Top 3 Computer Engineering Programs in New York 2025
Columbia University in the City of New York
28 Computer Engineering graduates annually, 100% graduation rate
Binghamton University
56 Computer Engineering graduates annually, 87% graduation rate
Stony Brook University
60 Computer Engineering graduates annually, 89% graduation rate
- 1.New York has 35+ accredited computer engineering bachelor's programs across private universities and SUNY system schools (IPEDS 2023)
- 2.Cornell University ranks #1 in New York with 95% graduation rate and exceptional research opportunities in ECE
- 3.SUNY Stony Brook offers top public computer engineering education at $10,423 in-state tuition—1/6 the cost of private alternatives
- 4.New York computer hardware engineers earn median $135,000 annually—well above the national median (BLS New York 2024)
- 5.NYC, Rochester, Syracuse, and Albany provide 15,000+ computer engineering jobs across finance, tech, and manufacturing sectors
Computer Engineering Education Landscape in New York
New York offers diverse computer engineering programs, from world-renowned private universities to affordable SUNY system schools. Whether you're targeting Wall Street fintech, Manhattan startups, or upstate manufacturing, New York provides pathways into every sector of the computer engineering field.
For comparison with programs nationwide, see our national computer engineering rankings. Career-focused students should review our software engineer salary guide and AI/ML engineer compensation trends for New York-specific data. If you're considering alternatives, explore our computer science programs in New York or cybersecurity programs in New York.
New York Computer Engineering Program Rankings 2025
| Rank | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Columbia University in the City of New York | New York, NY | Private | $64,526 | 100% | — | 80.6 |
| 2 | Binghamton University | Vestal, NY | Public | $7,070 | 87% | — | 78.2 |
| 3 | Stony Brook University | Stony Brook, NY | Public | $7,070 | 89% | — | 77.4 |
| 4 | Rochester Institute of Technology | Rochester, NY | Private | $55,784 | 90% | — | 76.2 |
| 5 | New York University | New York, NY | Private | $60,438 | — | — | 73.4 |
| 6 | Syracuse University | Syracuse, NY | Private | $61,310 | 99% | — | 68.4 |
| 7 | University at Buffalo | Buffalo, NY | Public | $7,070 | 95% | — | 67 |
| 8 | CUNY City College | New York, NY | Public | $6,930 | 66% | — | 66 |
| 9 | State University of New York at New Paltz | New Paltz, NY | Public | $7,070 | 99% | — | 60.7 |
| 10 | Manhattan College | Riverdale, NY | Private | $46,100 | — | — | 52 |
| 11 | Union College | Schenectady, NY | Private | $66,105 | — | — | 50.9 |
| 12 | Clarkson University | Potsdam, NY | Private | $56,642 | — | — | 49 |
| 13 | Hofstra University | Hempstead, NY | Private | $54,335 | — | — | 41.2 |
Top 5 Computer Engineering Programs in New York: Side-by-Side
| School | Columbia | Cornell | NYU | Stony Brook | University at Buffalo |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #1 | #2 | #3 | #4 | #5 |
| In-State Tuition | $64,526 | $65,204 | $60,438 | $7,070 | $7,070 |
| Graduation Rate | 100% | 95% | N/A% | 89% | 95% |
| Annual Graduates | 938 | 607 | 694 | 364 | 370 |
| Acceptance Rate | 4% | 8% | 9% | 49% | 69% |
| Type | Private | Private | Private | Public | Public |
| Score | 100.0/100 | 92.6/100 | 82.7/100 | 75.7/100 | 73.4/100 |
Best Bachelor's Degree Programs in Computer Engineering in New York
New York offers 53 bachelor's-level computer engineering programs. The top schools for undergraduate study are Cornell University, Columbia University in the City of New York, Stony Brook University. These programs prepare students for entry-level positions paying approximately $91,497 in the New York market.
A bachelor's in computer engineering typically requires 120-128 credit hours and takes 4 years to complete. For national rankings, see our Best Computer Engineering Bachelor's Programs guide.
Top 3 Computer Engineering Bachelor's Programs in New York
| School | Tuition | Grad Rate | Graduates | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 Cornell | $65,204 | 95% | 607 | 92.6 |
| #2 Columbia | $64,526 | 100% | 450 | 96.8 |
| #3 Stony Brook | $7,070 | 89% | 364 | 75.7 |
Top Computer Engineering Schools for Master's Degrees in New York
For graduate study, New York offers 30 master's-level computer engineering programs. Leading institutions include Columbia University in the City of New York, Cornell University, New York University. A master's degree can boost earning potential by 15-25%, with senior roles in New York reaching $169,923 or more.
Top 3 Computer Engineering Master's Programs in New York
| School | Tuition | Grad Rate | Graduates | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 Columbia | $64,526 | 100% | 938 | 100.0 |
| #2 Cornell | $65,204 | 95% | 454 | 88.6 |
| #3 NYU | $60,438 | N/A% | 694 | 82.7 |
Most Affordable Computer Engineering Colleges in New York
For budget-conscious students, the most affordable computer engineering programs in New York are at CUNY Hunter College ($6,930/year), CUNY Queens College ($6,930/year), CUNY City College ($6,930/year). These programs offer strong ROI given New York's competitive tech salaries.
At CUNY Hunter College, a 4-year degree costs approximately $27,720 in tuition alone. With entry-level salaries around $91,497, graduates can typically recoup their investment within 0.5 years.
Most Affordable Computer Engineering Programs in New York (with ROI)
| School | Annual Tuition | 4-Year Cost | Payback Period | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 CUNY Hunter College | $6,930 | $27,720 | 0.5 years | Public |
| #2 CUNY Queens College | $6,930 | $27,720 | 0.5 years | Public |
| #3 CUNY City College | $6,930 | $27,720 | 0.5 years | Public |
New York University Systems Overview
New York's computer engineering landscape spans multiple university systems, each offering distinct advantages for different student needs and career goals.
The State University of New York (SUNY) system provides affordable, high-quality computer engineering education across multiple campuses. SUNY Stony Brook and Buffalo lead in research and industry partnerships, while smaller campuses like Albany and Binghamton offer more intimate learning environments. SUNY schools typically charge around $10,423 for in-state tuition.
Private institutions like Cornell, Columbia, and NYU offer world-class research opportunities and extensive alumni networks, particularly valuable for students targeting top-tier tech companies or graduate school. These programs typically cost $50,000-$66,000 annually but often provide generous financial aid packages.
Technical institutes like RPI and RIT focus heavily on hands-on engineering education with strong industry connections, particularly in upstate New York's manufacturing and technology sectors. Students interested in other engineering disciplines should also explore our software engineering programs in New York and information technology programs in New York.
Columbia University in the City of New York
New York, NY • Private
Program Highlights
- • Annual Tuition: $64,526 (in-state)
- • Graduation Rate: 100% (IPEDS 2023)
- • Computer Engineering Graduates: 938 annually
- • Acceptance Rate: 4%
- • Ranking Score: 100.0 / 100
Program Strengths
- 100% graduation rate
- 938 computer engineering graduates annually
- Private institution
- Overall score: 100.0 / 100
Why Ranked #1
Ranked #1 based on graduation rate (100%), program size (938 graduates), state salary outcomes ($130,710), and selectivity (4% acceptance rate). Data from IPEDS 2023 and BLS OES 2024.
Cornell University
Ithaca, NY • Private
Program Highlights
- • Annual Tuition: $65,204 (in-state)
- • Graduation Rate: 95% (IPEDS 2023)
- • Computer Engineering Graduates: 607 annually
- • Acceptance Rate: 8%
- • Ranking Score: 92.6 / 100
Program Strengths
- 95% graduation rate
- 607 computer engineering graduates annually
- Private institution
- Overall score: 92.6 / 100
Why Ranked #2
Ranked #2 based on graduation rate (95%), program size (607 graduates), state salary outcomes ($130,710), and selectivity (8% acceptance rate). Data from IPEDS 2023 and BLS OES 2024.
Why Choose This Program
Cornell's Electrical and Computer Engineering program is consistently ranked in the top ten nationally and provides exceptional undergraduate research opportunities with more than half of faculty regularly including undergraduates in their research groups. The program combines world-class research with faculty dedicated to teaching, including IEEE Fellows and National Science CAREER recipients.
Program Accreditations & Designations
Admission Prerequisites
- •chemistry
- •physics
- •4 of mathematics (2 of algebra, 1 of geometry, and 1 of calculus)
Career Outcomes
- Starting Salary: $90,857
- Job Placement: 88% employed or in graduate school within six months of graduation
New York University
New York, NY • Private
Program Highlights
- • Annual Tuition: $60,438 (in-state)
- • Graduation Rate: N/A% (IPEDS 2023)
- • Computer Engineering Graduates: 694 annually
- • Acceptance Rate: 9%
- • Ranking Score: 82.7 / 100
Program Strengths
- N/A% graduation rate
- 694 computer engineering graduates annually
- Private institution
- Overall score: 82.7 / 100
Why Ranked #3
Ranked #3 based on graduation rate (N/A%), program size (694 graduates), state salary outcomes ($130,710), and selectivity (9% acceptance rate). Data from IPEDS 2023 and BLS OES 2024.
Why Choose This Program
NYU Tandon's Computer Engineering program combines traditional disciplines with cutting-edge courses like Cyber Security and Nanoscale Circuit Design, while providing hands-on experience through research centers and industry partnerships. The program emphasizes both technical expertise and communication skills through team projects and humanities coursework.
Program Accreditations & Designations
Admissions
- Min GPA: 3.0
Program Details
- Credits: 128
Available Specializations / Concentrations
Stony Brook University
Stony Brook, NY • Public
Program Highlights
- • Annual Tuition: $7,070 (in-state)
- • Graduation Rate: 89% (IPEDS 2023)
- • Computer Engineering Graduates: 364 annually
- • Acceptance Rate: 49%
- • Ranking Score: 75.7 / 100
Program Strengths
- 89% graduation rate
- 364 computer engineering graduates annually
- Public institution
- Overall score: 75.7 / 100
Why Ranked #4
Ranked #4 based on graduation rate (89%), program size (364 graduates), state salary outcomes ($130,710), and selectivity (49% acceptance rate). Data from IPEDS 2023 and BLS OES 2024.
University at Buffalo
Buffalo, NY • Public
Program Highlights
- • Annual Tuition: $7,070 (in-state)
- • Graduation Rate: 95% (IPEDS 2023)
- • Computer Engineering Graduates: 370 annually
- • Acceptance Rate: 69%
- • Ranking Score: 73.4 / 100
Program Strengths
- 95% graduation rate
- 370 computer engineering graduates annually
- Public institution
- Overall score: 73.4 / 100
Why Ranked #5
Ranked #5 based on graduation rate (95%), program size (370 graduates), state salary outcomes ($130,710), and selectivity (69% acceptance rate). Data from IPEDS 2023 and BLS OES 2024.
Why Choose This Program
Computer engineering at University at Buffalo combines software and hardware expertise, training students to work with both code and circuits for applications in smartphones, robots, driverless vehicles, and medical sensors. The program offers both standard and fast-track admission paths with specific core course requirements.
Admission Prerequisites
- •Calculus 1
- •Calculus 2
- •General Chemistry 1
- •General Physics 1
Admissions
- Min GPA: 2.800
Program Details
- Credits: 92-93 credits
Career Paths
Design and develop software systems for tech companies, financial institutions, and startups across NYC
Hardware Engineer
Develop computer hardware components and systems for manufacturing and tech companies
Build artificial intelligence and machine learning systems for finance, healthcare, and tech industries
Systems Engineer
Design and maintain complex computer systems for enterprises and government organizations
Embedded Systems Engineer
Develop software and hardware for IoT devices, automotive systems, and consumer electronics
Manage software deployment and infrastructure for tech companies and financial institutions
Other Tech Degree Programs in New York
Computer Engineering Programs in Other States
Which Should You Choose?
- Access to Wall Street fintech and NYC tech scene
- World-class research opportunities at Cornell or Columbia
- Affordable SUNY system options with good outcomes
- Diverse internship opportunities across multiple industries
- Strong alumni networks in major tech and finance companies
- Lower cost of living (most other states)
- Warmer climate and outdoor lifestyle
- More affordable private school options
- Closer proximity to West Coast tech hubs
- Less competitive admission requirements
Frequently Asked Questions About New York Computer Engineering Programs
Based on 20 programs from IPEDS 2023, BLS OES May 2024
Computer Engineering degree completions indicating program size, faculty, and resources
6-year completion rate from IPEDS 2023 (4-year institutions weighted higher)
Admission rate from IPEDS 2023 (lower = more selective)
State-specific computer engineering salaries from BLS OES 2024
Related Computer Engineering Resources
Data Sources and Methodology
Graduation rates, tuition, and enrollment data for 2023
Occupational employment and wage statistics for New York state
Engineering program accreditation status verification
Federal education data and program information
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.