- 1.Software Engineers earn a median salary of $132,270 with 25% projected job growth through 2032 (BLS OES 2024)
- 2.Top-ranked Software Engineering programs include University of California-Irvine, Iowa State University, Rochester Institute of Technology based on graduation rates, program strength, and career outcomes
- 3.Best value: University of California-Irvine offers software engineering education at $11,834/year with 96% graduation rate
- 4.50 accredited Software Engineering programs analyzed using IPEDS 2023 completion data
Best Software Engineering Programs - Top 10 Bachelor's
University of California-Irvine
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.
Program Overview
UC Irvine's Donald Bren School of Information and Computer Sciences offers two distinct Master of Software Engineering pathways designed for different career goals. The Master of Software Engineering (MSWE) is a professionally-oriented program offering both 15-month full-time and 24-month part-time tracks, specifically tailored for working professionals and career changers. This program emphasizes practical skills through internships and industry capstone projects, with comprehensive coverage of AI for Software Engineering (AI4SE) tools and Software Engineering for AI (SE4AI) systems. For those seeking research-focused training, the M.S. Software Engineering (MSSE) program provides a heavily research-oriented experience requiring thesis completion and designed as preparation for doctoral studies or research careers in corporate and government laboratories. The school's faculty lead cutting-edge research through specialized labs including the Software Engineering and Analysis Lab (SEAL), the Software Engineering & Testing Using Artificial Intelligence for Reliable Software (STAIRS) lab, and collaborations with the California Institute for Telecommunications and Information Technology (Calit2).
Degree Programs
Research Labs & Institutes
Software engineering research and analysis
AI-enhanced software testing and reliability
Telecommunications and information technology research
Industry Partners
Admissions
Iowa State University
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.
Program Overview
Iowa State University's Software Engineering program stands uniquely as a dedicated undergraduate major that bridges the College of Engineering and College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. The Bachelor of Science in Software Engineering requires 125 credits and follows a rigorous four-year curriculum that combines engineering fundamentals with advanced software development practices. Unlike many universities that only offer software engineering as a concentration within computer science, Iowa State treats it as a full engineering discipline with ABET accreditation under the Engineering Accreditation Commission's criteria for Software and Similarly Named Engineering Programs. Students progress through a comprehensive curriculum covering everything from digital logic and computer architecture to software testing, user interface construction, and software architecture design, culminating in a two-semester senior design capstone project.
Degree Programs
Research Labs & Institutes
Software engineering research and analytics
Software verification and safety-critical systems
Advanced software engineering methodologies
Large-scale software systems and scalability
Industry Partners
Admissions
Rochester Institute of Technology
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.
Program Overview
Rochester Institute of Technology's Software Engineering program stands as a comprehensive educational powerhouse, offering both Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees that emphasize hands-on, team-based learning in real-world environments. The MS program accepts students from diverse educational backgrounds and provides flexible learning paths with specializations in data science, full-stack development, AI/machine learning, and DevOps. What sets RIT apart is its integration of cooperative education—one of the oldest and largest co-op programs in the world—requiring 40 weeks of full-time, paid industry experience for undergraduates. The program operates out of state-of-the-art facilities including studio labs, project labs, team rooms, a collaboration lab, and a specialized real-time and embedded systems lab, all designed to simulate industry environments where students work in teams of 20-25 different configurations throughout their studies.
Degree Programs
Research Labs & Institutes
Open 7 days a week center for student collaboration, available to all SE majors
Specialized lab for embedded systems development and real-time computing
Industry Partners
Admissions
San Jose State University
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.
Auburn University
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
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
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
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.
Western Governors University
679 software engineering graduates annually
Stevens Institute of Technology
39 software engineering graduates annually
Best Software Engineering Programs - Compare Top 5 Bachelor's
| School | Location | Type | Tuition | Grad Rate | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 University of California-Irvine | Irvine, CA | Public | $11,834 | 96% | 69.7/100 |
| #2 Iowa State University | Ames, IA | Public | $8,982 | 99% | 69.4/100 |
| #3 Rochester Institute of Technology | Rochester, NY | Private | $55,784 | 90% | 68.9/100 |
| #4 San Jose State University | San Jose, CA | Public | $5,742 | 1% | 65.9/100 |
| #5 Auburn University | Auburn, AL | Public | $10,704 | 81% | 65.1/100 |
Top 50 Software Engineering Bachelor's Programs 2026
| Rank | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of California-Irvine | Irvine, CA | Public | $11,834 | 96% | — | 69.7 |
| 2 | Iowa State University | Ames, IA | Public | $8,982 | 99% | — | 69.4 |
| 3 | Rochester Institute of Technology | Rochester, NY | Private | $55,784 | 90% | — | 68.9 |
| 4 | San Jose State University | San Jose, CA | Public | $5,742 | 100% | — | 65.9 |
| 5 | Auburn University | Auburn, AL | Public | $10,704 | 81% | — | 65.1 |
| 6 | Rowan University | Glassboro, NJ | Public | $11,250 | 97% | — | 63.9 |
| 7 | California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo | San Luis Obispo, CA | Public | $5,742 | 100% | — | 63.9 |
| 8 | The University of Texas at Dallas | Richardson, TX | Public | $14,564 | 77% | — | 62.9 |
| 9 | Western Governors University | Salt Lake City, UT | Private | $7,710 | — | — | 62.8 |
| 10 | Stevens Institute of Technology | Hoboken, NJ | Private | $58,680 | 74% | — | 62.8 |
| 11 | University of Miami | Coral Gables, FL | Private | $58,104 | 94% | — | 62.1 |
| 12 | DePaul University | Chicago, IL | Private | $43,379 | 86% | — | 61.7 |
| 13 | Chapman University | Orange, CA | Private | $62,400 | 93% | — | 59.6 |
| 14 | Brigham Young University | Provo, UT | Private | $6,496 | 91% | — | 59.2 |
| 15 | Miami University-Oxford | Oxford, OH | Public | $14,052 | 97% | — | 57.3 |
| 16 | Florida Institute of Technology | Melbourne, FL | Private | $43,420 | 81% | — | 57.2 |
| 17 | Farmingdale State College | Farmingdale, NY | Public | $7,070 | 79% | — | 57.1 |
| 18 | University of Cincinnati-Main Campus | Cincinnati, OH | Public | $11,228 | 78% | — | 57.1 |
| 19 | California State University-San Marcos | San Marcos, CA | Public | $5,742 | 96% | — | 55.6 |
| 20 | University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth | North Dartmouth, MA | Public | $14,533 | 97% | — | 55.6 |
| 21 | University of Michigan-Dearborn | Dearborn, MI | Public | $14,544 | 94% | — | 55.2 |
| 22 | Arizona State University Campus Immersion | Tempe, AZ | Public | $11,308 | 81% | — | 54.9 |
| 23 | The University of Texas at Arlington | Arlington, TX | Public | $9,206 | 67% | — | 54.8 |
| 24 | Kennesaw State University | Kennesaw, GA | Public | $4,450 | 66% | — | 54.6 |
| 25 | Florida Gulf Coast University | Fort Myers, FL | Public | $4,191 | 95% | — | 54.2 |
Showing 1–25 of 50
Software Engineering Bachelor's Program Overview
Software engineering bachelor's programs have experienced explosive growth, with enrollment increasing 58% from 2015-2023 according to IPEDS data. Unlike general computer science programs, software engineering focuses specifically on the systematic approach to designing, developing, and maintaining large-scale software systems throughout their entire lifecycle.
The field offers exceptional career prospects, with the Bureau of Labor Statistics projecting 25% job growth for software developers through 2032—much faster than average for all occupations. This translates to approximately 153,900 new software engineering positions annually. For students considering related fields, our computer science degree hub provides comprehensive comparisons between CS and software engineering programs.
This ranking analyzes 278 ABET-accredited software engineering bachelor's programs using comprehensive data from IPEDS 2023 and BLS 2024. Our methodology emphasizes graduation rates (40%), student-faculty ratios (30%), career outcomes (20%), and program selectivity (10%). For detailed methodology information, visit our program evaluation framework.
Career Paths
Software Developer
SOC 15-1252Design and build applications, websites, and software systems using programming languages like Java, Python, C++, and JavaScript
DevOps Engineer
SOC 15-1254Bridge development and operations teams by automating deployment processes, managing cloud infrastructure, and ensuring system reliability
Data Scientist
SOC 15-2051Analyze complex datasets to extract business insights, build predictive models, and develop data-driven solutions using statistical methods and machine learning
Cybersecurity Analyst
SOC 15-1212Protect organizational systems and networks from security threats, conduct vulnerability assessments, and implement security protocols
AI/ML Engineer
SOC 15-1199Develop artificial intelligence systems, implement machine learning algorithms, and deploy AI solutions for real-world applications
Mobile App Developer
SOC 15-1252Create applications for iOS and Android platforms, focusing on user experience, performance optimization, and platform-specific development
Full Stack Developer
SOC 15-1254Work on both frontend user interfaces and backend server logic, managing entire web application development lifecycle
Software Engineering Manager
SOC 11-9041Lead software development teams, coordinate project timelines, and bridge technical implementation with business requirements
Top States for Software Engineering Programs
California
Texas
New York
Pennsylvania
Florida
Illinois
Ohio
Michigan
North Carolina
Virginia
Financial Aid and Scholarship Opportunities
Software engineering students have access to substantial financial aid through federal programs, institutional scholarships, and industry-sponsored awards. The FAFSA determines eligibility for federal aid including Pell Grants (up to $7,395 for 2024-25), subsidized loans, and work-study programs. Engineering students often qualify for additional institutional merit scholarships based on academic performance and test scores.
Industry partnerships create unique scholarship opportunities for software engineering students. Companies like Microsoft, Google, Amazon, and IBM offer scholarships ranging from $2,500-$10,000 annually for underrepresented groups and high-achieving students. Many programs also offer paid internships and co-ops that help offset education costs while providing valuable experience. Our FAFSA guide for STEM majors provides step-by-step financial aid application guidance.
- Federal Pell Grant: Up to $7,395/year for eligible students
- State grants: Vary by state, often $1,000-$5,000 annually
- Merit scholarships: Typically $2,000-$15,000 based on GPA/test scores
- Industry scholarships: Google, Microsoft, Amazon offer $2,500-$10,000
- Women in tech scholarships: Organizations like Girls Who Code, AnitaB.org
- Employer tuition assistance: Many tech companies offer $3,000-$8,000/year
Choose Your Program Type Based on Your Goals
- You want maximum prestige and research opportunities
- Cost is not a primary concern ($50K+ annual budget)
- You're targeting FAANG companies or graduate school
- You value small class sizes and extensive faculty interaction
- You want access to cutting-edge research labs and industry partnerships
- You want excellent education at affordable cost (especially in-state)
- You prefer larger student bodies and diverse course offerings
- You value campus life and extensive extracurricular opportunities
- You want strong regional industry connections and job placement
- You're interested in research opportunities at lower cost than private schools
- You want career-focused education with extensive co-op/internship programs
- You prefer hands-on learning over theoretical approaches
- You value strong industry connections and job placement services
- You want specialized tracks (gaming, cybersecurity, embedded systems)
- You're looking for accelerated or non-traditional program formats
- You need flexibility to work while studying
- You have family or geographic constraints
- You're making a career transition and need to maintain income
- You're disciplined with self-directed learning
- You want to minimize student debt and living expenses
Frequently Asked Questions
Based on 278 programs from IPEDS 2023, BLS OES May 2024
Degree completions (sqrt normalized, capped at 500)
6-year completion rate from IPEDS 2023
State-specific salary data from BLS OES 2024
Admission rate (lower = more selective)
Institution type (R1/R2 research bonus)
CAE-CD designation, curator bonuses
Data completeness proxy
Reporting completeness
Data Sources and References
Federal database providing institutional characteristics, enrollment, graduation rates, and financial data for all US colleges and universities
May 2024 employment and wage data for software developers and related occupations (SOC codes 15-1252, 15-1254)
Accreditation status and program information for engineering and computing programs
Federal database with employment outcomes and earnings data for college graduates by institution and program
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.