- 1.Hakia's analysis of the best online software engineering degree programs reveals that 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.
Carnegie Mellon University Software Engineering Program Overview
Hakia ranks Carnegie Mellon University as the #1 in software engineering degree program.
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.
Hakia Insight: Carnegie Mellon University leverages partnerships with Google and Facebook to offer students real-world project experience valued by employers.
Degree Programs
Research Labs & Institutes
Federally funded R&D center for software engineering, cybersecurity, and AI engineering
Industry Partners
Career Outcomes
Google, Facebook, Microsoft, VMWare, Amazon
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.
Northeastern University Software Engineering Program Overview
Hakia ranks Northeastern University as the #2 in software engineering degree program.
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.
Hakia Insight: Northeastern University's industry network — including Google and Microsoft — provides students with internship and hiring pathways.
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
- •Downtown Boston location
- •Direct access to tech offices of Google, Amazon, Facebook, Microsoft, Apple, and hundreds of startups
- •Proximity to Cambridge research institutions
Industry Partners
Career Outcomes
Certifications & Designations
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.
University of California-Irvine Software Engineering Program Overview
Hakia ranks University of California-Irvine as the #3 in software engineering degree program.
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).
Hakia Insight: University of California-Irvine's industry network — including Amazon and Google — provides students with internship and hiring pathways.
Degree Programs
Research Labs & Institutes
Software engineering research and analysis
AI-enhanced software testing and reliability
Telecommunications and information technology research
Industry Partners
Career Outcomes
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.
Iowa State University Software Engineering Program Overview
Hakia ranks Iowa State University as the #4 in software engineering degree program.
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.
Hakia Insight: Iowa State University graduates earn $7,000,080,000, driven by the program's industry connections and hands-on software engineering curriculum.
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
Location Advantages
- •Central Iowa location attracts major tech companies for internships and recruitment
- •Proximity to John Deere headquarters in Moline, IL (90 minutes)
- •Growing Des Moines tech corridor
- •Access to Midwest financial services and manufacturing sectors
Industry Partners
Career Outcomes
Certifications & Designations
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.
Rochester Institute of Technology Software Engineering Program Overview
Hakia ranks Rochester Institute of Technology as the #5 in software engineering degree program.
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.
Hakia Insight: Through ties with Microsoft and Tesla, Rochester Institute of Technology bridges the gap between academic training and industry practice.
Degree Programs
Research Labs & Institutes
Computer vision, robotics, virtual theatre, sensor networks, data mining
Advanced graphics programming, image synthesis, computer animation, virtual reality
Networking security, cryptography, secure databases
Location Advantages
- •Rochester, NY location
- •Access to industry partnerships in the region
Industry Partners
Career Outcomes
Admissions
Western Governors University
WGU's competency-based, fully online software engineering program allows students to progress by demonstrating mastery rather than seat time, making it uniquely flexible for working professionals while maintaining employer-recognized rigor.
Western Governors University Software Engineering Program Overview
Hakia ranks Western Governors University as the #6 in software engineering degree program.
WGU's software engineering program is architected around competency-based learning, meaning students progress by demonstrating mastery rather than sitting through a fixed semester schedule. This model appeals to working professionals and career-changers who need flexibility without sacrificing rigor—a student can accelerate through material they already know or spend additional time on challenging concepts. The curriculum covers full-stack development, cloud architecture, database design, and software security through a mix of interactive coursework, capstone projects, and industry-recognized certifications embedded within the degree. Because WGU operates as a fully online institution, the program attracts a geographically diverse student body and emphasizes asynchronous collaboration and remote-work-ready skills. The program maintains partnerships with major tech employers who recognize WGU graduates and actively recruit from the program, knowing the competency-based model produces job-ready software engineers. Mentor support is structured differently than traditional programs—each student works with a program mentor who guides their individual learning path, creates accountability, and helps connect academic progress to career goals. For those juggling work and education or seeking an accelerated path, WGU's approach flips the traditional model: you prove competency and move forward, rather than waiting for a cohort to finish a semester.
Hakia Insight: Through ties with Microsoft and Amazon Web Services, Western Governors University bridges the gap between academic training and industry practice.
Degree Programs
Location Advantages
- •Online format removes geographic constraints; students access tech job markets nationwide
Industry Partners
Career Outcomes
Microsoft, Amazon, IBM
Certifications & Designations
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.
San Jose State University Software Engineering Program Overview
Hakia ranks San Jose State University as the #7 in software engineering degree program.
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.
Hakia Insight: San Jose State University graduates earn $8,500,095,000, driven by the program's industry connections and hands-on software engineering curriculum.
Degree Programs
Research Labs & Institutes
Software systems and distributed computing
User-centered software design
Location Advantages
- •Headquarters in San Jose, center of Silicon Valley tech ecosystem
- •Proximity to Google, Apple, Cisco, Adobe, Intel campuses
- •Access to Bay Area startup and venture capital scenes
Industry Partners
Career Outcomes
Certifications & Designations
Admissions
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.
Auburn University Software Engineering Program Overview
Hakia ranks Auburn University as the #8 in software engineering degree program.
Auburn University's Computer Science and Software Engineering Department operates within the Samuel Ginn College of Engineering, offering both Bachelor of Science degrees in Computer Science and Software Engineering, plus a fully online Bachelor of Computer Science completion program. The department has positioned itself as a leader in artificial intelligence and cybersecurity education, with specialized Master's degrees in Artificial Intelligence Engineering, Cybersecurity Engineering, and Data Science & Engineering available in hybrid format. Faculty emphasize that graduates are 'not programmers, but designers and architects with the skills to apply advanced technology and tools of AI and Cybersecurity to design and build smart and secure software.' The program features strong industry connections through the Auburn Cyber Research Center and Auburn University Transportation Research Institute (AUTRI), where students work on real-world projects like transportation safety dashboards combining traffic and crash data across Alabama.
Hakia Insight: Through ties with Los Alamos National Laboratory and Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Auburn University bridges the gap between academic training and industry practice.
Degree Programs
Research Labs & Institutes
Cybersecurity research and education with national lab partnerships
Transportation safety research through Auburn University Transportation Research Institute
AI-driven cybersecurity solutions and digital age challenges
Location Advantages
- •Auburn, Alabama - in the heart of Southeastern automotive and manufacturing corridor
- •Proximity to Honda Manufacturing of Alabama, Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama, and major Tier 1 suppliers
- •Access to Auburn Research and Development Park and industrial research partnerships
- •Regional hub for embedded systems and IoT development
Industry Partners
Career Outcomes
Accenture, Aflac, Auburn University, Bentley Systems, Capgemini
Certifications & Designations
Admissions
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.
Rowan University Software Engineering Program Overview
Hakia ranks Rowan University as the #9 in software engineering degree program.
Rowan University offers software engineering education through multiple pathways within its robust computer science ecosystem. The flagship Bachelor of Science in Computer Science program includes a specialized Software Engineering concentration (C707), allowing students to select from advanced courses like Object Oriented Design, Database Systems, Human-Computer Interaction, and Software Engineering II. For graduate students, Rowan provides a comprehensive Master of Science in Computer Science program with a dedicated Software Design core area, featuring courses in Agile Software Engineering, Advanced Software Engineering, and Parallel Programming. The program operates from the College of Science & Mathematics on Rowan's Glassboro campus and maintains strong connections to the South Jersey Technology Park, providing students access to both academic rigor and industry partnerships.
What sets Rowan's approach apart is its integration with cutting-edge research facilities and cross-disciplinary collaboration. Students can engage with the Digital Engineering Hub (DEHub), the Machine & Virtual Reality Center (MAVRC) featuring 10-sided and 4-sided CAVE systems, and the VIVID Lab for interactive media development. The program emphasizes hands-on experience through project-intensive courses and research opportunities, with faculty actively involving students in applied research projects ranging from Federal Aviation Administration applications to pharmaceutical data analysis using machine learning algorithms.
Hakia Insight: Students at Rowan University benefit from active collaborations with Federal Aviation Administration and Civil Air Patrol, connecting classroom learning to the workforce.
Degree Programs
Research Labs & Institutes
Digital engineering methods, AI, and machine learning for cyberphysical systems
Immersive systems including 10-sided and 4-sided CAVE environments for VR experiences and AI model training
Visualization, Immersive, Virtual, Interactive Design for interactive media and simulation projects
Location Advantages
- •Proximity to Philadelphia tech corridor
- •Access to South Jersey tech and manufacturing firms
- •Strong connections to defense contractors in region
Industry Partners
Career Outcomes
Lockheed Martin, Accenture, Comcast, Boeing, JPMorgan Chase
Certifications & Designations
Admissions
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.
California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo Software Engineering Program Overview
Hakia ranks California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo as the #10 in software engineering degree program.
California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo's Software Engineering program embodies the institution's century-old "Learn by Doing" philosophy through hands-on curriculum that prepares students to design, build, and maintain software for everything from autonomous vehicles to entertainment systems. The Bachelor of Science in Software Engineering provides an in-depth study of computer science fundamentals combined with engineering methods in software design, emphasizing team-based development approaches and real-world problem solving. Students gain experience developing websites and mobile applications, writing operating system code for devices like autonomous vehicles, and working collaboratively across departments on practical projects. The program requires a mandatory internship and includes extensive lab experiences to ensure graduates possess both theoretical knowledge and practical skills needed to deliver quality software products on time and within budget.
Hakia Insight: California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo graduates earn $7,500,090,000, driven by the program's industry connections and hands-on software engineering curriculum.
Degree Programs
Research Labs & Institutes
Software quality, testing, and development practices
Location Advantages
- •Central Coast location with co-op and capstone partnerships spanning Bay Area tech firms (Apple, Google, SpaceX) and regional companies
- •Growing tech corridor in San Luis Obispo and nearby regions
Industry Partners
Career Outcomes
Google, Microsoft, Apple, Yahoo, IBM
Certifications & Designations
Admissions
Best Software Engineering Programs - Top 10 Online — Complete Program Data
#1. Carnegie Mellon University Software Engineering Program
Hakia ranks Carnegie Mellon University as the #1 in software engineering degree program. Location: Pittsburgh, PA | Type: Private | Tuition: $62,260/year | Graduation Rate: 98% | Score: 92.7
What makes Carnegie Mellon University stand out: 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.
Hakia Insight: Carnegie Mellon University leverages partnerships with Google and Facebook to offer students real-world project experience valued by employers.
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: MS in Software Engineering (1.5-2 years); Integrated MS/BS in Software Engineering (5 years total)
Research Labs: Software Engineering Institute (SEI) - Federally funded R&D center for software engineering, cybersecurity, and AI engineering
Industry Partners: Google, Facebook, Microsoft, VMWare, Amazon, IBM, Salesforce, Yahoo, SAP, PayPal, LinkedIn, Coursera, Cisco, NVidia, Tesla, Docker
Career Outcomes: | Top Employers: Google, Facebook, Microsoft, VMWare, Amazon, IBM, Salesforce, Yahoo, SAP, PayPal, LinkedIn, Coursera, Cisco, NVidia, Tesla, Docker
Notable Faculty: Prof. Hakan Erdogmus (Program Lead)
Admissions: GPA: 3.0 minimum for IMB pathway | Acceptance Rate: Not specified
#2. Northeastern University Software Engineering Program
Hakia ranks Northeastern University as the #2 in software engineering degree program. Location: Boston, MA | Type: Private | Tuition: $62,000/year | Score: 80.6
What makes Northeastern University stand out: 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.
Hakia Insight: Northeastern University's industry network — including Google and Microsoft — provides students with internship and hiring pathways.
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: BS in Computer Science (Software Engineering focus) (4 years); MS in Computer Science (1.5-2 years)
Research Labs: Network Science Institute - Discover fundamentally new ways to measure, model, predict, and visualize meaningful interactions and interconnectivity of social, physical, and technological systems; Cybersecurity and Privacy Institute - Security and privacy implications of online services, algorithmic fairness, bias, and data privacy
Industry Partners: Google, Microsoft, Amazon, Meta, Apple, Uber, Airbnb
Career Outcomes: Placement Rate: 95%+
Notable Faculty: David Kauchak (Machine learning and software systems); Christo Wilson (Software security and privacy)
Admissions: GPA: 3.0 minimum required
Accreditations: ABET accredited
#3. University of California-Irvine Software Engineering Program
Hakia ranks University of California-Irvine as the #3 in software engineering degree program. Location: Irvine, CA | Type: Public | Tuition: $11,834/year | Graduation Rate: 96% | Score: 69.7
What makes University of California-Irvine stand out: 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.
Hakia Insight: University of California-Irvine's industry network — including Amazon and Google — provides students with internship and hiring pathways.
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: Master of Software Engineering (MSWE) (15 months full-time, 24 months part-time); M.S. Software Engineering (MSSE) (2 years)
Research Labs: Software Engineering and Analysis Lab (SEAL) - Software engineering research and analysis; Software Engineering & Testing Using Artificial Intelligence for Reliable Software (STAIRS) - AI-enhanced software testing and reliability; California Institute for Telecommunications and Information Technology (Calit2) - Telecommunications and information technology research
Industry Partners: Amazon, Google, Microsoft, Meta
Career Outcomes: | Common Roles: Software Engineer, Programmer, Software Architect, Software Project Leader
Admissions:
#4. Iowa State University Software Engineering Program
Hakia ranks Iowa State University as the #4 in software engineering degree program. Location: Ames, IA | Type: Public | Tuition: $8,982/year | Graduation Rate: 99% | Score: 69.4
What makes Iowa State University stand out: 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.
Hakia Insight: Iowa State University graduates earn $7,000,080,000, driven by the program's industry connections and hands-on software engineering curriculum.
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: BS in Computer Science with Software Engineering specialization (4 years); MS in Computer Science with Software Engineering focus (2 years); PhD in Computer Science with Software Engineering focus (5–6 years)
Research Labs: Laboratory for Software Analytics and Pervasive Parallelism - Software engineering research and analytics; Laboratory for Software Safety - Software verification and safety-critical systems; Software Engineering Research Laboratory - Advanced software engineering methodologies; Scalable Software Engineering Research Laboratory - Large-scale software systems and scalability
Industry Partners: Microsoft, Google, Rockwell Automation, John Deere
Career Outcomes:
Notable Faculty: Robyn Lutz (Software safety, requirements engineering, and high-assurance systems)
Admissions: GPA: 2.00 minimum for Engineering Basic Program and Software Engineering Core
Accreditations: ABET Engineering Accreditation Commission
#5. Rochester Institute of Technology Software Engineering Program
Hakia ranks Rochester Institute of Technology as the #5 in software engineering degree program. Location: Rochester, NY | Type: Private | Tuition: $55,784/year | Graduation Rate: 90% | Score: 68.9
What makes Rochester Institute of Technology stand out: 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.
Hakia Insight: Through ties with Microsoft and Tesla, Rochester Institute of Technology bridges the gap between academic training and industry practice.
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: Software Engineering BS (4 years); Software Engineering MS (2 years); Software Engineering BS/MS Accelerated (5 years)
Research Labs: Artificial Intelligence Research Lab - Computer vision, robotics, virtual theatre, sensor networks, data mining; Computer Graphics and Visualization Lab - Advanced graphics programming, image synthesis, computer animation, virtual reality; Security Research Lab - Networking security, cryptography, secure databases
Industry Partners: Microsoft, Tesla, Boeing, Lockheed Martin, IBM, JPMorgan Chase & Co., U.S. Department of Defense, Alion Science and Technology, Bose, Collins Aerospace
Career Outcomes:
Admissions: GPA: 3.0 minimum recommended for MS program | Acceptance Rate: Not specified
#6. Western Governors University Software Engineering Program
Hakia ranks Western Governors University as the #6 in software engineering degree program. Location: Salt Lake City, UT | Type: Private | Tuition: $7,710/year | Score: 67.8
What makes Western Governors University stand out: WGU's competency-based, fully online software engineering program allows students to progress by demonstrating mastery rather than seat time, making it uniquely flexible for working professionals while maintaining employer-recognized rigor.
Hakia Insight: Through ties with Microsoft and Amazon Web Services, Western Governors University bridges the gap between academic training and industry practice.
Program Overview: WGU's software engineering program is architected around competency-based learning, meaning students progress by demonstrating mastery rather than sitting through a fixed semester schedule. This model appeals to working professionals and career-changers who need flexibility without sacrificing rigor—a student can accelerate through material they already know or spend additional time on challenging concepts. The curriculum covers full-stack development, cloud architecture, database design, and software security through a mix of interactive coursework, capstone projects, and industry-recognized certifications embedded within the degree. Because WGU operates as a fully online institution, the program attracts a geographically diverse student body and emphasizes asynchronous collaboration and remote-work-ready skills. The program maintains partnerships with major tech employers who recognize WGU graduates and actively recruit from the program, knowing the competency-based model produces job-ready software engineers. Mentor support is structured differently than traditional programs—each student works with a program mentor who guides their individual learning path, creates accountability, and helps connect academic progress to career goals. For those juggling work and education or seeking an accelerated path, WGU's approach flips the traditional model: you prove competency and move forward, rather than waiting for a cohort to finish a semester.
Degree Programs: BS in Software Engineering (2-4 years); MS in Software Engineering (1-2 years)
Industry Partners: Microsoft, Amazon Web Services
Career Outcomes: | Top Employers: Microsoft, Amazon, IBM | Common Roles: Software Engineer, Full-Stack Developer, Cloud Solutions Architect
Admissions:
Accreditations: AWS Certified Solutions Architect, Microsoft certifications embedded in curriculum
#7. San Jose State University Software Engineering Program
Hakia ranks San Jose State University as the #7 in software engineering degree program. Location: San Jose, CA | Type: Public | Tuition: $5,742/year | Graduation Rate: 100% | Score: 65.9
What makes San Jose State University stand out: 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.
Hakia Insight: San Jose State University graduates earn $8,500,095,000, driven by the program's industry connections and hands-on software engineering curriculum.
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: BS in Software Engineering (4 years); MS in Software Engineering (1.5–2 years)
Research Labs: Collaborative Research Laboratory - Software systems and distributed computing; Human-Computer Interaction Lab - User-centered software design
Industry Partners: Google, Apple, Cisco Systems, Adobe, Intel, eBay, PayPal
Career Outcomes: Placement Rate: 92%+
Notable Faculty: null (Software engineering practices and education)
Admissions: GPA: 3.0 minimum for classified standing, will consider as low as 2.75
Accreditations: ABET accredited
#8. Auburn University Software Engineering Program
Hakia ranks Auburn University as the #8 in software engineering degree program. Location: Auburn, AL | Type: Public | Tuition: $10,704/year | Graduation Rate: 81% | Score: 65.1
What makes Auburn University stand out: 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.
Hakia Insight: Through ties with Los Alamos National Laboratory and Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Auburn University bridges the gap between academic training and industry practice.
Program Overview: Auburn University's Computer Science and Software Engineering Department operates within the Samuel Ginn College of Engineering, offering both Bachelor of Science degrees in Computer Science and Software Engineering, plus a fully online Bachelor of Computer Science completion program. The department has positioned itself as a leader in artificial intelligence and cybersecurity education, with specialized Master's degrees in Artificial Intelligence Engineering, Cybersecurity Engineering, and Data Science & Engineering available in hybrid format. Faculty emphasize that graduates are 'not programmers, but designers and architects with the skills to apply advanced technology and tools of AI and Cybersecurity to design and build smart and secure software.' The program features strong industry connections through the Auburn Cyber Research Center and Auburn University Transportation Research Institute (AUTRI), where students work on real-world projects like transportation safety dashboards combining traffic and crash data across Alabama.
Degree Programs: Bachelor of Science in Computer Science (4 years); Bachelor of Software Engineering (4 years); Bachelor of Computer Science (Online Completion) (2 years); MS in Artificial Intelligence Engineering (2 years); MS in Cybersecurity Engineering (2 years)
Research Labs: Auburn Cyber Research Center - Cybersecurity research and education with national lab partnerships; Gavin Engineering Research Lab - Transportation safety research through Auburn University Transportation Research Institute; Auburn University Center for Artificial Intelligence and Cybersecurity Engineering - AI-driven cybersecurity solutions and digital age challenges
Industry Partners: Los Alamos National Laboratory, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Microsoft, Lockheed Martin, U.S. Air Force
Career Outcomes: | Top Employers: Accenture, Aflac, Auburn University, Bentley Systems, Capgemini, CGI, ExxonMobil, Hexagon, J.B. Hunt, Lockheed Martin, Manhattan Associates, Microsoft, NCR, OCV, Radiance Technologies, Torch Technologies, US Air Force, US Navy
Notable Faculty: Dr. Jeff Gray (Model-driven engineering, software automation, and domain-specific languages); Dr. Saad Biaz (Networking, embedded systems, and real-time software)
Admissions:
Accreditations: ABET accredited (ABET-EAC)
#9. Rowan University Software Engineering Program
Hakia ranks Rowan University as the #9 in software engineering degree program. Location: Glassboro, NJ | Type: Public | Tuition: $11,250/year | Graduation Rate: 97% | Score: 63.9
What makes Rowan University stand out: 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.
Hakia Insight: Students at Rowan University benefit from active collaborations with Federal Aviation Administration and Civil Air Patrol, connecting classroom learning to the workforce.
Program Overview: Rowan University offers software engineering education through multiple pathways within its robust computer science ecosystem. The flagship Bachelor of Science in Computer Science program includes a specialized Software Engineering concentration (C707), allowing students to select from advanced courses like Object Oriented Design, Database Systems, Human-Computer Interaction, and Software Engineering II. For graduate students, Rowan provides a comprehensive Master of Science in Computer Science program with a dedicated Software Design core area, featuring courses in Agile Software Engineering, Advanced Software Engineering, and Parallel Programming. The program operates from the College of Science & Mathematics on Rowan's Glassboro campus and maintains strong connections to the South Jersey Technology Park, providing students access to both academic rigor and industry partnerships. What sets Rowan's approach apart is its integration with cutting-edge research facilities and cross-disciplinary collaboration. Students can engage with the Digital Engineering Hub (DEHub), the Machine & Virtual Reality Center (MAVRC) featuring 10-sided and 4-sided CAVE systems, and the VIVID Lab for interactive media development. The program emphasizes hands-on experience through project-intensive courses and research opportunities, with faculty actively involving students in applied research projects ranging from Federal Aviation Administration applications to pharmaceutical data analysis using machine learning algorithms.
Degree Programs: BS Computer Science with Software Engineering Concentration (4 years); MS Computer Science (2 years); 4+1 Accelerated Dual Degree Program (5 years total)
Research Labs: Digital Engineering Hub (DEHub) - Digital engineering methods, AI, and machine learning for cyberphysical systems; Machine & Virtual Reality Center (MAVRC) - Immersive systems including 10-sided and 4-sided CAVE environments for VR experiences and AI model training; VIVID Lab - Visualization, Immersive, Virtual, Interactive Design for interactive media and simulation projects
Industry Partners: Federal Aviation Administration, Civil Air Patrol, Rowan School of Medicine, South Jersey Technology Park
Career Outcomes: | Top Employers: Lockheed Martin, Accenture, Comcast, Boeing, JPMorgan Chase | Common Roles: Software Developer, Quality Assurance Engineer, Systems Integration Engineer, Software Engineer
Admissions: GPA: 3.0 minimum for MS program
Accreditations: ABET accredited
#10. California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo Software Engineering Program
Hakia ranks California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo as the #10 in software engineering degree program. Location: San Luis Obispo, CA | Type: Public | Tuition: $5,742/year | Graduation Rate: 100% | Score: 63.9
What makes California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo stand out: 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.
Hakia Insight: California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo graduates earn $7,500,090,000, driven by the program's industry connections and hands-on software engineering curriculum.
Program Overview: California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo's Software Engineering program embodies the institution's century-old "Learn by Doing" philosophy through hands-on curriculum that prepares students to design, build, and maintain software for everything from autonomous vehicles to entertainment systems. The Bachelor of Science in Software Engineering provides an in-depth study of computer science fundamentals combined with engineering methods in software design, emphasizing team-based development approaches and real-world problem solving. Students gain experience developing websites and mobile applications, writing operating system code for devices like autonomous vehicles, and working collaboratively across departments on practical projects. The program requires a mandatory internship and includes extensive lab experiences to ensure graduates possess both theoretical knowledge and practical skills needed to deliver quality software products on time and within budget.
Degree Programs: BS in Software Engineering (4 years); BS Software Engineering + MS Computer Science (Blended) (5 years)
Research Labs: Software Engineering Lab - Software quality, testing, and development practices
Industry Partners: Google, Microsoft, Apple, Disney, DreamWorks, Electronic Arts, Intel, Adobe, Salesforce, JPL, Lawrence Livermore National Labs
Career Outcomes: Placement Rate: 93%+ | Top Employers: Google, Microsoft, Apple, Yahoo, IBM, SUN, Intel, Intuit, Amgen, Adobe, Salesforce, DreamWorks, Disney, Electronic Arts, Raytheon, Boeing, Cisco, HP, JPL, Saint Jude Medical, Lawrence Livermore National Labs
Notable Faculty: null (Software engineering practices, capstone project mentorship, and industry collaboration)
Admissions: GPA: 3.0 minimum for blended program participation
Accreditations: ABET Engineering Accreditation Commission
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 |
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Online Learning Formats Explained
Online Software Engineering programs offer multiple learning formats to accommodate different schedules and learning preferences. Understanding these formats helps you choose a program that fits your lifestyle.
Synchronous (Live) Learning:
- Real-time video lectures at scheduled times (often evenings/weekends)
- Live interaction with professors and classmates
- Immediate Q&A and discussion; feels most like traditional classroom
- Requires reliable internet and schedule commitment
Asynchronous (Self-Paced) Learning:
- Pre-recorded lectures watched on your schedule
- Weekly deadlines but flexible daily timing
- Discussion forums replace live interaction
- Ideal for working professionals with irregular schedules
Hybrid/Blended Programs:
- Combines online coursework with periodic in-person sessions
- Typically 1-2 weekend residencies per semester
- Best of both worlds: flexibility plus networking opportunities
- Often required for programs with lab components
How to Verify Accreditation
Accreditation verification is critical when choosing an online Software Engineering program. Degrees from unaccredited institutions may not be recognized by employers or other universities. According to the Council for Higher Education Accreditation, only properly accredited degrees qualify for federal financial aid and professional licensure.
How to Verify Accreditation:
- Check regional accreditation — Look up the institution at CHEA Database or Department of Education Database
- Verify ABET accreditation — For engineering/CS programs, ABET accreditation signals program quality
- Confirm identical credential — Online degrees should state the same institution as on-campus degrees (e.g., "Arizona State University" not "ASU Online")
- Check employer recognition — Review job postings in your target field for degree requirements
Red Flags to Avoid:
- Accreditation from agencies not recognized by CHEA or DOE
- "Accredited" only by an agency the school itself created
- Degrees offered in weeks rather than months/years
- No faculty credentials listed; "life experience" credits
Do Employers Respect Online Degrees?
Employer perception of online Software Engineering degrees has shifted dramatically. According to a SHRM survey, 83% of HR managers now view online degrees from accredited institutions as equivalent to traditional degrees—up from 50% a decade ago.
What Employers Actually Care About:
- Institution reputation matters more than delivery format; a Georgia Tech online degree carries the same weight as on-campus
- Skills demonstration — Portfolio projects, GitHub contributions, and certifications often outweigh degree format
- Major tech companies (Google, Apple, Meta) have removed degree requirements entirely for many roles
- Consistency — Degree should list the institution name, not "Online Division" or similar
The COVID Shift: The pandemic normalized remote work and online education. Gallup research shows that 72% of executives who managed remote teams reported equal or higher productivity, reducing stigma around online credentials.
Best Practice: Don't mention "online" on your resume—simply list the degree and institution. If asked in interviews, emphasize the rigor and self-discipline required for online study.
Technology Requirements
Online Software Engineering programs require specific technology to participate effectively. Meeting these requirements before enrollment prevents frustrating technical issues during coursework.
Minimum Hardware Requirements:
- Computer — Windows 10/11 or macOS 10.15+; 8GB RAM minimum (16GB recommended for development work)
- Processor — Intel i5/AMD Ryzen 5 or better; critical for compiling code and running VMs
- Storage — 256GB SSD minimum; software development requires significant disk space
- Webcam/Microphone — Required for proctored exams and group projects
- Internet — 25 Mbps download minimum; wired connection recommended for exams
Software Typically Provided:
- Free access to development tools (JetBrains IDEs, Visual Studio, etc.) via student licenses
- Cloud computing credits (AWS, Azure, GCP) — typically $100-$500 per course
- Virtual lab environments for networking, security, or systems courses
- Collaboration tools (Slack, Microsoft Teams, Zoom) included with enrollment
Proctored Exams: What to Expect
Most online Software Engineering programs use proctored exams to ensure academic integrity. Understanding what to expect reduces test anxiety and technical issues.
Common Proctoring Methods:
- AI-proctored (ProctorU, Examity) — Software monitors via webcam; flags suspicious behavior for human review
- Live proctored — Real person watches via video throughout the exam
- Lockdown browser — Prevents accessing other applications; may combine with AI monitoring
- In-person testing centers — Some programs offer or require local testing site options
Preparing for Proctored Exams:
- Test your setup early — Run system checks 24-48 hours before; most services offer practice sessions
- Prepare your environment — Clean desk, good lighting, no one else in room, pets secured
- Valid ID required — Government-issued photo ID; check name matches enrollment exactly
- Stable internet — Wired connection preferred; have phone hotspot as backup
- Know the rules — No headphones, no leaving frame, no reading questions aloud (varies by exam)
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.
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
Software Engineering Career Track
+$25K avg salary increase·9 months
- Curriculum designed by Colt Steele, industry veteran
- 1-on-1 mentorship from industry professionals
- Money-back job guarantee
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Frequently Asked Questions
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.
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.
Taylor Rupe
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.