- 1.Software Engineering professionals earn a median salary of $136,620/year, with 25% job growth projected through 2032—much faster than average.
- 2.Our top-ranked software engineering programs are Carnegie Mellon University, Northeastern University, and San Jose State University—selected based on graduation rates, program size, and career outcomes.
- 3.Best value: San Jose State University offers software engineering degrees at just $5,742/year with a 100% graduation rate.
- 4.172 accredited software engineering programs available nationwide, with options at every degree level from associate's to doctoral.
- 5.Entry-level positions typically require a bachelor's degree; master's degrees unlock senior roles with 20-40% higher salaries and leadership opportunities.
Source: BLS OEWS 2024, IPEDS 2023
Best Software Engineering Programs - Top 10
These are the best software engineering programs in the United States based on our comprehensive methodology that considers graduation rates, program size, institutional reputation, and career outcomes. Rankings are updated annually using data from IPEDS and BLS.
Best Software Engineering Programs - Top 10
Carnegie Mellon University
Doctoral: Very High Research (R1)
CMU's MS in Software Engineering is the only program of its kind offered exclusively in Silicon Valley, placing students directly within the world's highest concentration of technology organizations with immediate access to internships and career opportunities at industry leaders.
Program Overview
Carnegie Mellon's Master of Science in Software Engineering represents a unique blend of rigorous academic foundation and practical industry application. Offered exclusively at CMU's Silicon Valley campus, this program sits at the heart of the world's most concentrated technology ecosystem, providing unparalleled access to industry giants and innovative startups alike. Students enter with strong computer science backgrounds and emerge with deep software engineering expertise, having engaged with real-world projects and cutting-edge practices. The curriculum emphasizes both theoretical foundations and hands-on experience, covering everything from software architecture and verification to emerging AI tools integration across the development lifecycle. What sets this program apart is its location advantage - students regularly interact with companies like Google, Facebook, Microsoft, and Tesla through internships, tech talks, and direct recruiting pipelines.
Degree Programs
Research Labs & Institutes
Federally funded R&D center for software engineering, cybersecurity, and AI engineering
Location Advantages
- •Silicon Valley's highest concentration of technology organizations
- •Direct access to startup ecosystem and entrepreneurial culture
- •Proximity to Google, Facebook, Microsoft, Amazon, Tesla headquarters
- •Rich networking opportunities through meetups and hackathons
Industry Partners
Career Outcomes
Google, Facebook, Microsoft, VMWare, Amazon
Certifications & Designations
Admissions
Northeastern University
Doctoral: Very High Research (R1)
Unlike traditional computer science programs, Northeastern's Software Engineering Systems program takes an explicitly engineering approach to software development, focusing on the three-way intersection of computer science, engineering, and ethics to create systems for societal impact.
Program Overview
Northeastern University's Master of Science in Software Engineering Systems is a distinctive program that approaches software development from the analytical and methodological perspective of an engineer, rather than traditional computer science. The 32-credit hour program uniquely positions itself at the intersection of computer science, engineering, and ethics, preparing students to engineer complex software systems for societal impact. Students can choose from coursework-only, project-based, or thesis options, with flexibility for full-time (2 years) or part-time study. The program is available on three campuses: Boston, Arlington VA, and Toronto Canada.
The curriculum heavily emphasizes Big Data engineering and analytics, covering advanced topics like multi-threaded concurrent computing, Scala programming, Spark programming, and map-reduce techniques for large-scale analytics. Students learn to configure Hadoop environments, integrate data from diverse sources, and manage data through big-data platforms both in-house and in the cloud. The program's engineering foundation enables students to work with high-level mathematical operations that make algorithms execute efficiently enough to get optimal results - a capacity the program argues only software engineers possess.
Degree Programs
Research Labs & Institutes
Discover fundamentally new ways to measure, model, predict, and visualize meaningful interactions and interconnectivity of social, physical, and technological systems
Security and privacy implications of online services, algorithmic fairness, bias, and data privacy
Location Advantages
- •Boston innovation hub with 110K+ Northeastern alumni in Greater Boston
- •Arlington VA proximity to federal contractors and tech companies
- •Toronto access to Canadian tech market
Industry Partners
Career Outcomes
Admissions
San Jose State University
Masters: Larger Programs
Located in the epicenter of Silicon Valley, SJSU's Software Engineering program provides direct access to the world's largest concentration of tech companies, with class schedules designed specifically for working engineers at major technology firms.
Program Overview
San José State University's Master of Science in Software Engineering program offers a distinctive 33-unit graduate degree that bridges traditional computer science with practical software engineering in the heart of Silicon Valley. Housed within the Computer Engineering Department at the College of Engineering, the program serves over 1,600 undergraduate and graduate students with direct connections to tech giants like Google, Apple, and Meta. The curriculum features six specialized tracks: Enterprise Software Technologies, Data Science, Cloud Computing and Virtualization, Software Systems Engineering, Networking Software, and Cybersecurity. Classes are strategically scheduled for working professionals, utilizing state-of-the-art software engineering tools and sophisticated workstations. Students can pursue either a thesis track (Plan A) or project track (Plan B) as their culminating experience, with the program explicitly designed for the globalized software development landscape where large-scale design and component integration dominate.
Degree Programs
Location Advantages
- •Heart of Silicon Valley with direct access to major tech companies
- •Close proximity to Google, Apple, Meta, and other industry leaders
- •Designed for working professionals in the tech industry
Industry Partners
Career Outcomes
Silicon Valley software development companies, Software development management roles, Software marketing positions
Admissions
University of California-Irvine
Doctoral: Very High Research (R1)
UC Irvine is the only independent computing school in the University of California system, enabling a uniquely broad, multidisciplinary approach to software engineering that bridges computer science, engineering, mathematics, and behavioral sciences.
Iowa State University
Doctoral: Very High Research (R1)
Iowa State is among the few universities nationwide to offer a standalone, ABET-accredited Bachelor of Science in Software Engineering degree, treating software engineering as a full engineering discipline rather than a subset of computer science.
Rochester Institute of Technology
Doctoral: High Research (R2)
RIT created the first undergraduate software engineering program in the United States and operates one of the world's oldest and largest cooperative education programs, providing students with nearly a year of full-time paid industry experience.
Auburn University
Doctoral: Very High Research (R1)
Auburn is one of only 11 institutions nationally to hold three National Center of Academic Excellence designations and houses the McCrary Institute for Cyber and Critical Infrastructure Security, which recently received a $10 million Department of Energy grant to create the first regional cybersecurity center protecting the nation's electricity grid.
Rowan University
Doctoral: High Research (R2)
Rowan's software engineering education uniquely integrates with advanced visualization technologies including a 10-sided CAVE system and Dreamscape Learn VR environments, while maintaining active research partnerships with organizations like the FAA, Department of Defense, and NIH for real-world project experience.
California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo
Masters: Larger Programs
Cal Poly's Software Engineering program is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET and uniquely combines computer science fundamentals with formal engineering methodologies, while graduates are recruited by major tech companies including Google, Microsoft, Apple, Disney, DreamWorks, and Electronic Arts.
The University of Texas at Dallas
Doctoral: Very High Research (R1)
UT Dallas offers one of the few Executive Master's in Software Engineering programs in the nation, allowing working professionals to earn their degree in just 20 months through weekend-only classes, while maintaining access to the same world-class faculty and research opportunities as traditional students.
Our rankings methodology weighs program strength (25%), graduation rate (20%), career outcomes (15%), institutional quality (12%), industry recognition (10%), selectivity (10%), and data transparency (8%). Learn more about our methodology →
Who Should Study Software Engineering?
Software engineering is ideal for students who enjoy building things, working in teams, and solving practical problems. You should be comfortable with logical thinking and willing to learn multiple programming languages, but prior experience isn't required.
- Problem solvers who enjoy building software products and applications
- Team-oriented students who want to collaborate on large projects
- Practically-minded individuals interested in real-world development over theory
- Career-focused students seeking high-demand, well-paying technology roles
- Detail-oriented thinkers who care about code quality, testing, and maintainability
Software Engineering Degree Levels Compared
Software engineering degrees are available at multiple levels, each suited to different career goals and experience levels.
Software Engineering Programs by Degree Level
2-year programs for career entry or transfer to bachelor's programs
Top-ranked undergraduate programs nationwide
Top graduate programs for specialization and advancement
PhD programs for research and academic careers
Flexible online programs for working professionals
Best Software Engineering Programs - Bachelor's
A bachelor's degree in software engineering is the standard credential for entry-level positions. These 4-year programs provide comprehensive training and hands-on experience.
Best Software Engineering Programs - Top 3 Bachelor's
University of California-Irvine
52 graduates, 96% grad rate, Score: 69.7
Iowa State University
158 graduates, 99% grad rate, Score: 69.4
Rochester Institute of Technology
113 graduates, 90% grad rate, Score: 68.9
4. San Jose State University (San Jose, CA) - Score: 65.9, Tuition: $5,742
5. Auburn University (Auburn, AL) - Score: 65.1, Tuition: $10,704
6. Rowan University (Glassboro, NJ) - Score: 63.9, Tuition: $11,250
7. California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo (San Luis Obispo, CA) - Score: 63.9, Tuition: $5,742
8. The University of Texas at Dallas (Richardson, TX) - Score: 62.9, Tuition: $14,564
9. Western Governors University (Salt Lake City, UT) - Score: 62.8, Tuition: $7,710
10. Stevens Institute of Technology (Hoboken, NJ) - Score: 62.8, Tuition: $58,680
Best Software Engineering Programs - Master's
A master's degree in software engineering prepares students for senior and specialized roles. These 1-2 year programs offer advanced expertise and leadership training.
Best Software Engineering Programs - Top 3 Master's
Carnegie Mellon University
205 graduates, 98% grad rate, Score: 92.7
Northeastern University
767 graduates, N/A% grad rate, Score: 80.6
San Jose State University
392 graduates, 100% grad rate, Score: 73.4
4. University of California-Irvine (Irvine, CA) - Score: 69.8, Tuition: $11,834
5. Arizona State University Campus Immersion (Tempe, AZ) - Score: 62.5, Tuition: $11,308
6. Stevens Institute of Technology (Hoboken, NJ) - Score: 62.2, Tuition: $58,680
7. Rochester Institute of Technology (Rochester, NY) - Score: 62.2, Tuition: $55,784
8. George Mason University (Fairfax, VA) - Score: 62.0, Tuition: $10,095
9. Tufts University (Medford, MA) - Score: 61.8, Tuition: $66,358
10. DePaul University (Chicago, IL) - Score: 61.6, Tuition: $43,379
Best Software Engineering Programs - Online
Online software engineering programs offer flexibility for working professionals. Top accredited programs provide the same curriculum quality as on-campus alternatives.
Best Software Engineering Programs - Top 3 Online
Carnegie Mellon University
205 graduates, 98% grad rate, Score: 92.7
Northeastern University
767 graduates, N/A% grad rate, Score: 80.6
University of California-Irvine
52 graduates, 96% grad rate, Score: 69.7
4. Iowa State University (Ames, IA) - Score: 69.4, Tuition: $8,982
5. Rochester Institute of Technology (Rochester, NY) - Score: 68.9, Tuition: $55,784
6. Western Governors University (Salt Lake City, UT) - Score: 67.8, Tuition: $7,710
7. San Jose State University (San Jose, CA) - Score: 65.9, Tuition: $5,742
8. Auburn University (Auburn, AL) - Score: 65.1, Tuition: $10,704
9. Rowan University (Glassboro, NJ) - Score: 63.9, Tuition: $11,250
10. California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo (San Luis Obispo, CA) - Score: 63.9, Tuition: $5,742
Best Software Engineering Programs - Associate's
An associate's degree in software engineering provides a 2-year pathway into the field. These programs are ideal for career starters or those planning to transfer to a 4-year program.
Best Software Engineering Programs - Top 3 Associate's
Santa Monica College
38 graduates, 95% grad rate, Score: 58.5
Green River College
21 graduates, 99% grad rate, Score: 56.0
Valencia College
60 graduates, 86% grad rate, Score: 54.9
4. Columbia Basin College (Pasco, WA) - Score: 54.2, Tuition: $5,514
5. Bellevue College (Bellevue, WA) - Score: 53.7, Tuition: $4,074
6. Dallas College (Dallas, TX) - Score: 53.2, Tuition: $4,050
7. MiraCosta College (Oceanside, CA) - Score: 52.3, Tuition: $1,104
8. Palm Beach State College (Lake Worth, FL) - Score: 51.8, Tuition: $3,030
9. Pasco-Hernando State College (New Port Richey, FL) - Score: 51.0, Tuition: $2,297
10. State College of Florida-Manatee-Sarasota (Bradenton, FL) - Score: 49.7, Tuition: $2,365
Best Software Engineering Programs - Graduate
Graduate programs in software engineering (PhD and doctoral degrees) prepare students for research, academic, and senior leadership positions.
Best Software Engineering Programs - Top 3 Graduate
University of California-Berkeley
46 graduates, 96% grad rate, Score: 95.5
Carnegie Mellon University
27 graduates, 98% grad rate, Score: 89.7
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
68 graduates, N/A% grad rate, Score: 88.4
4. University of Southern California (Los Angeles, CA) - Score: 86.2, Tuition: $66,640
5. University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (Champaign, IL) - Score: 83.8, Tuition: $14,768
6. Stanford University (Stanford, CA) - Score: 82.8, Tuition: $61,731
7. Princeton University (Princeton, NJ) - Score: 82.6, Tuition: $59,710
8. Cornell University (Ithaca, NY) - Score: 81.8, Tuition: $65,204
9. University of California-San Diego (La Jolla, CA) - Score: 80.0, Tuition: $11,834
10. University of Michigan-Ann Arbor (Ann Arbor, MI) - Score: 79.5, Tuition: $17,977
Most Affordable Software Engineering Programs
Looking for quality software engineering education without the hefty price tag? These programs offer the best value—balancing tuition costs with strong academic outcomes and career prospects. Our Value Score factors in graduation rates, program strength, and institutional quality relative to cost.
Top 5 Most Affordable Software Engineering Programs
| Rank | Institution | Location | Tuition | Value Score | Grad Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Jose State University | San Jose, CA | $5,742 | 114.8 | 100% |
| 2 | California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo | San Luis Obispo, CA | $5,742 | 111.3 | 100% |
| 3 | Kennesaw State University | Kennesaw, GA | $4,450 | 109.2 | 66% |
| 4 | Florida Gulf Coast University | Fort Myers, FL | $4,191 | 108.4 | 95% |
| 5 | Green River College | Auburn, WA | $4,074 | 107.0 | 99% |
Software Engineering Career Outcomes
Software engineering graduates enjoy excellent career prospects with high starting salaries, strong job growth, and opportunities across every industry. The BLS projects 25% job growth for software developers through 2032—much faster than average. For detailed compensation analysis, see our software engineer salary guide.
Career Paths
Software Developer
SOC 15-1252Design, develop, and maintain software applications using various programming languages and frameworks.
DevOps Engineer
SOC 15-1252Build and maintain development and deployment infrastructure, automating software delivery processes.
Full Stack Developer
SOC 15-1254Develop both frontend user interfaces and backend systems for web and mobile applications.
Software Architect
SOC 15-1252Design high-level software system architecture and make key technical decisions for development teams.
Technical Lead
SOC 15-1252Lead software development teams, mentor junior developers, and guide technical project decisions.
Software Engineering Curriculum Overview
Software engineering programs combine computer science fundamentals with practical development skills and engineering methodology. Core courses cover programming, data structures, software design, and project management, with hands-on team projects throughout.
- Programming Foundations: Multiple languages (Java, Python, C++, JavaScript), object-oriented design
- Software Development Lifecycle: Requirements analysis, design patterns, testing, deployment
- Team Development: Version control (Git), agile methodologies, code reviews, collaboration tools
- System Design: Database design, web development, API design, distributed systems
- Quality Assurance: Unit testing, integration testing, debugging, performance optimization
- Project Management: Software project planning, risk management, client communication
Most programs require capstone projects where students work in teams to build complete software systems for real clients. For detailed curriculum breakdown, see our software engineering curriculum guide.
Software Engineering Programs by State
Arizona
California
Colorado
Connecticut
Florida
Georgia
Illinois
Indiana
Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota
Missouri
New Jersey
New York
North Carolina
Ohio
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Tennessee
Texas
Utah
Virginia
Washington
Wisconsin
Software Engineering vs Related Fields
Software engineering emphasizes the engineering discipline of building software—methodology, teamwork, testing, project management, and delivering working products. While CS asks 'how does computation work?', software engineering asks 'how do we build reliable software efficiently?'
SE programs typically include more team projects, industry collaboration, and practical development experience. You'll spend less time on theoretical algorithms and more time on software architecture, agile methodologies, version control, CI/CD pipelines, and working in development teams.
Choose software engineering if you're confident you want to build software products and prefer practical application over theory. The tradeoff is less flexibility—SE provides narrower preparation than CS, which matters if you later want to pivot to research, data science, or other theoretical roles.
Which Should You Choose?
- You want to focus specifically on building software products and systems
- You prefer practical development skills over theoretical computer science
- You're interested in team-based development and project management
- Your primary goal is becoming a professional software developer
- You want broad foundations in computing theory and algorithms
- You're interested in research, AI, or advanced theoretical concepts
- You prefer maximum career flexibility across all tech roles
- You enjoy mathematics and abstract problem-solving
- You're specifically interested in data analysis and machine learning
- You want to work with data insights rather than build software systems
- You have strong statistics and mathematics background
- You prefer analytics over application development
- You prefer managing and supporting technology systems
- You're interested in networking, cybersecurity, or IT operations
- You want less programming and more systems administration
- You're targeting IT management career paths
Is a Software Engineering Degree Worth It?
For most students, yes. The combination of high starting salaries (typically $75,000-$95,000), excellent job growth (25% through 2032), and 370,000+ annual job openings makes software engineering one of the most reliable paths to a well-paying tech career.
When it's worth it: You're interested in building software products, enjoy problem-solving and teamwork, and want structured learning with internship opportunities. The degree provides comprehensive technical skills plus the professional development and networking opportunities that bootcamps typically lack.
When to consider alternatives: You're certain you only want basic web development (bootcamps may be faster), you have significant financial constraints (consider starting at community college), or you're already working as a developer and need specific advanced skills (targeted certifications might suffice).
Alternative Paths to Software Engineering Careers
While a software engineering degree is the most comprehensive path, alternatives exist for those with different timelines, budgets, or specific goals
- Best Software Engineering Bootcamps — 12-24 week intensive programs for career switchers
- Self-Taught vs Degree — Comparing outcomes and strategies for independent learning
- Bootcamp vs Master's Degree — ROI comparison for advancing professionals
- AWS Certifications Roadmap — Cloud development credentials
- Technical Interview Prep — Essential for any path to software engineering roles
Many successful engineers combine approaches—starting with a bootcamp or self-study for immediate employment, then adding a degree later for career advancement. For step-by-step guidance, see our software engineer career ladder guide.
Software Engineering Degree FAQ
Based on 485 programs from IPEDS 2023, BLS OES 2024, NSA CAE Database
Number of software engineering graduates from IPEDS 2023, indicating program resources and faculty depth
6-year completion rate from IPEDS 2023, measuring student success
State-level salary data from BLS OES 2024 for relevant occupations
Carnegie Classification with bonus for R1 research universities
NSA/DHS CAE-CD designation for cybersecurity programs, ABET accreditation for engineering
Admission rate from IPEDS 2023 (lower = more selective)
Completeness of reported metrics to IPEDS
Related Resources
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.