Computer Engineering graduates earn $109,015 four years out. Related careers are growing at up to 15.8%, one of the stronger demand signals across all fields. Software Developer is among the highest-growth roles in the field.
Computer Engineering is a focused area of study within Engineering. Graduates typically earn around $109,015 four years out, a strong return for a focused credential. The program is available at 418 colleges across the U.S., from community colleges to research universities. About 18,973 students complete this program each year, most earning a bachelor's. Coursework leans technical and quantitative, with lab or project work common.
Median Earnings · 1yr
$79,205
Median Earnings · 4yr
$109,015
Colleges Offering
418
Graduates / Year
18,973
Avg Net Price / yr
$21,361
How Much Do Computer Engineering Graduates Earn?
Computer Engineering graduates earn $109,015 four years out, well above average for college graduates. The middle 50% of earners fall between $86,299 and $145,170. Earnings typically jump significantly in the first few years. The one-year figure of $79,205 climbs to $109,015 by year four.
$79,205
1 Year After Graduation
Earnings grow steadily as you advance past entry-level roles. The four-year figure is a better long-term target.
$109,015
4-Year National Median
Well above average for college graduates.
$105,753
4-Year Institutional Median
Median of per-school medians. Each reporting college counts equally, regardless of size.
Earnings Range
There is a wide earnings spread across Computer Engineering graduates. Sector is the biggest factor. Tech companies and finance firms tend to pay significantly more than government, education, or nonprofit employers in this field.
$86,29925th pct.
$109,015Median
$145,17075th pct.
Why This Program Pays Off Fast
Strong ROI. At median 4-year earnings of $109,015 against an estimated $85,444 four-year net cost, most graduates break even against baseline wages in under two years.
Based on outcomes from 381 schools.
Colleges with fewer than 30 graduates are excluded from national averages.
Who Studies This? Credential Breakdown
Of the 18,973 students who complete Computer Engineering programs each year, the majority (64%) earn a bachelor's degree.
The breakdown below shows the full credential distribution.
64%31%
Bachelor's64%
Master's31%
Doctorate2%
What Can You Do With a Computer Engineering Degree?
Computer Engineering connects to 7 occupations in the job market. Architectural & Engineering Manager leads at $171,270/yr median. Expand any card to see daily responsibilities, in-demand skills, and 10-year growth projections.
Reading ComprehensionCritical ThinkingComplex Problem SolvingActive ListeningWriting
Day-to-day responsibilities
Research, design, develop, or test computer or computer-related equipment for commercial, industrial, military, or scientific use. May supervise the manufacturing and installation of computer or computer-related equipment and components.
Update knowledge and skills to keep up with rapid advancements in computer technology.
Design and develop computer hardware and support peripherals, including central processing units (CPUs), support logic, microprocessors, custom integrated circuits, and printers and disk drives.
Confer with engineering staff and consult specifications to evaluate interface between hardware and software and operational and performance requirements of overall system.
Critical ThinkingJudgment and Decision MakingReading ComprehensionComplex Problem SolvingCritical Thinking
Day-to-day responsibilities
Design strategies for enterprise databases, data warehouse systems, and multidimensional networks. Set standards for database operations, programming, query processes, and security. Model, design, and construct large relational databases or data warehouses. Create and optimize data models for warehouse infrastructure and workflow. Integrate new systems with existing warehouse structure and refine system performance and functionality.
Develop and document database architectures.
Collaborate with system architects, software architects, design analysts, and others to understand business or industry requirements.
Develop database architectural strategies at the modeling, design and implementation stages to address business or industry requirements.
ProgrammingCritical ThinkingJudgment and Decision MakingReading ComprehensionActive Learning
Day-to-day responsibilities
Research, design, and develop computer and network software or specialized utility programs. Analyze user needs and develop software solutions, applying principles and techniques of computer science, engineering, and mathematical analysis. Update software or enhance existing software capabilities. May work with computer hardware engineers to integrate hardware and software systems, and develop specifications and performance requirements. May maintain databases within an application area, working individually or coordinating database development as part of a team.
Analyze user needs and software requirements to determine feasibility of design within time and cost constraints.
Develop or direct software system testing or validation procedures, programming, or documentation.
Confer with systems analysts, engineers, programmers and others to design systems and to obtain information on project limitations and capabilities, performance requirements and interfaces.
Critical ThinkingReading ComprehensionProgrammingSystems EvaluationComplex Problem Solving
Day-to-day responsibilities
Design and implement computer and information networks, such as local area networks (LAN), wide area networks (WAN), intranets, extranets, and other data communications networks. Perform network modeling, analysis, and planning, including analysis of capacity needs for network infrastructures. May also design network and computer security measures. May research and recommend network and data communications hardware and software.
Develop disaster recovery plans.
Develop or recommend network security measures, such as firewalls, network security audits, or automated security probes.
Develop and implement solutions for network problems.
Teach courses pertaining to the application of physical laws and principles of engineering for the development of machines, materials, instruments, processes, and services. Includes teachers of subjects such as chemical, civil, electrical, industrial, mechanical, mineral, and petroleum engineering. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.
Conduct research in a particular field of knowledge and publish findings in professional journals, books, or electronic media.
Prepare course materials, such as syllabi, homework assignments, and handouts.
Evaluate and grade students' class work, laboratory work, assignments, and papers.
Develop and execute software tests to identify software problems and their causes. Test system modifications to prepare for implementation. Document software and application defects using a bug tracking system and report defects to software or web developers. Create and maintain databases of known defects. May participate in software design reviews to provide input on functional requirements, operational characteristics, product designs, and schedules.
Identify, analyze, and document problems with program function, output, online screen, or content.
Document software defects, using a bug tracking system, and report defects to software developers.
Develop testing programs that address areas such as database impacts, software scenarios, regression testing, negative testing, error or bug retests, or usability.
Top Colleges for Computer Engineering
The 20 colleges below are ranked by how many Computer Engineering students they graduate each year. Scroll right to compare acceptance rate, net price, and median earnings side by side.
Decide with data, not guesswork. These tools turn the numbers on this page
into a personal plan. Estimate the real cost of a Computer Engineering program, compare colleges side-by-side, weigh the long-term payoff, and find
schools that match your profile.
Strong earnings and positive career growth make Computer Engineering a solid option. The 4 strengths and 1 trade-offs below are data-sourced from College Scorecard, BLS, and IPEDS.
PROS
Strong median salaryGraduates earn $109,015 nationally four years out, placing this field above most degree programs in the country.
Strong salary growthMedian earnings climb from $79,205 at graduation to $109,015 four years later, a clear sign of career momentum in this field.
Fast-growing fieldRelated careers are projected to grow up to +15.8% over the next decade, with Software Developer among the fastest-growing roles.
Strong hiring volumeRelated occupations generate more than 167,700 job openings per year combined, creating consistent demand for graduates.
CONS
Advanced degree often expectedTop roles in this field typically expect a master's degree or higher. A bachelor's may be a starting point rather than a terminal credential for the most competitive positions.
Computer Engineering graduates earn a national median of $109,015 four years after completing their program. The middle 50% of earners fall between $86,299 and $145,170. Where you land typically depends on employer, role, and location.
What is the starting salary for a Computer Engineering degree?
One year after graduation, Computer Engineering degree holders earn a median of $79,205. That climbs to $109,015 four years out. The biggest salary jumps typically come once you move past entry-level roles.
What jobs can you get with a Computer Engineering degree?
Computer Engineering degree holders pursue careers including Architectural & Engineering Manager, which pays a median of $171,270/yr. Scroll down to the Career Paths section to see wages and job growth projections for every related occupation.
How long does a Computer Engineering program take?
A Computer Engineering bachelor's degree typically takes four years of full-time study. Community colleges offer associate programs in two years for students who want a faster path into the workforce.
How many colleges offer Computer Engineering?
418 colleges and universities in the United States offer Computer Engineering programs. Options range from community colleges with certificates and associate degrees to research universities with doctoral tracks.
Is a Computer Engineering degree worth it?
With a median 4-year salary of $109,015 and an average net price of roughly $21,361/yr, a Computer Engineering degree can pay off well, especially at lower-cost schools and in high-demand roles. Use the Top Colleges section below to compare specific programs before deciding.
What is the difference between Computer Engineering and Engineering?
Computer Engineering is a focused concentration within the broader Engineering field. The Engineering major covers the full discipline; this program narrows the curriculum to Computer Engineering-specific courses, skills, and career tracks. If you already know this is the direction you want, the specialized program gives you a more targeted credential.
What skills do employers look for in Computer Engineering graduates?
Employers hiring Computer Engineering graduates consistently prioritize analytical thinking, technical proficiency, and data interpretation. Employers typically prioritize candidates who can demonstrate hands-on project or internship experience alongside their coursework.
Is graduate school worth it for Computer Engineering graduates?
In STEM fields, a master's degree can accelerate advancement into research, leadership, or senior engineering roles and often adds $15,000 to $40,000 in long-term earning potential, depending on specialization. The right answer depends on your career goals, program cost, and whether your target role explicitly rewards an advanced credential.
What is the job outlook for Computer Engineering graduates?
The job outlook for Computer Engineering graduates is strong overall. Related occupations project an average of +9.4% job growth over the next 10 years. Software Developer is among the strongest-growth roles at +15.8%. Growth varies by role and location, so check the Career Paths section for projections on each specific occupation.
Related Engineering Programs
Other programs in Engineering. Compare earnings, credentials, and career paths before committing to a specialization.
Free, data-backed guides to help you decide, built on the same federal data as this profile.
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Original data analyses built on the same federal data as this profile. Rankings, outliers, and patterns, no opinions.
Does Engineering Tech Out-Earn Engineering? The Data Says No
A popular claim holds that the applied engineering-tech degree pays more than the theoretical one. Across every program, engineering wins by about $10,000.
Engineering tech
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STEM Is Not One Thing: The Pay Gap Within STEM
Across 88 STEM programs the top one out-earns the bottom by $65,000 a year. Operations research pays $122,531; environmental design pays $57,461.
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Major choice
The Highest-Paying Degrees in America, by Program
At the program level, federal data ranks specific fields of study by pay. Law leads at $142,745, more than double the typical program, and engineering takes 7 of the top 15 spots.
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