 2024. Calculations use median salaries, 3% discount rate, and assume salary growth declines from 6% to 2% over career. Individual results will vary. | Powered by Hakia.com
Online computer engineering degrees have evolved since 2020, with top universities now offering programs that match on-campus quality while providing unprecedented flexibility. Data from 134 ABET-accredited online programs shows 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.
Design and test computer hardware components including processors, memory systems, and circuit boards. Work on computer architecture and digital system design.
Integrate complex computer systems and ensure hardware and software components work together effectively. Focus on testing, troubleshooting, and optimization.
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.
Based on 742 programs from IPEDS 2024
We scored 15 online computer engineering programs on the Hakia Score, a 0 to 100 composite drawn from federal IPEDS 2024 and BLS figures, and New York University's Master's in Computer Engineering sits at the top. In-state tuition across the list spans $4,477 to $62,796.
Number of graduates per year in this specific field (CIP code). Larger programs indicate established departments with more resources, course offerings, and career services. Measured from IPEDS Completions data.
Percentage of students completing their degree within 150% of expected time (6 years for bachelor's, 3 years for associate's). Higher rates indicate better student support and program quality. Source: IPEDS Graduation Rates survey.
Admission rate (lower = more selective). More selective institutions have stronger academic environments and more competitive graduates. For open-admission institutions, we use graduation rates as a proxy for quality.
National salary data for computer engineering graduates, factored into institutional scores based on job market strength.
Overall quality using all four factors weighted as shown above. Ideal for students seeking the strongest academic experience.
Same methodology, filtered to schools with fully online or hybrid options (IPEDS Distance Education data). Some schools may have lower graduation rates due to different student demographics.
Ranked primarily by net cost (tuition minus average institutional aid), with quality factors as tiebreakers. Best for cost-conscious students.
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
Co-founder & Editor (B.S. Computer Science, Oregon State • B.A. Psychology, University of Washington)
Taylor combines technical expertise in computer science with a deep understanding of human behavior and learning. His dual background drives Hakia's mission: leveraging technology to build authoritative educational resources that help people make better decisions about their academic and career paths.