Best Value Computer Engineering Degree Programs 2026

Best Computer Engineering Programs - Top 10 Best Value, Complete Program Data

1. #1. University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign — Computer Engineering

   Hakia ranks University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign's computer engineering program #1. Delivery: on-campus. Location: Champaign, IL | Type: Public | Tuition: $14,768/year | Graduation Rate: 90% | Score: 86.0

   What makes University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign stand out: 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.

   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: 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 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: MS in Electrical and Computer Engineering (2 years); Master of Engineering (M.Eng.) (2-3 semesters); Master of Engineering Online (M.Eng.) (Up to 5 years); PhD in Electrical and Computer Engineering (4-6 years)

   Research Labs: Coordinated Science Laboratory - Premier multidisciplinary research laboratory focusing on information technology at the crossroads of circuits, computing, control, and communications; Holonyak Micro & Nanotechnology Laboratory - One of the country's largest and most sophisticated university facilities for photonics, microelectronics, biotechnology, and nanotechnology research; Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology - Advanced science and technology research with cross-departmental faculty appointments

   Industry Partners: Intel Corporation, Meta, Google, Boeing, Cadence

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

   Admissions: GPA: 3.0 minimum, but applicants with GPAs below 3.5 are rarely admitted due to space limitations

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

   Hakia ranks University of California-Irvine's computer engineering program #2. Delivery: on-campus. Location: Irvine, CA | Type: Public | Tuition: $11,834/year | Graduation Rate: 96% | Score: 85.7

   What makes University of California-Irvine stand out: 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.

   Hakia Insight: University of California-Irvine's industry network, including Northrop Grumman and Boeing, provides students with internship and hiring pathways.

   Program Overview: UC Irvine's Computer Engineering program within the Henry Samueli School of Engineering offers both undergraduate and graduate pathways that blend hardware and software expertise. The undergraduate B.S. requires 187 units covering mathematics, physics, core engineering courses, and specialized computer engineering topics including digital systems, computer architecture, VLSI design, and embedded systems. The graduate M.S. program provides two tracks: a thesis option requiring 12 courses plus original research, and a comprehensive examination option focusing on advanced coursework. Students can pursue part-time study with a four-year completion limit. The program emphasizes practical application through required senior design projects and laboratory experiences, while faculty research spans parallel computing, embedded systems, computer networks, security, and low-power design.

   Degree Programs: B.S. in Computer Engineering (4 years); M.S. in Computer Engineering - Thesis Option (2 years); M.S. in Computer Engineering - Comprehensive Exam Option (2 years)

   Research Labs: Center for Embedded Computer Systems (CECS) - Leading-edge interdisciplinary research in embedded systems, automotive, medical and communications applications; Integrated Nanosystems Research Facility (INRF) - cleanroom for micro- and nanosystems research and development; Computational Vision Lab - Information processing capabilities of biological visual systems and computational vision systems

   Industry Partners: Northrop Grumman, Boeing, Applied Medical

   Career Outcomes:

   Admissions:

3. #3. Ohio State University-Main Campus — Computer Engineering

   Hakia ranks Ohio State University-Main Campus's computer engineering program #3. Delivery: on-campus. Location: Columbus, OH | Type: Public | Tuition: $11,826/year | Graduation Rate: 90% | Score: 85.0

   What makes Ohio State University-Main Campus stand out: 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.

   Hakia Insight: Ohio State University-Main Campus's industry network, including Honda and Ohio Manufacturing Institute, provides students with internship and hiring pathways.

   Program Overview: Ohio State University's Computer Engineering program operates through the Department of Computer Science and Engineering (CSE) within the College of Engineering, offering a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science and Engineering (BS CSE) that uniquely bridges hardware and software disciplines. The program has been delivering excellence for over 50 years, housed in the 395 Dreese Laboratories complex on Neil Avenue. Students can pursue both undergraduate and graduate degrees, with the department offering MS and PhD programs in Computer Science and Engineering. The program is distinguished by its comprehensive research infrastructure, including specialized laboratories like the ElectroScience Laboratory, Institute for Cybersecurity and Digital Trust (ICDT), and the High Performance Computing facilities. The department maintains strong industry connections and provides extensive hands-on experience through capstone design projects and undergraduate research opportunities.

   Degree Programs: BS Computer Science and Engineering (4 years); MS Computer Science and Engineering (2 years); PhD Computer Science and Engineering (4-6 years)

   Research Labs: Research Laboratories, Centers, and Institutes - Various ECE research areas; ElectroScience Laboratory - Electromagnetics and wireless systems; Center for High Performance Power Electronics - Power electronics and energy systems; Institute for Cybersecurity and Digital Trust - Cybersecurity and digital systems; Circuit Laboratory for Advanced Sensors and Systems - Advanced sensor development; Electronic Materials and Device Laboratory - Device fabrication and characterization; Nanoelectronics and Optoelectronics Laboratory - Nanoscale electronics; Power Management Research Laboratory - Power system management; Semiconductor Epitaxy and Analysis Laboratory - Semiconductor materials; Autonomous Systems Perception, Intelligence, and Navigation Laboratory - Autonomous systems; Control and Intelligent Transportation Research Lab - Transportation systems; Hyperspectral Engine Lab for Integrated Optical Systems Laboratory - Optical systems; Krishna Infrared Detector Laboratory - Infrared detection systems

   Industry Partners: Honda, Ohio Manufacturing Institute

   Career Outcomes: | Common Roles: Computer Engineer, Electrical Engineer, Hardware Designer, Software Engineer

   Notable Faculty: Dr. Joel Johnson (Electromagnetics); Dr. Paul Berger (Nanotechnology and Devices); Dr. Len Brillson (Solid State Electronics and Photonics); Dr. Zak Kassas (Systems and Navigation); Dr. Tanya Berger-Wolf (Computer Networks and Communication)

   Admissions:

   Accreditations: ABET

4. #4. University of California-Merced — Computer Engineering

   Hakia ranks University of California-Merced's computer engineering program #4. Delivery: on-campus. Location: Merced, CA | Type: Public | Tuition: $11,834/year | Graduation Rate: 95% | Score: 84.2

   What makes University of California-Merced stand out: 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.

   Hakia Insight: University of California-Merced's direct partnerships with Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory and IBM give students a competitive edge through industry-embedded projects and recruiting pipelines.

   Program Overview: UC Merced's Computer Science and Engineering program represents the advanced approach of America's youngest UC campus, founded in 2005. Students work directly with faculty in an intimate setting, engaging in research from robotics and artificial intelligence to cybersecurity and big data systems. The program combines rigorous theoretical foundations with hands-on experience using the most modern technologies available, preparing graduates for the rapid evolution of the tech industry. The undergraduate Computer Science and Engineering B.S. degree emphasizes both practical exposure and theoretical depth, while the graduate Electrical Engineering and Computer Science programs (M.S. and Ph.D.) offer individualized, research-intensive pathways. With connections to Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory and CITRIS (Center for Information Technology Research in the Interest of Society), students gain access to specialized computational equipment and collaborative opportunities that extend far beyond traditional classroom learning.

   Degree Programs: Computer Science and Engineering B.S. (4 years); Electrical Engineering and Computer Science M.S. (2 years typical); Electrical Engineering and Computer Science Ph.D. (4-6 years typical)

   Research Labs: Big Data Systems and Analytics Lab - Scientific data processing, multi-dimensional array management, infrastructure for big data analytics; Computer Networks Research Group - Solar infrastructure measurement, search and rescue operations in infrastructure-deficient environments; Robotics Laboratory - Cooperative multi-robot systems, map merging, pursuit-evasion games; Human-Computer Interaction Lab - Virtual reality, applied artificial intelligence, effective computer system interaction

   Industry Partners: Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, CITRIS (Center for Information Technology Research in the Interest of Society), IBM, Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA)

   Career Outcomes:

   Admissions:

   Accreditations: ABET accredited (Engineering Accreditation Commission)

5. #5. University of California-San Diego — Computer Engineering

   Hakia ranks University of California-San Diego's computer engineering program #5. Delivery: on-campus. Location: La Jolla, CA | Type: Public | Tuition: $11,834/year | Graduation Rate: 81% | Score: 80.9

   What makes University of California-San Diego stand out: 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 advanced research centers since 2014.

   Hakia Insight: University of California-San Diego's Contextual Robotics Institute and Information Theory and Applications Center position students at the forefront of computer engineering research.

   Program Overview: UC San Diego's Computer Science and Engineering department offers Master of Science degrees in both Computer Science and Computer Engineering, designed with remarkable flexibility to serve diverse post-graduate needs. Students can choose from three distinct pathways: a Thesis Plan for research-focused students, a Comprehensive Standard Plan, or a Comprehensive Interdisciplinary Plan that integrates coursework from other departments. The program accommodates both full-time students and working professionals through part-time enrollment options, with a structured curriculum emphasizing fundamental concepts, breadth across multiple domains, and deep specialization in chosen areas. The department's approach ensures students gain exposure to fundamental concepts and tools, advanced perspectives in areas outside their specialization through the Breadth requirement covering Theory, Systems, and Applications, and deep expertise in their chosen research area through the Depth requirement. The program maintains rigorous academic standards with a minimum 3.0 GPA requirement and specific grade requirements for core coursework. Students benefit from the department's integration within the broader Jacobs School of Engineering, which houses numerous research centers launched since 2014, including specialized institutes focused on machine intelligence, microbiome innovation, and contextual robotics.

   Degree Programs: MS in Computer Science and Engineering - Thesis Plan (Minimum 3 quarters); MS in Computer Science and Engineering - Comprehensive Standard Plan (Minimum 3 quarters); MS in Computer Science and Engineering - Comprehensive Interdisciplinary Plan (Minimum 3 quarters); MS in Computer Science and Engineering (Computer Engineering) (Minimum 3 quarters)

   Research Labs: Center for Machine-Intelligence, Computing and Security - AI security and computational intelligence research; Center for Networked Systems - Network architecture and distributed systems; Center for Visual Computing - Computer vision and graphics research; Contextual Robotics Institute - AI-driven robotics and autonomous systems; Information Theory and Applications Center - Theoretical foundations of information processing

   Career Outcomes: | Common Roles: embedded systems, IoT development

   Admissions: GPA: 3.0 minimum overall GPA required for good standing

6. #6. Purdue University-Main Campus — Computer Engineering

   Hakia ranks Purdue University-Main Campus's computer engineering program #6. Delivery: on-campus. Location: West Lafayette, IN | Type: Public | Tuition: $9,718/year | Graduation Rate: 83% | Score: 79.7

   What makes Purdue University-Main Campus stand out: 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.

   Hakia Insight: Purdue University-Main Campus graduates earn $6,500,075,000, driven by the program's industry connections and hands-on computer engineering curriculum.

   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 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: BS Computer Engineering (4 years); MSECE Professional Master's (2 years); MSECE Online (24 months); MSECE Thesis Track (2 years); 4+1 BS/MSECE (5 years total); PhD in Electrical and Computer Engineering (4-6 years)

   Research Labs: Birck Nanotechnology Center - Advanced nanotechnology research and fabrication; Ray W. Herrick Laboratories - Advanced engineering research; Maurice J. Zucrow Laboratories - Aerospace and propulsion research

   Industry Partners: Amazon, Apple, Intel Corporation, General Motors, Texas Instruments Inc., JPMorgan Chase & Co., John Deere

   Career Outcomes: | Top Employers: Intel, Microsoft, Google, Qualcomm, Texas Instruments, Analog Devices, Amazon, Apple | Common Roles: Hardware Design Engineer, VLSI Design Engineer, Embedded Systems Engineer, Systems Architect

   Notable Faculty: David Inderrieden (Analog and mixed-signal circuit design); Mireille Boutin (Digital signal processing and embedded systems)

   Admissions:

   Accreditations: ABET accredited

7. #7. Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University — Computer Engineering

   Hakia ranks Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University's computer engineering program #7. Delivery: on-campus. Location: Blacksburg, VA | Type: Public | Tuition: $12,698/year | Graduation Rate: 95% | Score: 78.5

   What makes Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University stand out: The program emphasizes industry-related hands-on experiences and opportunities for undergraduate research and co-op/internships, building on a strong foundation in mathematics, physical science, and computer programming.

   Program Overview: The Bradley Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering administers the Computer Engineering (CPE) degree program. CPE provides the critical technology base for a broad range of industries, including bioinformatics, computing hardware, computer networking and security, embedded computing, telecommunications, and video/image processing.

   Degree Programs: Bachelor of Science; Master of Engineering; Master of Science; Doctor of Philosophy

   Research Labs: Information Technology Security Lab - cybersecurity research; Micro-/Nanofabrication Cleanroom - micro and nanofabrication

   Career Outcomes:

   Notable Faculty: Professor Rafael Davalos (biomedical applications)

   Admissions:

   Accreditations: ABET

8. #8. San Diego State University — Computer Engineering

   Hakia ranks San Diego State University's computer engineering program #8. Delivery: on-campus. Location: San Diego, CA | Type: Public | Tuition: $5,742/year | Graduation Rate: 83% | Score: 75.8

   Hakia Insight: San Diego State University's Metabolism of Cities Living Lab (MOC-LLAB) and Data-informed Construction Engineering (DiCE) research lab position students at the forefront of computer engineering research.

   Program Overview: San Diego State University's Master of Science in Big Data Analytics is a transdisciplinary 30-unit graduate program that combines technology, business, engineering, science, and social science. The program features a dual-core approach with required courses in Big Data Science and Analytics Platforms, Python Scripting, Enterprise Data Management, and Machine Learning Engineering. Students can choose from extensive electives spanning computer science, geography, linguistics, business analytics,

   Degree Programs: Bachelors in Computer Engineering

   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

   Career Outcomes:

   Admissions: GPA: 3.00

9. #9. Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus — Computer Engineering

   Hakia ranks Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus's computer engineering program #9. Delivery: on-campus. Location: Atlanta, GA | Type: Public | Tuition: $10,258/year | Graduation Rate: 76% | Score: 74.6

   What makes Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus stand out: The program offers the ability to customize studies with curriculum threads, with students selecting two threads from computer engineering foundation, computer science, or electrical engineering areas, with at least one being from the computer engineering foundation threads.

   Program Overview: The Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering degree program covers a broad set of areas, ranging from design of microprocessors to cloud computing and everything in between. Students learn about hardware, software, and computing principles in the context of important devices and systems such as smartphones, the Internet of Things, streaming systems, and large-scale computing and storage systems for the cloud.

   Degree Programs: BS

   Industry Partners: Apple

   Career Outcomes:

   Admissions:

10. #10. University of California-Davis — Computer Engineering

    Hakia ranks University of California-Davis's computer engineering program #10. Delivery: on-campus. Location: Davis, CA | Type: Public | Tuition: $11,834/year | Graduation Rate: 91% | Score: 74.5

    What makes University of California-Davis stand out: UC Davis computer engineering provides fundamental skills for long-term employability in a rapidly changing field while offering hands-on work with advanced technologies in electronics, digital systems, and circuits fabrication.

    Hakia Insight: Near Silicon Valley for innovation trends

    Program Overview: Computer engineering involves the design and development of systems based on computers and complex digital logic devices. Computer engineers focus on how computer systems work and also how they integrate with other systems, such as those in healthcare, transportation, communications and beyond.

    Degree Programs: BS; MS

    Career Outcomes: | Top Employers: Intel, HP, Amazon, Facebook, Google, Oracle, Microsoft, Apple | Common Roles: Computer Design Engineer, Software Engineer/Test Engineer, Verification Engineer, Quality Assurance Engineer, Digital Design Engineer, Mixed-Signal Design Engineer, Electrical Engineer

    Admissions:

    Accreditations: ABET