- 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 Carnegie Mellon University, Northeastern University, University of California-Irvine 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 Online
Carnegie Mellon University
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
Industry Partners
Admissions
Northeastern University
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
Industry Partners
Admissions
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.
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.
Western Governors University
679 software engineering graduates annually
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.
Best Software Engineering Programs - Compare Top 5 Online
| School | Location | Type | Tuition | Grad Rate | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 Carnegie Mellon University | Pittsburgh, PA | Private | $62,260 | 98% | 92.7/100 |
| #2 Northeastern University | Boston, MA | Private | $62,000 | N/A | 80.6/100 |
| #3 University of California-Irvine | Irvine, CA | Public | $11,834 | 96% | 69.7/100 |
| #4 Iowa State University | Ames, IA | Public | $8,982 | 99% | 69.4/100 |
| #5 Rochester Institute of Technology | Rochester, NY | Private | $55,784 | 90% | 68.9/100 |
Top 50 Online Software Engineering Programs
| Rank | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Carnegie Mellon University | Pittsburgh, PA | Private | $62,260 | 98% | — | 92.7 |
| 2 | Northeastern University | Boston, MA | Private | $62,000 | — | — | 80.6 |
| 3 | University of California-Irvine | Irvine, CA | Public | $11,834 | 96% | — | 69.7 |
| 4 | Iowa State University | Ames, IA | Public | $8,982 | 99% | — | 69.4 |
| 5 | Rochester Institute of Technology | Rochester, NY | Private | $55,784 | 90% | — | 68.9 |
| 6 | Western Governors University | Salt Lake City, UT | Private | $7,710 | — | — | 67.8 |
| 7 | San Jose State University | San Jose, CA | Public | $5,742 | 100% | — | 65.9 |
| 8 | Auburn University | Auburn, AL | Public | $10,704 | 81% | — | 65.1 |
| 9 | Rowan University | Glassboro, NJ | Public | $11,250 | 97% | — | 63.9 |
| 10 | California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo | San Luis Obispo, CA | Public | $5,742 | 100% | — | 63.9 |
| 11 | The University of Texas at Dallas | Richardson, TX | Public | $14,564 | 77% | — | 62.9 |
| 12 | Stevens Institute of Technology | Hoboken, NJ | Private | $58,680 | 74% | — | 62.8 |
| 13 | University of Miami | Coral Gables, FL | Private | $58,104 | 94% | — | 62.1 |
| 14 | George Mason University | Fairfax, VA | Public | $10,095 | 80% | — | 62 |
| 15 | Tufts University | Medford, MA | Private | $66,358 | 81% | — | 61.8 |
| 16 | DePaul University | Chicago, IL | Private | $43,379 | 86% | — | 61.7 |
| 17 | University of California-Merced | Merced, CA | Public | $11,834 | 95% | — | 60.5 |
| 18 | Chapman University | Orange, CA | Private | $62,400 | 93% | — | 59.6 |
| 19 | Harvard University | Cambridge, MA | Private | $54,269 | — | — | 59.6 |
| 20 | Brigham Young University | Provo, UT | Private | $6,496 | 91% | — | 59.2 |
| 21 | Marist College | Poughkeepsie, NY | Private | $45,330 | 100% | — | 57.5 |
| 22 | Clemson University | Clemson, SC | Public | $14,038 | 81% | — | 57.4 |
| 23 | Miami University-Oxford | Oxford, OH | Public | $14,052 | 97% | — | 57.3 |
| 24 | Florida Institute of Technology | Melbourne, FL | Private | $43,420 | 81% | — | 57.2 |
| 25 | Farmingdale State College | Farmingdale, NY | Public | $7,070 | 79% | — | 57.1 |
Showing 1–25 of 50
Career Paths
Software Developer/Engineer
SOC 15-1252Design, develop, and maintain software applications and systems. Work with programming languages like Java, Python, C++, and modern frameworks.
DevOps Engineer
SOC 15-1299Bridge development and operations teams, implementing CI/CD pipelines, cloud infrastructure, and automation tools.
Full Stack Developer
SOC 15-1254Work on both frontend and backend development, creating complete web applications using modern technology stacks.
Mobile App Developer
SOC 15-1255Develop applications for mobile platforms (iOS, Android) using native languages or cross-platform frameworks.
Software Quality Assurance Engineer
SOC 15-1253Design and implement testing strategies, automated testing frameworks, and quality assurance processes.
Cloud Solutions Architect
SOC 15-1299Design and implement cloud-based solutions, working with AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud platforms.
Online Software Engineering Programs Overview
Online software engineering degrees have gained significant credibility, with top programs now offering the same rigorous curriculum as their on-campus counterparts. According to IPEDS 2023 data, 143 accredited institutions offer online software engineering bachelor's programs, representing a 47% increase from 2019.
The best online programs maintain ABET accreditation and provide comprehensive support systems including virtual labs, 24/7 technical support, and dedicated career services. Students in top-ranked programs report high satisfaction rates, with 78% stating they would choose online learning again (NCES Distance Education Survey 2023).
Career outcomes for online software engineering graduates closely match those of traditional programs. BLS employment data shows no significant salary differential between online and on-campus graduates, with both groups earning -$82,000 depending on specialization and location.
For those considering related programs, our computer science degree rankings and cybersecurity program analysis provide additional options. Students interested in career outcomes can explore our comprehensive software engineer salary guide and tech career roadmaps.
Top Programs Analysis: What Sets Leaders Apart
The top 5 online software engineering programs distinguish themselves through comprehensive student support systems, industry partnerships, and proven outcomes. Arizona State University leads with its innovative digital learning platform and strong corporate partnerships with Intel, IBM, and Microsoft that provide real-world project opportunities.
Southern New Hampshire University's competency-based model allows students to accelerate through material they already know, reducing time to graduation. Their partnership with industry leaders ensures curriculum stays current with emerging technologies like cloud computing and AI development.
Penn State World Campus leverages the university's prestigious reputation and extensive alumni network, providing online students with the same career services and networking opportunities as on-campus students. Their capstone projects often lead directly to job offers from partner companies.
Choose Based on Your Profile
- You want maximum affordability with ABET accreditation
- 24/7 technical support and virtual labs are important
- You prefer a large university with extensive resources
- Strong industry partnerships matter for job placement
- You want competency-based learning to accelerate graduation
- Flat-rate tuition provides budget predictability
- You're a working professional needing maximum flexibility
- You value smaller class sizes and personalized attention
- University prestige and alumni network are priorities
- You want the exact same degree as on-campus students
- Industry-sponsored capstone projects appeal to you
- You can invest more for long-term career benefits
- You're military personnel or a veteran
- Government contracting or cybersecurity interests you
- You need fully asynchronous learning
- Proximity to DC job market is advantageous
Frequently Asked Questions
Based on 143 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
National Center for Education Statistics database providing institutional characteristics, enrollment, graduation rates, and financial data for accredited postsecondary institutions.
Official source for career information including job duties, education requirements, median salaries, and employment projections for software developers and related occupations.
Accreditation status verification for engineering and technology programs ensuring curriculum quality and industry relevance.
Enrollment and completion data for postsecondary institutions, including transfer patterns and student mobility analytics.
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.