January 10, 2018April 24, 2020By Justin Boyle
Software engineers provide the crucial link between computer software and hardware that enable computers and applications to interact and function. They design and develop many different kinds of software, including computer operating systems - that's why many of the colleges featured here offer degrees in computer engineering rather that software engineering. Software engineers must fully understand the principles of computer engineering, as they often are required to perform work in both disciplines - computer software programs and systems can't be properly developed without a fundamental understanding of the complex relationships between computer hardware and software. Students interested in campus-based or online software engineering degrees can use the information compiled here to gain insight into 10 of the best colleges that offer computer and software computer engineering degree programs, as well as scholarship information, career outlooks, and professional certifications that often are required by prospective employers. Our Partner Listings The colleges and universities below represent 10 of the top schools for software engineering degree programs. Students should review the institutions ranked here for program offerings and other key information about the 10 best software engineering degree programs from U.S. colleges and universities. We used many different data points provided by the National Center for Education Statistics and a unique methodology to generate this list. Read on to learn more about these featured institutions, or click the button below to learn more about how this list was created. Download Badge Methodology 1Wichita State University+ Admission Rate 96% Graduation Rate 47.03% Number of Degrees Offered N/A Number of Degrees Conferred N/A At least 1 program offered N/A Additional Info The top institution in these rankings is a public research university headquartered at the largest city in the state of Kansas. The university offers several computer-related degree programs for students interested in careers as software engineers. The electrical engineering and computer science department at Wichita State University offers a Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees in computer engineering, and a Ph.D. in electrical engineering and computer science. The undergraduate program allows students to pursue many different electives that will hone their skills in computer networking and electrical engineering. In their senior year, students work with a team of peers to complete a real-world engineering project. Several factors help Wichita State University head our list of top colleges for software engineering degree programs. It has the second-lowest cost of in-state tuition at $7,528, and the highest admission rate — 95 percent — of any institution in these rankings. Additional Info 2Iowa State University+ Admission Rate 91% Graduation Rate 74.72% Number of Degrees Offered 1 Number of Degrees Conferred 85 At least 1 program offered Yes Additional Info This public institution located at Ames created its software engineering bachelor's degree in 2007 as a bridge program between the college of engineering and college of liberal arts and sciences. Students gain expertise in engineering, computer science and mathematics with the goal of designing, developing and evaluating software. Curriculum also provides fundamental education in the configuration and installation of computer systems, and building and developing the lifecycle of software systems. It's one of the fastest-growing majors at the university with enrollment of 573 students in spring of 2017. Iowa State University ranks second here due to its high graduation and admissions rates and favorable cost of in-state tuition - $7,736 - as compared to other institutions in these rankings. Additional Info 3Missouri University of Science and Technology+ Admission Rate 84% Graduation Rate 62.72% Number of Degrees Offered N/A Number of Degrees Conferred N/A At least 1 program offered N/A Missouri S&T is located at Rolla, a city midway between Springfield and St. Louis. The university has one of the oldest computer science programs in the U.S. Study options for prospective software engineers includes bachelor's or master's degrees in electrical and computer engineering and engineering management and systems engineering. The computer engineering program emphasizes all aspects of computer hardware and software. Curriculum is designed to be a bridge between hardware and software so graduates are proficient in both aspects of the field. The undergraduate degree requires a minimum of 128 credit hours for completion. Missouri S&T had the second-best admissions rate of any institution in our rankings at 88 percent, as well as the third-highest number of students enrolled in distance education programs. Additional Info 4San Jose State University+ Admission Rate 55% Graduation Rate 64.91% Number of Degrees Offered 2 Number of Degrees Conferred 436 At least 1 program offered Yes Additional Info With its proximity to the heart of Silicon Valley, it is little wonder the founding campus of the California State University System makes our rankings in the fourth spot. SJSU boasts the lowest cost of in-state tuition of any university in our top 10, and it also had the highest number of software engineering and related degree conferred to students. San Jose State University offers both Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees in software engineering. The bachelor's degree pathway requires 120 credits to complete, while the master's degree requires an additional 30 credits. Curriculum in both programs includes instruction in enterprise software, software engineering and computer engineering. Companies throughout Silicon Valley seek out graduates of the university's software engineering and computer engineering programs. Additional Info 5North Dakota State University+ Admission Rate 93% Graduation Rate 57.59% Number of Degrees Offered 3 Number of Degrees Conferred 25 At least 1 program offered Yes This public research university in Fargo has an annual enrollment of more than 14,000 students. NDSU offers an undergraduate program in computer engineering, and graduate programs in the following: The undergraduate program provides instruction in computer hardware, software and hardware-software integration. Graduate-level curriculum provides study in computer programming, as well as the techniques, methodologies and tools students need to manage the entire lifecycle of software programs and integrated software systems. The M.S. in software engineering is a coursework, examination and research program, while the other master's program focuses solely on coursework. North Dakota State University had the second-highest admissions rate of any university in our top 10. Additional Info 6The University of Texas at Dallas+ Admission Rate 69% Graduation Rate 72.34% Number of Degrees Offered 3 Number of Degrees Conferred 98 At least 1 program offered Yes This public research university is headquartered at Richardson, which is about 20 miles north of downtown Dallas. The university is part of the University of Texas System and enrolls more than 27,600 students each year. The university's department of computer of science offers Bachelor of Science degrees in both computer engineering and software engineering. Both programs are grounded in the fundamentals of mathematics, including calculus, discrete mathematics and linear algebra. Both programs also provide instruction in core computer science, programming methodologies, algorithms, operating systems and data structures. The software engineering program continues with further education in software validation, testing and architecture, and it culminates with a capstone project in software engineering techniques. The university also offers a graduate program in software engineering and a Doctor of Philosophy degree in software engineering. Additional Info 7California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo+ Admission Rate 30% Graduation Rate 81.74% Number of Degrees Offered 1 Number of Degrees Conferred 58 At least 1 program offered Yes Additional Info Cal Poly SLO is located in California's stunning Central Coast region. The university's department of computer science and software engineering offers Bachelor of Science degrees in both computer engineering and software engineering. The software engineering program began in 2003 and was the first of its kind in California. The program emphasizes computer science fundamentals, as well as technical and team management skills. Students learn not only the technical challenges of large-scale systems development but the people skills necessary to work as part of a collaborative group of engineers and developers. Cal Poly SLO had the second-highest graduation rate of any college in our top 10. However, competition for admissions is extremely fierce - the university had the lowest admissions rate of any institution in our rankings. Additional Info 8University of California-Merced+ Admission Rate 66% Graduation Rate 66.15% Number of Degrees Offered N/A Number of Degrees Conferred N/A At least 1 program offered N/A The University of California's newest member institution is located in the heart of the state's Central Valley region. Just under 8,000 students were enrolled at the university for the 2017-2018 academic year. University of California at Merced offers an undergraduate degree in computer science and engineering that provides a well-rounded educational path for prospective software engineers. Curriculum provides students with education in the fundamentals of computing and mathematics. Graduates of the program are expected to be able to design, implement and evaluate computer systems, processes and software programs, as well as work collaboratively with a professional team. The university lands in the eighth spot in these rankings based on a solid graduation rate and acceptable 18:1 student to faculty ratio. Additional Info 9Michigan Technological University+ Admission Rate 74% Graduation Rate 68.43% Number of Degrees Offered 1 Number of Degrees Conferred 15 At least 1 program offered Yes Our ninth institution is a public research university overlooking Portage Lake in the city of Houghton, which is located in Michigan's Upper Peninsula region. Michigan Technological University offers a Bachelor of Science degree in computer engineering that requires 128 total credits to complete. Students with an eye toward becoming project managers can pursue an enterprise concentration that develops their business and leadership skills. The computer engineering program focuses on end-to-end design and integration of computer hardware and software. Graduates of the program have a 98 percent job placement rate within six months of their completion date. Michigan Technological University also offers master's and doctoral degrees in computer engineering. The university admits as many as 75 percent of all applicants. It also had the lowest student to faculty ratio of any institution featured here at 12:1. Additional Info 10University of California-San Diego+ Admission Rate 30% Graduation Rate 85.9% Number of Degrees Offered N/A Number of Degrees Conferred N/A At least 1 program offered N/A Rounding out our featured list of colleges with on-campus and online software engineering degrees is this public research university located at La Jolla. More than 36,400 students enrolled at UC San Diego in fall of 2017. The university's Jacobs School of Engineering was created in 1965. Software engineers can pursue a bachelor's or master's degree in electrical and computer engineering. The programs are built upon the fundamentals of applied mathematics and engineering physics. Curriculum includes a number of hands-on software systems courses, such as rapid hardware and software design. University of California at San Diego had the highest graduation rate of any college in these rankings at 87 percent. Additional Info Source: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) 2018-19, National Center for Education Statistics, http://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/ Students who complete software engineering degree programs have a well-rounded education in computer hardware, software construction and project leadership. They also typically gain skills in computer programming and learn one or more programming languages. A bachelor's degree typically is the minimum educational obtainment, though many students pursue master's or even doctoral degrees in software engineering. Below is a snapshot of common career paths for students who enroll in software engineering degree programs. Bachelor's Degrees in Software Engineering Graduates of bachelor's degree programs in software engineering are expected to design and engineer innovative software systems that often include the mechanical and electrical components that interact with software - that's why many software engineering programs are deeply rooted in computer engineering as well. Other factors that come into play in work environments include strong analytical skills, creativity to develop and implement new software, and excellent interpersonal skills since developers routinely work as part of a larger team. Software engineer Develops computer programs, as well as the underlying systems that control computer systems and devices. Engineers typically control the entire development cycle of software programs. Applications developer Designs computer applications, games and custom software solutions. Often creates highly complex database programs, as well as applications for use in cloud computing Systems developer Develops the software that allows computer to function, including standard operating systems and specialty systems. Also develops interface that allows users to operate the computer The explosion of the smartphone, among other factors, is one reason why employment for software developers is expected to rise by 24 percent through 2026. That's more than three times the national average for all occupations. The growing trend of consumer products such as household electronics incorporating software into their operating functions will create additional demand for software developers. Job prospects will be best for software engineers who know multiple computer languages and have professional certifications. JOB TITLE AVERAGE SALARY($) EMPLOYMENT PROJECTED JOB GROWTH(%) Source: 2019 Occupational Employment Statistics and 2018-28 Employment Projections, Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS.gov. NOT WHAT YOU ARE LOOKING FOR? Similar ProgramsComputer ProgrammingNetwork AdministrationComputer ScienceInformation Systems SecurityVideo Game DevelopmentWeb Development Federal financial aid is just one avenue students can seek to help pay for tuition costs. There are many software engineering scholarships as well. San Jose State University's Alumni Association offers many different scholarships for undergraduate and graduate students. The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers also offers a variety of scholarships and grants for students. Many tech corporations, such as Microsoft and Google, offer various technical scholarships as well. Generation Google Scholarship Applicant must be a student from an underrepresented group (African American, Hispanic, American Indian, Female). Must intend to or be currently enrolled full-time at a university majoring in computer engineering, computer science, software engineering, or a related program. Must demonstrate leadership and commitment to computer science and technology through involvement with the community. Resume, transcripts, four essay responses, and two letters of reference required.More AWARD AMOUNT $10,000 APPLICATION DEADLINE 15-Jan Google SVA Scholarship Applicant must be a currently enrolled full-time veteran or active duty undergraduate or graduate student pursuing a degree in computer engineering or computer science. Resume, copy of current transcripts, two letters of reference, three essays, and DD 214 or Active Duty orders and Memorandum of Understanding from commanding officer required.More AWARD AMOUNT $10,000 APPLICATION DEADLINE 27-Jan Recycling Research Foundation's National Scholarship Applicants must be pursuing a graduate level degree, be a U.S. citizen and have a minimum 2.5 GPA. The program is open to those seeking a graduate degree in a program that supports the scrap processing and recycling industry as a whole. The industry itself is both labor and mechanically intensive as scrap processors take old and new metals, paper, rubber, plastic, glass and more, and sort it into established grades which are highly sought after by manufacturers. The challenges of recycling on the scale of 200 billion pounds a year has given rise to new and innovative technologies as the recycling industry adapts to an ever changing marketplace of goods.More AWARD AMOUNT $5,000 APPLICATION DEADLINE 1-Jun SAME Scholarship Applicant must be a graduating high school senior or current undergraduate student who is pursuing (or intending to pursue) a degree in an engineering field or related technical sciences, including architecture, mathematics, physics, chemistry, or earth sciences.More AWARD AMOUNT $4,000 APPLICATION DEADLINE 13-Mar Demonstrates basic knowledge and understand needed to develop software products. Candidates demonstrate proficiency in the four key areas of software requirements, design, construction and testing. Candidates have mastery of 11 key areas of software engineering, as well as a four-year degree and four years of relevant work experience Methodology To be included in these rankings, all schools must meet the following initial criteria for the specific subject being ranked. Based on those criteria, we ranked all 2-year and 4-year schools in IPEDS that reported data for all of the following points. Ratings are calculated on a 10-point scale, using the weights specified. XBest Colleges for Software Engineering Degree Programs
Software Engineering Degree Programs and Common Career Paths
Career Outlook for Software Engineering Majors
Software Developers and Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers $111,620 1,406,870 25.6% Web Developers and Digital Interface Designers $82,370 148,340 13% Computer and Information Systems Managers $156,390 433,960 11.3% Network and Computer Systems Administrators $88,410 354,450 4.7% Financial Aid and Scholarships in Software Engineering
Professional Organizations
View Sources
Sources
- Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) 2016-17, National Center for Education Statistics, http://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/
- Most Recent Cohorts (All Data Elements): 2016-17, College Scorecard, U.S. Department of Education, https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/data/
- Computer Engineering, Wichita State University, http://www.wichita.edu/thisis/home/major.asp?u=eecs&m_sysid=56
- Software engineering, Iowa State University, http://www.se.iastate.edu/about-se
- Computer Engineering, Missouri University of Science & Technology, http://ece.mst.edu/media/academic/ece/documents/academicprograms/factsheetsforcpeee/BS%20CpE-Brochure_July%202014_Complete.pdf
- Software Engineering, San Jose State University, http://info.sjsu.edu/web-dbgen/catalog/departments/CMPE-section-2.html
- Software Engineering, North Dakota State University, https://bulletin.ndsu.edu/graduate/programs/software-engineering/
- Undergraduate studies, Department of Computer Science, University of Texas at Dallas, http://cs.utdallas.edu/education/undergraduate/
- B.S. in Software Engineering, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, https://csc.calpoly.edu/programs/
- Computer Science and Engineering, University of California-Merced, https://engineering.ucmerced.edu/academics/undergraduate-programs/computer-sciences-and-engineering-cse
- Computer Engineering, Michigan Technological University, http://www.mtu.edu/ece/undergraduate/computer/
- Computer Engineering, University of California San Diego, http://ece.ucsd.edu/faculty-research/ece-research-areas/computer-engineering
- Software Developer, Occupational Outlook Handbook, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, https://www.bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/software-developers.htm#tab-2
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FAQs
Which university is best for software engineering? ›
- 1 Covenant university.
- 2 Obafemi Awolowo University, Ife.
- 3 Babcock University.
- 4 University of Nigeria, Nsukka.
- 5 Federal University of Technology, Akure.
- 6 University of Lagos.
- 7 University of Ilorin.
- 8 University of Ibadan.
- Bachelor of Science in Software Engineering. Featured. ...
- Bachelor in Software Engineering. Featured. ...
- B.Sc. Software Development. ...
- BEng Honours Computer Systems Engineering. ...
- BSc Computer Science. ...
- Software Development and Entrepreneurship (Professional Higher Education) ...
- BEng Software Engineering. ...
- BSc (Hons) Computing (Top Up)
“Most software engineers start with a bachelor's degree in software engineering, computer science, or a software-oriented information technology program,” Overmyer said. Applicable work experience also helps.
What GPA do software engineers need? ›GPA Requirements
The MS Software Engineering program is looking for students that have achieved a GPA of at least 3.0 (or equivalent) but will consider applicants that have GPAs as low as 2.75 (or equivalent).
Yes, software engineering can be somewhat hard to learn initially – especially for those without programming or coding skills or any background or knowledge of tech – but there are many courses, tools, and other resources available to help people learn to become a Software Engineer.
Is majoring in software engineering worth it? ›Yes, software engineering and computer science degrees are likely to lead to a high-paying job. More and more companies are looking to hire talented Software Engineers, so this career track is growing more quickly than average job growth.
Who earns more software engineer or developer? ›An average annual salary of a Software Developer is Rs. 493,576 per year in India while that of a Software Engineer is Rs. 523,770 per year.
How many years does it take to become a software engineer? ›It usually takes four full-time years to earn a BS in software engineering — the industry standard for entry-level positions.
What education do I need to become a software engineer? ›Required Education for Software Engineers
Most employers prefer or require software engineers to hold at least a bachelor's degree in a relevant discipline like software engineering, computer science, information technology, or computer and information systems.
The key difference are that: Software Engineering has more requirements in electrical engineering and software engineering fundamentals, such as software testing, design, and software requirements specification. Computer Science allows more electives in higher-level computer science courses.
Does software engineer require a lot of math? ›
Despite its name, software engineering does not require math. At least, it doesn't require as much math as you might think. There are numbers and problem-solving, but you won't have to break out your AP Calculus certificate or trigonometry textbook to program—or engineer—software.
Do you need calculus to be a software engineer? ›Yes. If you look at a list of required coursework for a degree in software engineering, you'll typically see Calculus I-III, Differential Equations, Discrete Mathematics, Linear Algebra, and other advanced math classes.
Can a average student become software engineer? ›Yes, an average can do CSE. Computer Science Engineering (CSE) is a branch of Engineering which deals with programming and is completely software side. It depends mainly on coding. If you are interested in coding then you can go with CSE.
What major is most paid for IT? ›- Bachelor of Science in Computer Science. ...
- Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering. ...
- Bachelor of Science in Information Systems. ...
- Bachelor's in Mathematics. ...
- Bachelor of Science in Game Development. ...
- Bachelor's in Business Administration.
Usually, a GPA of 3.0 - 3.5 is considered good enough at many high schools, colleges, and universities.
What degree is best for an IT job? ›- Information Technology and Information Systems.
- Computer Science.
- Information Science.
- Systems & Network Administration.
- Software Engineering.
- Computer Engineering.
- Cybersecurity.
Based on a small survey of 350 respondents, some 70.3 percent of developers said they were happy at work, versus 14.4 percent who said they were unhappy, and 15.3 percent who claimed indifference.
Does software engineering pay well? ›According to Glassdoor, software engineering has been ranked as the second-highest paying entry-level position for freelancers with a median base salary of around $90,000 per year.
What is the hardest engineer degree? ›The teams can sometimes consist of people in the same building, and sometimes they are spread across the country or the world. Some software engineers work in an office but others travel to their client's business.
Is software engineering a fun career? ›
If you're considering software development as a degree choice, the good news is that it can be a great deal of fun for those who love puzzles, problem solving, and technology. Here's a brief look at what a software developer does and the type of person who would be most enjoy working in this profession.
Do software engineers write a lot? ›You will write every day
One such truth for software engineers: our jobs involve an awful lot of writing. Here are a few types of writing that I've done daily or weekly for the last decade: Discussing technical implementations through chat apps like slack. Writing Bug Reports.
It is not uncommon for a software engineer to have a myriad of programming tasks with strict deadlines. As such, they spend long hours at work and the chronic stress level ultimately makes them highly prone to burnout.
Do software engineers make 1 million? ›Software engineering is one of the best paid fields to work in. It's definitely possible for Software Engineers to become millionaires.
How long do software engineers stay at their first job? ›A fairly normal number I've seen thrown around is to stay with your company for two years. This gives you enough time to build compelling relationships with others, you can complete a few projects, and your salary shouldn't stagnate.
What subjects do you need to study software engineering? ›Computing and IT are the most important subjects to study, but other technical subjects like physics and design technology may also be useful.
How much does it cost to study software engineering? ›There are living expenses, transportation, and insurance costs that add to the fee. This means on average, it can cost $100,000 to become a software engineer through traditional software engineering degrees.
Where should I start if I want to become a software engineer? ›The traditional way to become a software engineer is by earning a bachelor's or master's degree in computer science or a similar discipline. A master's degree isn't required to work as a software engineer, but it can be helpful for career-changers and those who want to advance their knowledge of the field.
What classes do software engineers take in college? ›Courses that you'll take include Computer programming, Program design, Computer Systems analysis, and more. You'll also probably be required to take several math courses as well. In college, you should continue to build your portfolio by engaging with software engineering outside of classes.
What coding do you need for software engineering? ›
Simply put, if you're looking to get into software engineering, you'll need to know C and C++. Not to be confused with the web-page development focused JavaScript, Java is a widely used software programming language at the core of many programs, applications, web-pages and systems.
Which engineering has highest salary? ›- Civil Engineer. ...
- Mechanical Engineer. ...
- Industrial Engineer. ...
- Biomedical Engineer. ...
- Electrical Engineer. ...
- Chemical Engineer. ...
- Software Engineer. ...
- Computer Engineer.
The average salary for a computer scientist is $103,643 per year in the United States. The average salary for a software engineer is $107,932 per year.
What's the difference between a software engineer and a programmer? ›Software Engineer: A software engineer works as a part of a whole team of engineers and oversees each phase in development. Programmer: A programmer often works independently, but receives project guidelines from developers. Their involvement is typically limited to one stage of development.
Which country is best for studying software engineering? ›Switzerland, Canada, and Australia are considered the top three countries to work as a software engineer. Therefore, studying software engineering abroad is the perfect choice for students interested in an overseas xperience.
Which country is good for software engineering? ›Which country has the highest demand for software engineers? Overall, software development is the most in-demand profession in the world. According to PageGroup, the countries with the highest demand for software developers are Canada, Australia, Russia, Sweden, and New Zealand.
Which university is best for software engineering UK? ›- University of Oxford. UCAS points. ...
- Imperial College London. UCAS points. ...
- Lancaster University. UCAS points. ...
- The University of Edinburgh. UCAS points. ...
- University of Southampton. UCAS points. ...
- University of Birmingham. UCAS points. ...
- University of Glasgow. ...
- Queen's University Belfast.
Software engineering is challenging to learn from scratch — but with a bootcamp, even industry newcomers can build a strong knowledge base and ready themselves for an entry-level role quickly if they are willing to put in the time, hard work, and dedication.
Which country is No 1 in software? ›China. China is home to many of the fastest growing IT companies and produces as many as 4.7 million tech graduates every year.
Who is the highest paid software engineer? ›- Mobile Developer. ...
- 6. Development Operations Engineer. ...
- Site Reliability Engineers. ...
- Software Architect. ...
- Enterprise Architect. ...
- Software Engineering Manager. ...
- Technical Program Managers. ...
- Chief Technology Officer (CTO)
Where do software engineers get paid the most? ›
| Total Software Engineer Jobs: | 6,948 |
|---|---|
| Average Annual Salary: | $112,080 |
| Lowest 10 Percent Earn: | $81,000 |
| Highest 10 Percent Earn: | $153,000 |
| Location Quotient: | 2.42 You can read more about how BLS calculates location quotients here |
- Maths.
- Computer science.
- Physics.
- Engineering.
- Chemistry.
It's a high-paying and growing field, there are plenty of jobs, and workers report positive job satisfaction. The average salary of software development specialists clocks in at $110,140, with more experienced software developers earning $140,470 a year on average.