- 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 Western Governors University, San Jose State University, University of California-Irvine based on graduation rates, program strength, and career outcomes
- 3.Best value: Western Governors University offers software engineering education at $7,710/year
- 4.50 accredited Software Engineering programs analyzed using IPEDS 2023 completion data
Best Software Engineering Programs - Top 10 Best Value
Western Governors University
679 software engineering graduates annually
Why Ranked #1
Ranked #1 for Software Engineering based on 679 graduates, and overall score of 77/100. Data from IPEDS 2023 and BLS OES 2024.
Program Strengths
- 679 software engineering graduates annually
- Accredited institution
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.
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
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
Farmingdale State College
129 software engineering graduates annually
DePaul University
127 software engineering graduates annually
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.
Best Software Engineering Programs - Compare Top 5 Best Value
| School | Location | Type | Tuition | Grad Rate | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 Western Governors University | Salt Lake City, UT | Private | $7,710 | N/A | 77/100 |
| #2 San Jose State University | San Jose, CA | Public | $5,742 | 1% | 69.7/100 |
| #3 University of California-Irvine | Irvine, CA | Public | $11,834 | 96% | 68.6/100 |
| #4 California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo | San Luis Obispo, CA | Public | $5,742 | 1% | 68/100 |
| #5 Rochester Institute of Technology | Rochester, NY | Private | $55,784 | 90% | 63.6/100 |
Top 25 Best Value Software Engineering Programs 2026
| Rank | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Western Governors University | Salt Lake City, UT | $7,710 | — | — | — | — |
| 2 | San Jose State University | San Jose, CA | $5,742 | — | — | — | — |
| 3 | University of California-Irvine | Irvine, CA | $11,834 | — | — | — | — |
| 4 | California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo | San Luis Obispo, CA | $5,742 | — | — | — | — |
| 5 | Rochester Institute of Technology | Rochester, NY | $55,784 | — | — | — | — |
| 6 | Rowan University | Glassboro, NJ | $11,250 | — | — | — | — |
| 7 | Iowa State University | Ames, IA | $8,982 | — | — | — | — |
| 8 | Farmingdale State College | Farmingdale, NY | $7,070 | — | — | — | — |
| 9 | DePaul University | Chicago, IL | $43,379 | — | — | — | — |
| 10 | The University of Texas at Dallas | Richardson, TX | $14,564 | — | — | — | — |
| 11 | University of Miami | Coral Gables, FL | $58,104 | — | — | — | — |
| 12 | Auburn University | Auburn, AL | $10,704 | — | — | — | — |
| 13 | Utah Valley University | Orem, UT | $5,614 | — | — | — | — |
| 14 | Chapman University | Orange, CA | $62,400 | — | — | — | — |
| 15 | Brigham Young University | Provo, UT | $6,496 | — | — | — | — |
| 16 | Stevens Institute of Technology | Hoboken, NJ | $58,680 | — | — | — | — |
| 17 | University of Michigan-Dearborn | Dearborn, MI | $14,544 | — | — | — | — |
| 18 | Southwestern College | Winfield, KS | $38,330 | — | — | — | — |
| 19 | Green River College | Auburn, WA | $4,074 | — | — | — | — |
| 20 | California State University-San Marcos | San Marcos, CA | $5,742 | — | — | — | — |
| 21 | Arizona State University Digital Immersion | Scottsdale, AZ | $11,308 | — | — | — | — |
| 22 | Dominican University of California | San Rafael, CA | $49,821 | — | — | — | — |
| 23 | Milwaukee School of Engineering | Milwaukee, WI | $46,385 | — | — | — | — |
| 24 | Ashford University | San Diego, CA | $12,240 | — | — | — | — |
| 25 | Morehouse College | Atlanta, GA | $27,984 | — | — | — | — |
Showing 1–25 of 50
Best Value Software Engineering Programs Overview
Software engineering offers exceptional return on investment among technical fields, with median salaries of $130,160 and 25% projected job growth through 2032. However, program costs vary dramatically - from $9,000 annually at top public universities to over $60,000 at private institutions.
Our value analysis combines tuition costs, graduation rates, and career outcomes data from IPEDS 2023 and BLS 2024 to identify programs offering the highest return on educational investment. We examined 234 ABET-accredited software engineering programs, analyzing total 4-year costs against 10-year career earnings to calculate net ROI.
Public universities consistently deliver superior value, with in-state students at institutions like Georgia Tech, Virginia Tech, and NC State achieving 10-year ROI exceeding $600,000. These programs combine affordable tuition with strong industry partnerships and excellent graduate outcomes.
Key factors driving program value include graduation rates above 80%, student-faculty ratios under 18:1, strong alumni networks in major tech markets, and industry collaboration through internship programs. Programs in tech hubs like Atlanta, Austin, and Research Triangle Park offer additional advantages through local job market access and networking opportunities.
Career Paths
Software Developer
SOC 15-1252Design, develop, and maintain software applications and systems
DevOps Engineer
SOC 15-1299Bridge development and operations teams, manage CI/CD pipelines
Data Scientist
SOC 15-2051Extract insights from complex datasets using statistical and machine learning techniques
Cybersecurity Analyst
SOC 15-1212Protect organizational data and systems from security threats
AI/ML Engineer
SOC 15-1299Develop and deploy artificial intelligence and machine learning systems
Top Value Programs by State
California
Texas
New York
Florida
Washington
Illinois
Pennsylvania
Georgia
North Carolina
Virginia
Maximizing Financial Aid and Reducing Costs
Software engineering students have access to numerous financial aid opportunities including federal grants, state programs, and industry-specific scholarships. Complete the FAFSA early to maximize aid eligibility, and research state-specific programs that may reduce tuition costs further.
Many employers offer tuition reimbursement programs for employees pursuing relevant degrees. Technology companies including Google, Microsoft, Amazon, and others provide up to $5,250 annually in education benefits. Consider working part-time in tech roles while completing your degree.
Merit-based scholarships are abundant for high-achieving students. Many programs offer automatic scholarships based on GPA and test scores, while others require separate applications. Research scholarships for women in technology and other demographic-specific programs that may apply to your situation.
Program Selection Framework
- You qualify for in-state tuition at a top-ranked public university
- Cost minimization is your primary concern
- You want proven ROI with payback periods under 4 years
- Strong industry connections in your region are available
- Your home state lacks strong software engineering programs
- You want access to major tech markets (Austin, Seattle, Silicon Valley)
- You can afford higher tuition for better career opportunities
- Regional job market advantages justify additional cost
- You prefer smaller class sizes and more individualized attention
- Specialized curriculum areas match your career interests
- Premium employer relationships justify higher costs
- Financial aid packages make private schools competitive with public
- You need flexible scheduling for work or family commitments
- Geographic constraints limit access to quality programs
- Cost reduction through eliminated housing/transportation expenses
- You have strong self-directed learning skills
Frequently Asked Questions
Based on 234 programs from IPEDS 2023, BLS OES May 2024
Software Engineering degree completions indicating program size, faculty, and resources
6-year completion rate from IPEDS 2023 (4-year institutions weighted higher)
Admission rate from IPEDS 2023 (lower = more selective)
State-specific software engineering salaries from BLS OES 2024
Data Sources & Methodology
Tuition costs, graduation rates, enrollment data from 234 accredited software engineering programs
Salary data for software developers (SOC 15-1252) and related occupations
Graduate earnings data and employment outcomes
Accreditation status verification for software engineering programs
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.