Best Associate's Computer Engineering Degree Programs in Vermont
Vermont State University — Randolph, VT
Key Distinction: Vermont State's computer engineering program prioritizes project-based, applied learning with embedded systems and hardware focus, paired with direct industry partnerships in Vermont's manufacturing and tech sectors.
Hakia Insight: Vermont State's Renewable Energy Lab and Weather Center aren't just facilities—they're active platforms where embedded systems coursework directly supports real environmental monitoring projects, turning the associate's degree into applied research experience.
At the associate's level, vermont State University's computer engineering program emphasizes practical, hands-on learning with direct application to real-world problems. The curriculum integrates embedded systems design, digital signal processing, and hardware-software co-design throughout the four-year sequence, allowing students to work with modern microcontroller platforms and FPGA development tools from their first year. What distinguishes this program is its project-driven approach: students tackle capstone projects in partnership with regional manufacturers and tech companies, often addressing actual industry challenges in automation, IoT systems, and renewable energy applications. The faculty bring significant industry experience—many have worked in semiconductor design and systems integration—and maintain active connections with Vermont's growing tech sector. Graduates emerge with portfolios of completed projects rather than theoretical knowledge alone, which has contributed to strong placement outcomes in hardware engineering, firmware development, and systems design roles. The program benefits from Vermont's proximity to IBM's Global Technology Services operations and a growing cluster of advanced manufacturing companies, creating internship and employment pipelines that many students leverage before graduation.
Programs Offered
- Associate of Science in Computer Engineering — 2 years, on-campus
- Associate of Applied Science in Computer Engineering — 2 years, online
Research Labs and Institutes
- Renewable Energy Lab
- Weather Center
- TV Studio Workstations
- Geographic Information Systems Lab
- Solar Training Roof
Notable Faculty
- Andrew Vermilyea — Environmental Science and Chemistry
Location Advantages: Proximity to IBM Global Technology ServicesAccess to Vermont's advanced manufacturing cluster
Landmark College — Putney, VT
Key Distinction: Landmark's computer engineering program is uniquely architected for neurodivergent learners, combining rigorous technical curriculum with structured, multisensory pedagogy and built-in accessibility support.
Hakia Insight: Landmark's neurodiversity-affirming pedagogy isn't a support service bolted onto standard curriculum; it's architecturally integrated into how the technical content is taught, making it the only computer engineering program designed from the ground up for how neurodivergent minds actually process complex systems.
At the associate's level, landmark College's computer engineering program is built around a neurodiversity-affirming pedagogical model that fundamentally reshapes how students learn technical content. Rather than a one-size-fits-all curriculum, the program emphasizes multisensory learning, explicit skill scaffolding, and individualized accommodation—making it exceptional for students with learning differences, ADHD, dyslexia, or autism spectrum profiles who thrive with structured, multidisciplinary approaches to problem-solving. The curriculum integrates hands-on lab work early and often, with particular strength in embedded systems and robotics projects that allow students to see immediate, tangible applications of circuit design and microcontroller programming. Faculty prioritize mentorship and frequent feedback loops, recognizing that engineering mastery compounds when learners receive granular guidance on debugging, documentation, and design iteration. Students benefit from Landmark's close connections to New England-based tech employers and accessibility-forward companies that actively recruit graduates who bring both technical competence and deep experience navigating adaptive technologies. For prospective engineers who have felt unsupported in traditional STEM environments, this program offers both rigorous technical training and an institutional culture designed to unlock their full potential.
Programs Offered
- Associate of Science in Computer Engineering — 2 years, on-campus
- Associate of Applied Science in Computer Engineering — 2 years, online
Accreditations and Certifications
Location Advantages: Proximity to New England tech sector and accessibility-forward employers
Best Bachelor's Computer Engineering Degree Programs in Vermont
University of Vermont — Burlington, VT
Key Distinction: interdisciplinary engineering specialty focus. advisor-planned integrated course series tailored to student interests
Hakia Insight: UVM's advisor-planned integrated course series in clean energy and smart-grid development lets computer engineering students graduate with domain expertise in grid modernization—a specialization most bachelor's programs don't offer until industry work.
The Bachelor of Science in Engineering at UVM is a non-departmental degree designed for students seeking a broad engineering science foundation with interdisciplinary flexibility. The program requires 128 credit hours with a minimum of 7 technical electives (18+ credits must be engineering courses). Students must declare a concentration before completing their first four semesters, working with advisors to plan an integrated course series tailored to their interests. The curriculum emphasizes foundational engineering knowledge while allowing pursuit of interdisciplinary applications in humanities, arts, and sciences. Students can focus on emerging fields like bioengineering, computer engineering, power engineering, or geological engineering that may not have dedicated departmental programs.
Programs Offered
- Bachelor of Science in Engineering — 4 years, on-campus. BSE
Research Labs and Institutes
- Vermont Advanced Computing Core (VACC)
- Center for Computer Security and Privacy
- Vermont Complex Systems Center
- Fabrication Lab (FABLAB)
- Prototype Lab
- Device Characterization Teaching Lab
Industry Partners
Admissions
GPA Requirement: 3.0 minimum. Application Deadline: Rolling admissions - Priority deadline January 1st (Fall), October 1st (Spring).
Requirements: minimum of 7 courses in Technical Electives at 100 level or above, minimum of 18 credits of Technical Electives must be engineering courses, declare a concentration before completing first four semesters
Accreditations and Certifications
Location Advantages: Proximity to IBM and regional tech companiesAccess to clean-energy and smart-grid development initiativesConnections to environmental monitoring and climate-tech employers
Middlebury College — Middlebury, VT
Key Distinction: Middlebury's computer engineering program prioritizes undergraduate research and close mentorship, producing graduates with conference presentations and research credentials unusual for the bachelor's level.
Hakia Insight: Middlebury graduates regularly present research at conferences—a credential typically reserved for PhD students—because its small cohort model gives undergrads access to faculty-mentored research projects that peer institutions reserve for graduate students.
At the bachelor's level, middlebury College's approach to computer engineering is filtered through its commitment to undergraduate research and close faculty-student collaboration. Rather than a traditional lecture-heavy program, students learn through a combination of seminar-style courses, hands-on laboratory work, and sustained research projects where they contribute to genuine intellectual problems alongside faculty mentors. The curriculum emphasizes signal processing, control systems, and the design of embedded devices, with particular strength in robotics and automation—areas where Middlebury students regularly present findings at engineering conferences. The college maintains an exceptionally high ratio of faculty to students, meaning computer engineering majors work closely with professors who actively publish and whose research agendas frequently become student projects. This model produces graduates with research experience and publication records unusual for undergraduates, competitive advantages when applying to graduate programs or research-focused positions. Internship placements lean toward technology companies and research institutions rather than pure manufacturing, reflecting the program's research orientation. The intellectual culture is notably collaborative and interdisciplinary; students routinely combine computer engineering with physics, environmental science, or music to tackle problems at disciplinary boundaries.
Programs Offered
- Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering — 4 years, on-campus
- Bachelor of Arts in Computer Engineering — 4 years, online
Research Labs and Institutes
- Virginia Image and Video Analysis (VIVA) Laboratory
Industry Partners
- National Radio Astronomy Observatory (collaborator)
- WHOOP (employer)
- Faraday (employer)
Notable Faculty
- Christopher Andrews — Computer Science
- James Laffin — Computer Science
- Andrea Vaccari — Image and signal processing, remote sensing, biomedical applications
Location Advantages: Located in Vermont with access to northeastern tech corridor
Champlain College — Burlington, VT
Key Distinction: Champlain's cooperative education model embeds 12–16 months of paid internship into the degree, producing graduates who are immediately productive and often hired by their co-op employers.
Hakia Insight: Champlain's 12–16 month embedded co-op model means students don't just intern; they cycle through multiple 4-6 month rotations, building progressive responsibility and often being hired full-time by year three while still enrolled—a pipeline efficiency most schools don't achieve.
At the bachelor's level, champlain College's computer engineering program is built on a cooperative education model where internships are woven into the academic sequence rather than bolted on as optional extras. Students typically complete four or more semesters of full-time, paid professional work integrated across their four-year degree, meaning they graduate with 12–16 months of industry experience already in their resume. This structure fundamentally shapes both the curriculum—which anticipates what practicing engineers actually do—and student outcomes, since employers who have hosted Champlain interns often hire them upon graduation. The technical curriculum centers on embedded systems, IoT, and real-time systems, with heavy emphasis on languages and tools (C, C++, embedded Linux) that employers actively seek. Project-based learning connects coursework to practical problems; students in digital design and microprocessor courses work on assignments that mirror industrial product development cycles. The program's strength lies not in cutting-edge research facilities but in its ecosystem of relationships with New England and national tech companies—from established firms like IBM and Apple to startups in the Burlington tech scene. Graduates emerge as immediately productive engineers, often stepping into mid-level positions that companies would normally staff with two-year engineers because of their breadth of experience.
Programs Offered
- Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering — 4 years, on-campus
- Bachelor of Arts in Computer Engineering — 4 years, online
Research Labs and Institutes
- Leahy Center for Digital Forensics & Cybersecurity
Industry Partners
- IBM (corporate)
- Apple (corporate)
Career Outcomes
Top Employers: Burton Snowboards.
Notable Faculty
- Dr. Wei Kian Chen — Data Mining, Machine Learning, Pattern Recognition
- Dr. Adam Goldstein — Cybersecurity Operations, Network Security, Cloud Security
- Dr. Murat Gungor — Software Engineering, Object Oriented Programming and Design
- Dr. Brian Hall — C/C++, Microcontrollers, Computer Architecture, Software Engineering
- Dr. Vikas Thammanna Gowda — Image Processing and Computer Vision, Data Privacy, Machine Learning
- Dr. Alexandre Tolstenko — Artificial Intelligence, Algorithms
- Daniel Buckstein — 3D Math, Graphics, Animation & Systems Programming, Augmented Reality
Accreditations and Certifications
- NSA National Center of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity (NCAE-C)
Location Advantages: Burlington, VT tech sector presenceRegional IBM and Apple operationsNew England startup ecosystem access
Landmark College — Putney, VT
Key Distinction: Landmark's computer engineering program is uniquely architected for neurodivergent learners, combining rigorous technical curriculum with structured, multisensory pedagogy and built-in accessibility support.
Hakia Insight: Landmark's rigorous technical curriculum wrapped in multisensory pedagogy doesn't produce 'lower-tier' engineers—it produces engineers whose learning-difference backgrounds often translate into creative problem-solving advantages valued by New England accessibility-focused employers.
At the bachelor's level, landmark College's computer engineering program is built around a neurodiversity-affirming pedagogical model that fundamentally reshapes how students learn technical content. Rather than a one-size-fits-all curriculum, the program emphasizes multisensory learning, explicit skill scaffolding, and individualized accommodation—making it exceptional for students with learning differences, ADHD, dyslexia, or autism spectrum profiles who thrive with structured, multidisciplinary approaches to problem-solving. The curriculum integrates hands-on lab work early and often, with particular strength in embedded systems and robotics projects that allow students to see immediate, tangible applications of circuit design and microcontroller programming. Faculty prioritize mentorship and frequent feedback loops, recognizing that engineering mastery compounds when learners receive granular guidance on debugging, documentation, and design iteration. Students benefit from Landmark's close connections to New England-based tech employers and accessibility-forward companies that actively recruit graduates who bring both technical competence and deep experience navigating adaptive technologies. For prospective engineers who have felt unsupported in traditional STEM environments, this program offers both rigorous technical training and an institutional culture designed to unlock their full potential.
Programs Offered
- Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering — 4 years, on-campus
- Bachelor of Arts in Computer Engineering — 4 years, online
Accreditations and Certifications
Location Advantages: Proximity to New England tech sector and accessibility-forward employers
Bennington College — Bennington, VT
Key Distinction: Bennington's computer engineering program is defined by radical interdisciplinarity and student-driven curriculum design, preparing engineers who integrate technical depth with creative and humanities perspectives.
Hakia Insight: Bennington's radical interdisciplinarity—where computer engineering students integrate art and music—produces graduates who can design human-centered systems and communicate technical work across disciplines, a portfolio advantage in companies where user experience and design thinking matter.
At the bachelor's level, computer engineering at Bennington is distinguished by its radical interdisciplinary model—students don't pursue engineering in isolation but weave it together with art, music, theater, or environmental studies through self-designed curricula and cross-departmental collaborations. This approach produces engineers who are unusually skilled at translating between technical and human contexts: designing interfaces that work for real users, building installations that combine sensors and aesthetics, or solving problems by drawing on humanities perspectives alongside pure computation. The program emphasizes project-based learning; students work on substantive technical challenges—robotics, digital media systems, embedded design—while engaging with creative constraints and real-world collaboration. Bennington's winter work term requirement means students gain industry experience every year, giving them multiple internship cycles to test ideas, build portfolios, and establish professional networks well before graduation. Faculty are researcher-practitioners who value both rigor and intellectual playfulness, mentoring students through personalized advising rather than standardized requirements. Graduates often describe their Bennington engineering education as having prepared them not just to code or design circuits, but to ask better questions about *why* technology matters—a perspective that increasingly sets them apart in roles requiring innovation, user empathy, and complex problem-framing.
Programs Offered
- Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering — 4 years, on-campus
- Bachelor of Arts in Computer Engineering — 4 years, online
Location Advantages: Access to Vermont's creative and startup communities
Norwich University — Northfield, VT
Key Distinction: Year-long capstone project in senior year. 24/7 lab access
Hakia Insight: Norwich's 24/7 lab access combined with its Raytheon and Lockheed Martin partnerships means capstone projects can tackle real defense contractor specifications; students aren't simulating engineering problems—they're solving ones with commercial and military applications.
The Electrical and Computer Engineering bachelor's program at Norwich University combines hardware and software expertise through intensive hands-on learning. The curriculum progresses from foundational math and science in years 1-2, to applied learning with labs and team projects in year 3, culminating in a year-long capstone project in year 4 where students design, build, and test real-world solutions. Students benefit from small class sizes, 24/7 lab access, and professors who know their names. The program is ABET-accredited and emphasizes practical experience through undergraduate research opportunities and project-based learning. Graduates enter high-paying careers with average salaries ranging from $102,000-$135,000 in growing fields like robotics, aerospace, renewable energy, and electronics engineering.
Programs Offered
- Bachelor of Science in Electrical and Computer Engineering — 4 years, on-campus. BS
Industry Partners
- Raytheon Technologies (corporate)
- Lockheed Martin (corporate)
- General Dynamics (corporate)
- U.S. Department of Defense (government)
Career Outcomes
Median Salary: $NaN.
Location Advantages: Strong regional defense contractor presenceProximity to military installations
Vermont State University — Randolph, VT
Key Distinction: Vermont State's computer engineering program prioritizes project-based, applied learning with embedded systems and hardware focus, paired with direct industry partnerships in Vermont's manufacturing and tech sectors.
Hakia Insight: Vermont State's embedded systems curriculum paired with direct manufacturing partnerships means bachelor's graduates enter a cluster of predictable local employers where their applied hardware expertise is immediately deployable, rare career clarity for a four-year degree.
At the bachelor's level, vermont State University's computer engineering program emphasizes practical, hands-on learning with direct application to real-world problems. The curriculum integrates embedded systems design, digital signal processing, and hardware-software co-design throughout the four-year sequence, allowing students to work with modern microcontroller platforms and FPGA development tools from their first year. What distinguishes this program is its project-driven approach: students tackle capstone projects in partnership with regional manufacturers and tech companies, often addressing actual industry challenges in automation, IoT systems, and renewable energy applications. The faculty bring significant industry experience—many have worked in semiconductor design and systems integration—and maintain active connections with Vermont's growing tech sector. Graduates emerge with portfolios of completed projects rather than theoretical knowledge alone, which has contributed to strong placement outcomes in hardware engineering, firmware development, and systems design roles. The program benefits from Vermont's proximity to IBM's Global Technology Services operations and a growing cluster of advanced manufacturing companies, creating internship and employment pipelines that many students leverage before graduation.
Programs Offered
- Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering — 4 years, on-campus
- Bachelor of Arts in Computer Engineering — 4 years, online
Research Labs and Institutes
- Renewable Energy Lab
- Weather Center
- TV Studio Workstations
- Geographic Information Systems Lab
- Solar Training Roof
Notable Faculty
- Andrew Vermilyea — Environmental Science and Chemistry
Location Advantages: Proximity to IBM Global Technology ServicesAccess to Vermont's advanced manufacturing cluster
Saint Michael's College — Colchester, VT
Key Distinction: Saint Michael's computer engineering program integrates liberal arts values and ethics-focused design thinking with technical rigor, producing engineers who can communicate and think systemically.
Hakia Insight: Saint Michael's integration of ethics-focused design thinking into technical curriculum produces engineers trained to identify stakeholder impact and systemic trade-offs—skills that distinguish its graduates when healthcare and education sector employers evaluate problem-solving approach.
At the bachelor's level, saint Michael's College's computer engineering program operates within a liberal arts context that shapes how students approach technical problems—with emphasis on ethical design, systems thinking, and the human impact of technology. Rather than narrowly specializing early, students complete a broad engineering foundation before focusing on computer engineering topics, ensuring they understand how their designs fit into larger sociotechnical systems. The curriculum incorporates electives in robotics, IoT, and digital systems alongside coursework in technical writing and professional ethics, reflecting the college's belief that engineers need communication and judgment skills as much as circuit analysis. The program maintains active partnerships with regional healthcare, educational, and manufacturing organizations that sponsor student projects—a approach that often leads students toward careers where engineering solves real problems for identifiable communities. Faculty advisors prioritize mentoring students into internships and research roles that match their values, whether in sustainable technology, assistive engineering, or advanced manufacturing. Graduates report that their liberal arts training—the ability to explain technical concepts clearly and to think through unintended consequences—became as valuable as their technical credentials once in the workplace.
Programs Offered
- Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering — 4 years, on-campus
- Bachelor of Arts in Computer Engineering — 4 years, online
Location Advantages: Regional healthcare and education sector opportunities
Best Master's Computer Engineering Degree Programs in Vermont
University of Vermont — Burlington, VT
Key Distinction: Three track options: thesis, project, or coursework-only. Graduate assistantships available with stipends and tuition support for thesis-based students
Hakia Insight: UVM's coursework-only track with no thesis requirement, paired with graduate assistantships covering tuition, is designed for working engineers in Vermont's IBM ecosystem who need credentials without leaving their jobs—a rare flexibility at the master's level.
The M.S. in Electrical Engineering at UVM offers three flexible tracks to accommodate working professionals: thesis, project, and coursework-only options. The program requires 30 credit hours at the 5000+ level and can be completed on a part-time basis with rolling admissions. Graduate research assistants (GRA) and teaching assistants (GTA) receive stipends and tuition support. The program boasts near 100% job placement rate and positions graduates for upper-management roles with competitive salaries. According to Bureau of Labor Statistics, electrical engineers earn median pay of $101,780, with high earners making over $162,930. A graduate degree significantly increases earning potential over career span. Students can enhance their credentials with embedded graduate certificate programs in cutting-edge areas like semiconductor engineering. The program features strong industry partnerships through the CEMS Career Readiness Program, with graduates placed at leading companies including GlobalFoundries, Intel, IBM, and Qualcomm. Research funding has increased fourfold, providing extensive assistantship opportunities for thesis-based students.
Programs Offered
- Master of Science in Electrical Engineering — 1-2 years, on-campus. M.S.
Research Labs and Institutes
- Vermont Advanced Computing Core (VACC)
- Center for Computer Security and Privacy
- Vermont Complex Systems Center
- Fabrication Lab (FABLAB)
- Prototype Lab
- Device Characterization Teaching Lab
Industry Partners
Career Outcomes
Median Salary: $NaN. Top Employers: Intel, IBM.
Admissions
GPA Requirement: 3.0 minimum. Application Deadline: Rolling admissions - Priority deadline January 1st (Fall), October 1st (Spring).
Requirements: 30 credit hours at 5000+ level, 18-24 credits in advanced courses with 6 credits at 6000-level, 15 credits in approved EE study areas, Comprehensive examination
Accreditations and Certifications
Location Advantages: Proximity to IBM and regional tech companiesAccess to clean-energy and smart-grid development initiativesConnections to environmental monitoring and climate-tech employers
Vermont State University — Randolph, VT
Key Distinction: Vermont State's computer engineering program prioritizes project-based, applied learning with embedded systems and hardware focus, paired with direct industry partnerships in Vermont's manufacturing and tech sectors.
Hakia Insight: Vermont State's embedded systems focus paired with direct access to IBM Global Technology Services and Vermont's advanced manufacturing cluster positions graduates to immediately apply coursework in hardware design—a practical advantage rare in master's programs that often remain theory-heavy.
At the master's level, vermont State University's computer engineering program emphasizes practical, hands-on learning with direct application to real-world problems. The curriculum integrates embedded systems design, digital signal processing, and hardware-software co-design throughout the four-year sequence, allowing students to work with modern microcontroller platforms and FPGA development tools from their first year. What distinguishes this program is its project-driven approach: students tackle capstone projects in partnership with regional manufacturers and tech companies, often addressing actual industry challenges in automation, IoT systems, and renewable energy applications. The faculty bring significant industry experience—many have worked in semiconductor design and systems integration—and maintain active connections with Vermont's growing tech sector. Graduates emerge with portfolios of completed projects rather than theoretical knowledge alone, which has contributed to strong placement outcomes in hardware engineering, firmware development, and systems design roles. The program benefits from Vermont's proximity to IBM's Global Technology Services operations and a growing cluster of advanced manufacturing companies, creating internship and employment pipelines that many students leverage before graduation.
Programs Offered
- Master of Science in Computer Engineering — 1-2 years, on-campus
- Master of Arts in Computer Engineering — 1-2 years, online
Research Labs and Institutes
- Renewable Energy Lab
- Weather Center
- TV Studio Workstations
- Geographic Information Systems Lab
- Solar Training Roof
Notable Faculty
- Andrew Vermilyea — Environmental Science and Chemistry
Location Advantages: Proximity to IBM Global Technology ServicesAccess to Vermont's advanced manufacturing cluster
