Computer engineers work with computer hardware, software, artificial intelligence (AI), networks, and more. They often have degrees in Electrical and Computer Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science and Engineering, or Computer Science, depending on the college they attended. Here’s a rundown of what college engineers do, how you can become one, and some top schools you should consider if it sounds like the career for you.
What Do Computer Engineers Do?
You can often find computer engineers in the telecommunications, technology, engineering, gaming, entertainment, and related industries, working directly with computers. However, they can also be found in finance, energy, environment, automation, and transportation industries.
Computer engineers have technical knowledge of both computer hardware and software design, hardware-software integration, computer science, electrical engineering, physics. They may specialize in specific areas, preferring to concentrate in one area, including hardware, software engineering, software programing, networking, AI, and robotics.
In the day to day, depending on the job and their specialization, computer engineers could design hardware and software, integrate components, test and solve problems, research, and document the project and related coding. Jobs can be found in businesses, organizations, government agencies, nonprofits, and more.
Top Careers for Computer Engineers
There are countless jobs with computers to explore depending on your specialization and passion. Here are just a few jobs that you can pursue with a degree in computer engineering, including their median salaries, major options, required degrees, and projected job growth between 2022 and 2032.
- Architectural and Engineering Managers
- Median salary: $165,000
- Job growth: 4.1%
- Required degree: Bachelor’s
- Other related majors: Mechanical Engineering, Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Civil Engineering
- Computer Hardware Engineers
- Median salary: $138,000
- Job growth: 4.5%
- Required degree: Bachelor’s
- Other related majors: Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Computer Hardware Engineering
- Software Developers
- Median salary: $132,000
- Job growth: 25.7%
- Required degree: Bachelor’s
- Other related majors: Computer Science, Information Technology, Computer Software Engineering
- Database Architects
- Median salary: $134,000
- Job growth: 10%
- Required degree: Bachelor’s
- Other related majors: Computer Science, Computer and Information Sciences, Information Technology
- Computer Network Architects
- Median salary: $129,000
- Job growth: 3.6%
- Required degree: Bachelor’s
- Other related majors: Computer and Information Sciences, Information Technology, Computer Systems Analysis
- Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers
- Median salary: $101,000
- Job growth: 20.3%
- Required degree: Bachelor’s
- Other related majors: Computer and Information Sciences, Information Technology, Computer Science
- Engineering Teachers, Postsecondary
- Median salary: $106,000
- Job growth: 9.2%
- Required degree: Doctorate
- Other related majors: Mechanical Engineering, Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Civil Engineering
How Do You Become a Computer Engineer?
Most computer engineers earn at least their bachelor’s in Computer Engineering, Electrical and Computer Engineering, Computer Science and Engineering, Computer Science, or similar. Colleges can refer to these programs by different names.
For more prestigious, higher paying, and advanced jobs, you may have to get a master’s or a doctorate. However, this depends entirely on your career field. For example, while a majority of Architectural and Engineering Managers only have a bachelor’s degree (48%), 30% have their master’s. On the other hand, Computer Network Architects mostly have bachelor’s (42%), but more in this career have some college (21%) or an associate’s (16%) than those who have a master’s (14%). Less than 1% of Computer Network Architects have a doctorate.
Even if you don’t pursue education beyond your bachelor’s, you’ll likely have to regularly earn and renew certifications to remain in compliance with any industry requirements. Computer engineering and related fields are constantly evolving and regular training and education is the only way to keep up. Required certifications depend on your field, but even if they’re not required, you could become eligible for higher pay by continuing to advance your education and skills.
Top Schools for Future Computer Engineers
The major “Computer Engineering” goes by various names, depending on the school, but here are the top five in 2025 that currently offer “Computer Engineering.”
- Duke University
- Location: Durham, NC
- Enrollment: 18,023
- Acceptance rate: 7%
- Georgia Institute of Technology – Main Campus
- Location: Atlanta, GA
- Enrollment: 45,296
- Acceptance rate: 16%
- University of Illinois Urbana – Champaign
- Location: Champaign, IL
- Enrollment: 56,916
- Acceptance rate: 44%
- Ohio State University – Main Campus
- Location: Columbus, OH
- Enrollment: 60,540
- Acceptance rate: 51%
- Purdue University – Main Campus
- Location: West Lafayette, IN
- Enrollment: 51,528
- Acceptance rate: 50%
If you love working with computers, whether it’s hardware or software, and want to make a career out of it, consider pursuing a job as a computer engineer. Most positions only require a bachelor’s degree and some certifications, so you can enter the field right after earning your bachelor’s. Many careers, especially in software, are expected to see significant growth over the next few years, so it’s the perfect time to explore the industry.
Want to learn more about the potential majors you can take to become a computer engineer? Our Major Search tool makes it simple to find areas of study, top schools that offer those degrees, and more. Use it today for free!
