Compare 50 accredited software engineering doctoral programs. Find research-focused PhD programs ranked by faculty publications, funding packages, and graduate placement in top research labs and academia.
Quick Answer: Is a Software Engineering PhD Worth It?
Source: A software engineering PhD is worth it if you want to conduct original research, whether in academia or industry research labs. Unlike master's programs, PhDs are typically fully funded (tuition + ~$35K/year stipend). Industry research scientists at Google, Meta, and OpenAI earn $200K-400K+. Academic faculty earn less but enjoy research freedom and job security.
A PhD is the terminal research degree in software engineering, required for tenure-track faculty positions and highly valued for industry research scientist roles. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Software Developers with advanced degrees can earn $208,000+ or more, especially in research-focused positions.
Who Should Consider a PhD?
The PhD Value Proposition
Important: Don't pursue a PhD just for salary gains. If your goal is maximizing income quickly, a master's + industry experience often yields better short-term returns. A PhD is a 5-6 year commitment to research mastery.
$135,980 median salary · 94% graduation rate
$135,980 median salary · 87% graduation rate
$135,980 median salary · 84% graduation rate
$135,980 median salary · 76% graduation rate
$135,980 median salary · 69% graduation rate
$135,980 median salary · 64% graduation rate
$135,980 median salary · 33% graduation rate
Hakia ranks Carnegie Mellon University's online doctorate software engineering program #1. Degree: Doctorate (research). Delivery: fully online. Location: Pittsburgh, PA | Type: Private nonprofit | Tuition: $64,596/year | Graduation Rate: 94% | Median Salary: $135,980 | Score: 94.7
Hakia ranks University of California-Irvine's doctorate software engineering program #2. Degree: Doctorate (research). Delivery: on-campus. Location: Irvine, CA | Type: Public | Tuition: $12,260/year | Graduation Rate: 87% | Median Salary: $135,980 | Score: 86.2
Hakia ranks Southern Methodist University's online doctorate software engineering program #3. Degree: Doctorate (research). Delivery: fully online. Location: Dallas, TX | Type: Private nonprofit | Tuition: $59,500/year | Graduation Rate: 84% | Median Salary: $135,980 | Score: 75.9
Hakia ranks The University of Texas at Dallas's doctorate software engineering program #4. Degree: Doctorate (research). Delivery: on-campus. Location: Richardson, TX | Type: Public | Tuition: $10,639/year | Graduation Rate: 76% | Median Salary: $135,980 | Score: 71.9
Hakia ranks University of California-Merced's doctorate software engineering program #5. Degree: Doctorate (research). Delivery: on-campus. Location: Merced, CA | Type: Public | Tuition: $12,260/year | Graduation Rate: 69% | Median Salary: $135,980 | Score: 66.6
Hakia ranks North Dakota State University-Main Campus's doctorate software engineering program #6. Degree: Doctorate (research). Delivery: on-campus. Location: Fargo, ND | Type: Public | Tuition: $9,309/year | Graduation Rate: 64% | Median Salary: $135,980 | Score: 59.8
Hakia ranks University of the District of Columbia's doctorate software engineering program #7. Degree: Doctorate (research). Delivery: on-campus. Location: Washington, DC | Type: Public | Tuition: $5,292/year | Graduation Rate: 33% | Median Salary: $135,980 | Score: 58.0
| Rank | Program & School | Delivery | Annual Tuition | Grad Rate | Median Salary | Hakia Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Doctorate in Software Engineering Carnegie Mellon UniversityPittsburgh, PA · Private nonprofit | Online | $64,596 | 94% | $135,980 | 94.7 |
| #2 | Doctorate in Software Engineering University of California-IrvineIrvine, CA · Public | On-campus | $12,260 | 87% | $135,980 | 86.2 |
| #3 | Doctorate in Software Engineering Southern Methodist UniversityDallas, TX · Private nonprofit | Online | $59,500 | 84% | $135,980 | 75.9 |
| #4 | Doctorate in Software Engineering The University of Texas at DallasRichardson, TX · Public | On-campus | $10,639 | 76% | $135,980 | 71.9 |
| #5 | Doctorate in Software Engineering University of California-MercedMerced, CA · Public | On-campus | $12,260 | 69% | $135,980 | 66.6 |
| #6 | Doctorate in Software Engineering North Dakota State University-Main CampusFargo, ND · Public | On-campus | $9,309 | 64% | $135,980 | 59.8 |
| #7 | Doctorate in Software Engineering University of the District of ColumbiaWashington, DC · Public | On-campus | $5,292 | 33% | $135,980 | 58.0 |
Showing all 7 ranked programs.
| Factor | Industry Research | Academic Faculty |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Salary | $150,000-$200,000+ | $100,000-$140,000 |
| Salary Ceiling | $300,000-$500,000+ (with equity) | $150,000-$250,000 |
| Job Security | Project-dependent, at-will | Tenure after 6-7 years |
| Research Freedom | Aligned with company goals | High autonomy after tenure |
| Publication Pressure | Varies by company | Essential for tenure |
| Resources | Well-funded, large compute | Grant-dependent |
| Work-Life Balance | Better | Highly variable |
| Impact Timeline | Faster deployment | Long-term influence |
| Typical Employers | Google, Meta, Microsoft, OpenAI | Universities, research institutes |
Source: Salary data from [CRA Taulbee Survey](https://cra.org/resources/taulbee-survey/) and [Glassdoor](https://www.glassdoor.com/Salaries/)
Based on 742 programs from IPEDS 2024
Carnegie Mellon University's Doctorate in Software Engineering leads our ranking of 7 doctoral software engineering programs, scored on graduation rate, selectivity, career outcomes, and cost using IPEDS 2024 and BLS data. Graduates step into a field where the median wage runs about $135,980.
Number of graduates per year in this specific field (CIP code). Larger programs indicate established departments with more resources, course offerings, and career services. Measured from IPEDS Completions data.
Percentage of students completing their degree within 150% of expected time (6 years for bachelor's, 3 years for associate's). Higher rates indicate better student support and program quality. Source: IPEDS Graduation Rates survey.
Admission rate (lower = more selective). More selective institutions have stronger academic environments and more competitive graduates. For open-admission institutions, we use graduation rates as a proxy for quality.
National salary data for software engineering graduates, factored into institutional scores based on job market strength.
Overall quality using all four factors weighted as shown above. Ideal for students seeking the strongest academic experience.
Same methodology, filtered to schools with fully online or hybrid options (IPEDS Distance Education data). Some schools may have lower graduation rates due to different student demographics.
Ranked primarily by net cost (tuition minus average institutional aid), with quality factors as tiebreakers. Best for cost-conscious students.
Federal database of U.S. postsecondary institutions
Computer science research publication rankings by faculty
May 2024 salary data for research positions
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.