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Key Takeaways
Best computer engineering degree programs: U of Massachusetts-Amherst, Massachusetts Institute o..., Boston
Ranked by graduation rates, program outcomes, and institutional quality
Tuition ranges from $576 to $66,650/year
Bunker Hill Community Col... offers the most affordable option at $576/yr
Computer Engineering degree programs available: 10 associate's, 17 master's, 11 doctoral in Massachusetts
From community college pathways to advanced research degrees
11 online computer engineering degree programs in Massachusetts
Flexible scheduling for working professionals
Massachusetts community college transfer can save 40-60% on total degree costs
10 associate's programs provide transfer pathways to bachelor's degrees
Education Commission of the States
Major employers: Amazon, Google, HubSpot, Wayfair
Tech hubs in Boston and Cambridge
Hakia Research 2026
Computer Engineering degree programs near 75+ cities across Massachusetts
Search by city to find programs within 200 miles of your location
Updated July 13, 2026
How we ranked Massachusetts Computer Engineering programs
We rank 74 accredited computer engineering programs in Massachusetts using IPEDS 2024 institutional data, BLS OEWS 2024 state salary data, and College Scorecard outcomes. A 4-factor weighted composite is normalized to a 0–100 score. Schools cannot pay for placement; rankings are produced algorithmically.
Are Computer Engineering Degree Programs in Massachusetts Worth It?
Source: BLS OEWS May 2024
Computer Engineering Degree Rankings in Massachusetts
Compare the top-ranked Computer Engineering programs in Massachusetts by degree level. Tuition, graduation rate, and Hakia Score for every accredited program.
Best Bachelor's Computer Engineering Programs in Massachusetts
Program Landscape
Massachusetts ranks among the nation's top destinations for computer engineering education, with 36 accredited bachelor's degree programs across 7 public and 29 private institutions. The highest-ranked programs are U of Massachusetts-Amherst, Massachusetts Institute o..., Boston, recognized for academic excellence, research opportunities, and strong industry connections.
Career Outcomes
Graduates from Massachusetts computer engineering programs earn a median salary of $109,344, 11% above the national average. The state's robust technology sector, anchored by the Boston, Cambridge, Worcester metropolitan areas, provides abundant internship and employment opportunities with companies including Amazon, Google, HubSpot.
Costs & Value
Tuition ranges from $910 to $66,650 annually, with an average of $43,875/yr. Top programs maintain graduation rates above 92%, with the highest reaching 99%. Many programs hold ABET accreditation, the gold standard for computing education, ensuring curriculum meets rigorous industry standards.
Curriculum & Specializations
Students can choose from specializations including software engineering, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, data science, and systems architecture. Strong industry partnerships provide access to co-op programs, capstone projects with real companies, and direct recruiting pipelines to Massachusetts's leading technology employers. For students seeking computer engineering degrees in Massachusetts, these top-ranked computer engineering schools offer the strongest combination of academic rigor and career preparation.
University of Massachusetts-Amherst
Show all 10 ranked programs
| Rank | School | Location | Type | Tuition | Grad Rate | Hakia Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #6 | Merrimack College | North Andover, MA | Private nonprofit | $49,352 | 70% | 72.9 |
| #7 | Wentworth Institute of Technology | Boston, MA | Private nonprofit | $41,984 | 68% | 67.9 |
| #8 | Western New England University | Springfield, MA | Private nonprofit | $44,680 | 64% | 67.0 |
| #9 | University of Massachusetts-Boston | Boston, MA | Public | $15,278 | 49% | 63.9 |
| #10 | University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth | North Dartmouth, MA | Public | $14,897 | 52% | 61.7 |
Best Master's Computer Engineering Programs in Massachusetts
Program Landscape
Massachusetts offers 17 master's degree programs in computer engineering, designed for professionals seeking to advance into senior engineering, technical leadership, and specialized roles. The top programs, Northeastern, U of Massachusetts-Amherst, Massachusetts Institute o..., combine advanced technical training with research opportunities and leadership development.
Career Outcomes
Master's graduates in Massachusetts earn a median salary of $128,640, approximately 20-30% higher than bachelor's degree holders. The concentration of technology companies in Boston, Cambridge, Worcester creates strong demand for graduate-level talent, with Amazon, Google, HubSpot actively recruiting from these programs.
Costs & Value
Program formats include traditional full-time study (typically 2 years), part-time options for working professionals (2-3 years), and accelerated tracks. Tuition averages $39,908/yr, with many employers offering tuition reimbursement for graduate education. Some programs offer thesis and non-thesis tracks, allowing students to focus on research or professional development based on their career goals.
Curriculum & Specializations
Curriculum covers advanced topics including machine learning, distributed systems, software architecture, and technical management. Many programs include practicum experiences, industry capstone projects, or consulting engagements that provide real-world application of advanced concepts. Among Massachusetts's computer engineering schools at the graduate level, these programs stand out for both academic quality and career outcomes.
Wentworth Institute of Technology
Show all 6 ranked programs
| Rank | School | Location | Type | Tuition | Grad Rate | Hakia Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #6 | University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth | North Dartmouth, MA | Public | $14,897 | 52% | 58.9 |
Best Doctoral Computer Engineering Programs in Massachusetts
Program Landscape
Massachusetts is home to 11 doctoral programs in computer engineering, preparing students for research positions, faculty appointments, and executive technical roles. Leading programs at Massachusetts Institute o..., U of Massachusetts-Amherst, Boston are recognized for cutting-edge research, strong faculty publications, and competitive funding packages.
Career Outcomes
Doctoral graduates command premium salaries, with Massachusetts PhD holders earning a median of $160,800, reflecting the advanced expertise required for research and executive positions. The Boston, Cambridge, Worcester region's research universities and corporate R&D centers provide extensive collaboration opportunities with industry leaders like Amazon, Google, HubSpot.
Costs & Value
PhD programs typically require 4-6 years of full-time study, including coursework, qualifying examinations, and original dissertation research. Many programs offer full funding through teaching or research assistantships, covering tuition and providing stipends of $25,000–$40,000 annually.
Curriculum & Specializations
Research strengths across Massachusetts programs include artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, human-computer interaction, systems, and theoretical computer science. For aspiring researchers pursuing computer engineering degrees in Massachusetts, graduates go on to careers as university faculty, industry research scientists, or technical executives, contributing to advances in technology that impact millions of users worldwide.
University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth
Computer Engineering Degree Costs & Tuition in Massachusetts
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average in-state tuition | $35,346/year |
| Average out-of-state tuition | $88,365/year |
| Community college tuition | $8,837/year |
| 4-year savings for residents | $212,076 |
| 2+2 transfer pathway savings | $53,018 |
Source: IPEDS 2024
Financial Aid & Scholarships for Computer Engineering Students in Massachusetts
State Aid Programs
Massachusetts offers substantial state-funded financial aid for engineering students. The flagship MASSGrant program provides need-based assistance to Massachusetts residents attending in-state colleges (OSFA MASSGrant). MASSGrant Plus covers remaining tuition and mandatory fees for Pell-eligible students at public institutions. Starting Fall 2025, students from households earning $75,000 or less receive fully covered tuition and fees at all UMass campuses. The Massachusetts High Demand Scholarship Program specifically supports STEM students (High Demand Scholarship):
- Full-time at universities: Up to $10,000/year
- Part-time at universities: Up to $5,000/year
- Community colleges: Up to $5,000/year full-time
- Eligibility: 3.0+ GPA, enrollment in approved STEM program, Massachusetts resident
- 2025-2026 Application: Opens June 2, 2025. Closes July 18, 2025 Additional financial aid options:
- Federal Pell Grant: Up to $7,395 for 2024-25
- Massachusetts No Interest Loan (NIL): Need-based loan with 0% interest while enrolled
- Institutional scholarships: MIT meets 100% of demonstrated financial need, families earning under $75,000 pay nothing
- Engineering-specific scholarships: NSPE, IEEE, SWE, and corporate sponsors offer computing scholarships FAFSA priority deadline is May 1 for Massachusetts state aid. Students ineligible for FAFSA can use the Massachusetts Application for State Financial Aid (MASFA). Apply early, many institutional scholarships have November-December deadlines.
Computer Engineering Degree ROI Calculator, Massachusetts
Use our interactive ROI calculator to estimate your return on investment for a computer engineering degree in Massachusetts. Enter your expected tuition costs, financial aid, and career goals to see projected payback periods and lifetime earnings. The calculator uses current salary data from BLS and tuition data from IPEDS to provide accurate estimates.
Computer Engineering Degree ROI Calculator
Estimate your return on investment for a computer engineering degree
Leave blank to use average cost for selected program type
+1064%
Net gain divided by total investment. ROI above 200% is considered excellent for education investments.
$1,967,896
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.
$100,000
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.
Detailed Breakdown
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
Computer Engineering Salaries by Metro Area
Median annual salary in Massachusetts metro areas
View data table
| Category | Value |
|---|---|
| Boston | $142K |
| Cambridge | $135K |
| Worcester | $129K |
Source: BLS OEWS May 2024
Hakia.com
Top Employers Hiring Computer Engineering Graduates in Massachusetts
Find computer engineering jobs in Massachusetts. These major employers across Massachusetts metro areas are actively hiring computer engineering degree holders. Click employer names to view current job openings.
Computer Engineering Jobs in Boston/Cambridge
MABoston/Cambridge is a biotech and AI research hub, anchored by MIT, Harvard, and major tech company R&D centers.
Nearby cities: Cambridge, Somerville, Waltham, Burlington, Quincy
Transfer Pathways for Computer Engineering Degrees in Massachusetts
State Transfer System
MassTransfer provides guaranteed pathways from community colleges to public universities (MassTransfer). Engineering students can complete foundational coursework, calculus, physics, chemistry, programming, and circuits, at community college prices before transferring. The MassTransfer Block is a 34-credit general education foundation that satisfies all gen ed requirements at any public four-year institution. Students completing the block with 2.5+ GPA receive guaranteed admission to state universities and UMass campuses. Key MassTransfer benefits for engineering students:
- A2B Mapped Pathways: Course-by-course articulation for engineering majors ensures specific community college courses count toward bachelor's degree requirements
- MassTransfer Tuition Credit: Graduates with 3.0+ GPA receive $1,714/year ($857/semester) tuition credit at UMass campuses (UMass Admissions)
- Commonwealth Commitment: Full-time students with 3.0+ GPA receive frozen tuition rates plus 10% rebates
- Credit transfer: UMass accepts up to 75 transfer credits, with MassTransfer students earning at least 60 credits Strategic transfer planning for computer engineering: 1. Complete calculus sequence (through differential equations), physics with calculus, and general chemistry 2. Take introductory programming (Python or C/C++) and digital logic courses 3. Maintain 3.0+ GPA for tuition benefits and competitive admission to engineering programs 4. A grade of C or higher is required for courses to count toward major requirements (UMass CICS) 5. Complete Linear Algebra before transferring for smoother curriculum progression Students completing two years at community college save $20,000-$40,000 on total degree costs while maintaining clear pathways to engineering programs.
Why Pursue a Computer Engineering Degree in Massachusetts?
Industry & Workforce
Massachusetts hosts the world's premier computer engineering programs, led by MIT's legendary Electrical Engineering and Computer Science (EECS) department, ranked #1 globally for decades. The state's 12 ABET-accredited engineering programs include computer engineering tracks at MIT, Northeastern University, Boston University, UMass Amherst, UMass Lowell, and Worcester Polytechnic Institute (ABET Program Search). MIT's Fall 2024 curriculum restructuring introduced the new 6-5 Electrical Engineering with Computing degree, combining hardware fundamentals with modern computational subjects like linear algebra and optimization (MIT EECS Curriculum). The salary premium for computer hardware engineers is exceptional. According to the BLS, computer hardware engineers earn a median salary of $155,020 nationally, with Massachusetts professionals earning approximately $124,497, among the top five states (BLS OOH 2024). However, when combined with Massachusetts's relatively flat 5% state income tax and the concentration of elite employers, total compensation often exceeds other regions. Entry-level positions start around $76,707, while experienced engineers command $150,000-$200,000+ at major tech companies and defense contractors. Employment is projected to grow 7% from 2024-2034, faster than average for all occupations. Massachusetts offers unique advantages for computer engineering students. The Route 128 corridor. America's original "Technology Highway", hosts defense giants like Raytheon (RTX), Draper Laboratory, and General Dynamics developing advanced embedded systems, aerospace computing, and defense electronics. Kendall Square in Cambridge houses 150+ technology companies including Google, Microsoft, and hundreds of AI/robotics startups requiring hardware-software integration expertise. The biotech corridor (Moderna, Biogen, Vertex) increasingly needs engineers for medical devices and computational biology hardware. Compare programs in California, Texas, or explore our national computer engineering rankings.
Computer Engineering Job Growth in Massachusetts
Source: BLS Occupational Outlook
Computer Engineering Job Market & Salary Data in Massachusetts
Employment Outlook
Massachusetts computer engineers enjoy strong demand across multiple sectors. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 7% growth for computer hardware engineers through 2034, with approximately 4,700 openings annually nationwide (BLS OOH 2024). In Massachusetts, the concentration of defense contractors, semiconductor companies, and tech giants creates exceptional opportunities. RTX Corporation (formerly Raytheon Technologies), employing 195,000 workers worldwide with significant Massachusetts presence, develops radar systems, missile guidance, and cybersecurity solutions requiring hardware engineers (RTX Careers). Salary ranges reflect experience and specialization:
- Entry-level (0-1 year): $76,707 average total compensation
- Early career (1-4 years): $91,155 average
- Mid-career (5-9 years): $120,000-$150,000
- Senior/Principal Engineer: $150,000-$200,000+
- Top 10% nationally: $223,820+ Cambridge/Kendall Square commands the highest salaries at $160,000-$200,000 for experienced engineers, while Route 128 corridor positions offer $130,000-$160,000 with defense contractor benefits including clearance bonuses and pension plans. High-demand specializations in Massachusetts include: embedded systems and firmware development (aerospace and medical devices), FPGA/ASIC design (Analog Devices, Intel subsidiaries), RF and microwave engineering (defense applications), robotics and autonomous systems (iRobot, Boston Dynamics alumni startups), and IoT/edge computing hardware. The state's semiconductor legacy, while manufacturing has shifted overseas, continues through design centers for companies like Intel, Analog Devices, and Microchip Technology. For related fields, explore electrical engineering programs, AI/ML specializations, or cybersecurity programs.
Entry-Level (0-2 yrs)
New graduates and career changers
Senior (8+ yrs)
Technical leads and architects
Online vs On-Campus Computer Engineering Programs in Massachusetts
Online Programs
11 available in Massachusetts
On-Campus Programs
Traditional classroom experience
Compare Computer Engineering Programs in Other States
- Total Programs
- 13
- Median Tuition
- $15,500
- Total Programs
- 13
- Median Tuition
- $45,100
- Total Programs
- 129
- Median Tuition
- $7,100
- Total Programs
- 25
- Median Tuition
- $44,400
- Total Programs
- 12
- Median Tuition
- $27,000
- Total Programs
- 187
- Median Tuition
- $5,700
- Total Programs
- 49
- Median Tuition
- $7,000
- Total Programs
- 98
- Median Tuition
- $8,000
Computer Engineering Degree Programs in Massachusetts: FAQ
What are the best computer engineering degree programs in Massachusetts?
How much do computer engineering degree programs cost in Massachusetts?
What salary can computer engineering degree graduates earn in Massachusetts?
Are there online computer engineering degree programs in Massachusetts?
What companies hire computer engineering degree graduates in Massachusetts?
Is a computer engineering degree program worth it in Massachusetts?
How long do computer engineering degree programs take in Massachusetts?
What financial aid is available for computer engineering degree students in Massachusetts?
Data Sources
Institutional characteristics, completions, graduation rates
Massachusetts salary and employment data
Program details and admissions information
Last Updated: June 26, 2026. Rankings based on IPEDS 2024 data. Salary data from BLS OEWS May 2024.
Taylor Rupe
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.