With 10,704 bachelor’s degrees conferred in 2018-2019, Computer Engineering is the #49 most popular major in the country. Because choosing the appropriate college is one of the most significant decisions you’ll ever make, we’ve created the Highest Paid CE Graduates rating, as well as a number of other major-related rankings, to assist you.
For this year’s Highest Paid Computer Engineering Graduates ranking, we looked at 108 colleges that offer a bachelor’s in CE.
In this ranking, we use early career salaries – salaries 10 years from when a student started college. This is the salary typically earned 4-6 years after graduation, but may be different depending on how long a person takes to complete their degree.
Comparing Average Salaries of Computer Engineering Majors
The average computer engineering major who graduates from a school in the United States earns about $67,013 per year during the early years of their career. This means that graduates with bachelor’s degrees in this field make 68% more than the average college graduate salary of $39,802.
University of Washington – Seattle Campus
Seattle, WA41BACHELOR’S DEGREES$112,300AVERAGE SALARY$13,304AVERAGE STUDENT DEBT
University of Washington – Seattle Campus earned the #1 spot in our 2021 rankings. Located in the city of Seattle, UW Seattle is a public school with a very large student population. CE majors who obtain their bachelor’s from the school make an average salary of $112,300.
The average amount in student loans that CE majors at UW Seattle take out while working on their bachelor’s is $13,304. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $118.
University of Washington – Bothell Campus
Bothell, WA8BACHELOR’S DEGREES$112,300AVERAGE SALARY$13,304AVERAGE STUDENT DEBT
The #2 spot in this year’s ranking belongs to University of Washington – Bothell Campus. UW Bothell is a moderately-sized public school located in the large suburb of Bothell. CE majors who obtain their bachelor’s from the school make an average salary of $112,300.
The average amount in student loans that CE majors at UW Bothell take out while working on their bachelor’s is $13,304. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $118.
University of Virginia – Main Campus
Charlottesville, VA45BACHELOR’S DEGREES$83,200AVERAGE SALARY$17,151AVERAGE STUDENT DEBT
University of Virginia – Main Campus landed the #10 spot in our 2021 rankings for highest paid computer engineering school. Located in the suburb of Charlottesville, University of Virginia is a public college with a fairly large student population. Upon graduating with a bachelor’s degree, CE majors make an average salary of $83,200.
The average amount in student loans that CE majors at University of Virginia take out while working on their bachelor’s is $17,151. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $200.
Duke University
Durham, NC119BACHELOR’S DEGREES$95,200AVERAGE SALARY$10,692AVERAGE STUDENT DEBT
Duke University landed the #3 spot in our 2021 rankings for highest paid computer engineering school. Duke is a fairly large private not-for-profit school located in the large city of Durham. The average salary for a student who gets a bachelor’s degree in CE from the school is $95,200.
After completing their bachelor’s degree, CE graduates from Duke carry an average student debtload of $10,692. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $104.
Santa Clara University
Santa Clara, CA74BACHELOR’S DEGREES$93,300AVERAGE SALARY$21,425AVERAGE STUDENT DEBT
Our rankings recognize Santa Clara University as the #4 school in this year’s rankings. Located in the city of Santa Clara, SCU is a private not-for-profit school with a moderately-sized student population. The average salary for a student who gets a bachelor’s degree in CE from the school is $93,300.
After completing their bachelor’s degree, CE graduates from SCU carry an average student debtload of $21,425. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $254, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.
California Polytechnic State University – San Luis Obispo
San Luis Obispo, CA141BACHELOR’S DEGREES$88,200AVERAGE SALARY$21,390AVERAGE STUDENT DEBT
The #5 spot in this year’s ranking belongs to California Polytechnic State University – San Luis Obispo. Cal Poly San Luis Obispo is a fairly large public school located in the suburb of San Luis Obispo. Students who receive their bachelor’s in CE from the school go on to jobs that make an average salary of $88,200.
While working on their bachelor’s, CE majors at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo accumulate an average of around $21,390 in student debt. When it comes time to repay the loan, graduates who are on a 10-year repayment plan pay an average monthly payment of $252.
Northeastern University
Boston, MA97BACHELOR’S DEGREES$88,000AVERAGE SALARY$24,587AVERAGE STUDENT DEBT
Northeastern University comes in at #6 in this year’s ranking. Located in the large city of Boston, Northeastern is a private not-for-profit school with a fairly large student population. Students who receive their bachelor’s in CE from the school go on to jobs that make an average salary of $88,000.
On average, CE graduates from Northeastern take out $24,587 in student loans while working on their bachelor’s degree. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $291.
Rose – Hulman Institute of Technology
Terre Haute, IN60BACHELOR’S DEGREES$84,900AVERAGE SALARY$22,441AVERAGE STUDENT DEBT
Our rankings recognize Rose – Hulman Institute of Technology as the #9 school in this year’s rankings. Rose – Hulman Institute of Technology is a small private not-for-profit school located in the small city of Terre Haute. Upon graduating with a bachelor’s degree, CE majors make an average salary of $84,900.
CE majors at Rose – Hulman Institute of Technology take out an average of $22,441 in student loans while working on their bachelor’s degree. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $275, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.
There is quite a wide spectrum of salaries earned by computer engineers, and this can vary from the area of the industry that they are in, to the experience that they have on the job. Computer engineers with experience have salaries ranging anywhere from $86,000 to $136,000, so it’s really coming down to the type of computer engineer you’re hiring and their expertise. Network engineers have the best options, and while you may not NEED a degree, the better the education, the more of a salary that can be commanded. Engineers can also climb the career ladder in their company, which means more money later on.
As stated above, computer engineers are in high demand. Merely software development jobs are expected to rise 17% until 2024, and hardware engineering jobs are not far behind. With cloud computing and VoIP services expanding at a rapid pace, additional job prospects are certain to follow.
At the moment, hardware engineers earn anywhere from $84,600 to $135,840 per annum, depending on the actual position and years of experience. Median pay of a computer engineer is $102,450 per annum – 106% higher than the average salary in the U.S. New graduates can expect a salary from $61,000 to $76,000. Median pay for software engineers is $102,280 per annum; new graduates can expect to earn $56,856. Median pay of a computer scientist is $103,160 per annum; new graduates can expect to earn $56,800.
These are among the highest starting salaries nationwide, not to mention that computer engineering jobs offer by far best advancement prospects. Network engineers have most options. The profession doesn’t necessarily require a degree, as there are numerous certificates to be obtained. Quite often, it is the company itself that finances such undertakings. Thus, the engineers get to gradually advance to senior positions.
What do computer engineers do? Broadly speaking, computer engineering is a mixture of computer science and electrical engineering. Everything from designing software/systems/networks to implementing algorithms to security maintenance is the job of a computer engineer. Meeting the technological and administrative needs of the industry is the final goal, but this definition may well be applied to various other professions, too.
Here we need to go back to the question what is computer engineering. Among others, computer engineers may specialize in operating systems, computer networks, information systems, computer architecture, computer design and engineering, and software.
There is a number of sub-branches to choose from. The usual prerequisite for a computer engineer is a Bachelor’s degree, but in actual fact this is just the beginning. Most computer engineers have advanced degrees and/or have acquired additional certification. Most popular specializations include power management, thermodynamics, digital logical design, and processor interfacing.
As for the role of a computer engineer, it encompasses various activities undertaken to maximize system operations. From system design and maintenance to installing and updating software to all necessary adjustments and modifications to networks and systems- everything falls under computer engineers’ range of expertise.
Perhaps the most demanding role of the job is – actual communication. Namely, computer engineers are often required to provide assistance across the board, which includes their less technically knowledgeable colleagues. In large companies, computer engineers often communicate directly with clients and vendors – the task that calls for impeccable active listening skills.
Performing operation analyses is another important aspect of the job. Computer engineers must be, first and foremost, decisive. Mere decision making is only small part of it all; the engineer must also communicate information to supervisors and help them make the right choice in any given situation. Engineers’ ideas are priceless; no successful project development phase has been brought to a satisfactory end without their say.
As you can see, it is not only the skill set that defines a good computer engineer. Rather, it is a fine mixture of character, interpersonal skills, technical knowledge, and psychology that makes a professional truly outstanding.
Introverts need not despair. Computer and network engineers often work remotely, communicating via email and other online means. Nowadays, online marketplaces are the first stop for job seekers and outsourcers alike. The good news is: there is just the place for computer engineers. Enter Field Engineer, a specialized online platform connecting engineers with employers worldwide. No matter your location or engineering field of choice, you will be able to find your dream job there. Field Engineer is fully automated; it only takes a few minutes to set the skill set and upload your credentials. From then on, it’s up to them. You will keep getting job alerts on a daily basis. Take your time choosing away, for their offer is truly impressive.
Is Computer Engineering a Good Career Choice?
One of the best things about a career as a computer engineer is the choice and vast career options that are available to you. No matter which area of study you engage with, there will always be work. To be a computer engineer, you need to have higher education, whether this is in the form of a degree or other certifications. This can come with a certain prestige, in that you are working a career that you have put a lot of time, money and effort into to achieve where you are right now.
Computer engineers are in extremely high demand no matter where they work in the grand scheme of technology, and their salaries reflect that handsomely. We are living in a digital world these days, and if you’re wondering what does computer engineering do, all you have to do is look in your own house. The engineers out there are maintaining your Wifi connections, your fiber optic cables and when your computer breaks, they’re fixing it for you. We need computer engineers to function properly in today’s world; it’s easy to forget that!
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