Engineering
Computer Engineering
Prepares you to apply mathematical and scientific principles to the design, development and operational evaluation of computer hardware and software systems and related equipment and facilities; and the analysis of specific problems of computer applications to various tasks.
Inside the major
Programs within this field
Colleges may offer this field under 4 more specific program names. The program you choose affects the courses you take.
- Computer Engineering, General
- Prepares you to apply mathematical and scientific principles to the design, development and operational evaluation of computer hardware and software systems and related equipment and facilities; and the analysis of specific problems of computer applications to various tasks.
- Computer Hardware Engineering
- Prepares you to apply mathematical and scientific principles to the design, development, and evaluation of computer hardware and related peripheral equipment. Covers computer circuit and chip design, circuitry, computer systems design, computer equipment design, computer layout planning, testing procedures, and related computer theory and software topics.
- Computer Software Engineering
- Prepares you to apply scientific and mathematical principles to the design, analysis, verification, validation, implementation, and maintenance of computer software systems using a variety of computer languages. Covers discrete mathematics, probability and statistics, computer science, managerial science, and applications to complex computer systems.
- Computer Engineering, Other
- Computer engineering not listed above.
Also called Computer Systems Engineering
Also called Internet of Things
Where it can lead
Careers this field can lead to
Explore related careers, starting with the closest connections and the occupations hiring the most people.
Software Developers
- Median pay
- $135,980
- Hiring change through 2035
- 10.2%
- Job openings a year
- 95,300
To get hiredBachelor's degree
Explore this career GrowingArchitectural and Engineering Managers
- Median pay
- $171,270
- Hiring change through 2035
- 5.5%
- Job openings a year
- 14,900
To get hiredBachelor's degree
Explore this career GrowingSoftware Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers
- Median pay
- $104,300
- Hiring change through 2035
- 5.7%
- Job openings a year
- 10,700
To get hiredBachelor's degree
Explore this career GrowingComputer Network Architects
- Median pay
- $134,050
- Hiring change through 2035
- 7.7%
- Job openings a year
- 9,600
To get hiredBachelor's degree
Explore this career GrowingEngineering Teachers, Postsecondary
- Median pay
- $109,270
- Hiring change through 2035
- 7.8%
- Job openings a year
- 3,900
To get hiredDoctoral or professional degree
Explore this career Growing fastComputer Hardware Engineers
- Median pay
- $161,740
- Hiring change through 2035
- 9.1%
- Job openings a year
- 4,100
To get hiredBachelor's degree
Explore this career Growing fastDatabase Architects
- Median pay
- $139,500
- Hiring change through 2035
- 9.4%
- Job openings a year
- 3,900
To get hiredBachelor's degree
Explore this careerAll work is projected to grow 3.5% between 2025 and 2035; read every hiring-change figure against it. The figures beside each career are the pay of that work, across everyone doing it. Graduates of this field earn $70,204 one year after completing the program, which is the start of a career rather than the shape of one.
Working style
How and where the work happens
Related careers can feel very different from one another. Compare the specific occupations to understand the work each one involves.
Few of the careers connected to this field are measured as substantially in-person or active work. Compare the specific occupations to see how much time each one involves with people, equipment, and movement.
College options
Where to study it
Ordered by how many degrees each college awards in this field. Sort by any numbered column.