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Computer Engineering Schools and Programs in The United States

76 schools in The United States teach Computer Engineering.

  • Grove City College

    University Grove City, The United States In an official register

    Grove City College, created in 1876 is a leading college in America. The teaching method is centered majorly on Christian life and on improving students’ academic and moral life. The college is one of the most popular liberal arts colleges, and contains advanced…

  • Gulf Coast State College

    Vocational school Panama City, The United States In an official register

    Gulf Coast State College (GCSC), listed here under its former name Gulf Coast Community College, is one of Florida's public colleges. Its main campus lies by the water in Panama City, Florida. It also has the North Bay Campus in Southport, a public-safety training site for…

Computer Engineering Studies in The United States

Computer engineering sits between electrical engineering and computer science. Students learn how computers and the devices built around them work, from circuits and chips to operating systems and embedded software. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), computer hardware engineers research, design, develop and test computers and related equipment, and bachelor's programmes include coursework and laboratory work in subjects such as circuit design and computer and operating systems organisation. SpainExchange lists 76 colleges and universities in the United States that teach computer engineering.

How the degree is organised

The usual first degree is a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Computer Engineering, or a combined degree in electrical and computer engineering. A bachelor's degree usually takes four years of full-time study, and each university sets the number of credits needed to graduate. The University of Washington, for example, offers a Bachelor of Science in Electrical and Computer Engineering (BSECE) with pathways such as computer architecture, digital systems design and embedded systems.

The two main graduate degrees are the master's degree, which usually takes about two years, and the PhD. Many universities offer a combined bachelor's and master's route: Purdue University has a 4+1 BS/MS programme, and Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) a dual bachelor's and master's option. Some employers require or prefer a master's degree in computer engineering, according to BLS.

Accreditation

In the United States, academic accreditation is voluntary and carried out by non-governmental organisations. For engineering, the main body is ABET, which accredits individual programmes, not whole universities, at associate, bachelor's and master's level. ABET states that it accredits 4,863 programmes at 950 colleges and universities in 42 countries, and that its accreditation is a form of quality assurance, not a ranking. Universities usually publish which of their programmes are accredited; the University of Washington, for example, has a page on the ABET accreditation of its BSECE. This is separate from the accreditation of the institution itself: EducationUSA notes that a school certified to admit international students may not hold national or regional accreditation.

Admission, language and costs

Teaching is in English, and universities require an English proficiency test before admission. BLS advises a solid background in mathematics and science for students preparing for a computer or electrical engineering major. Each university sets its own requirements, so its international admissions page is the reference; EducationUSA advises starting the search 12 to 18 months before the planned start. For a full degree, international students need a student visa: once accepted by a school certified by the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP), the international student office issues the Form I-20 used in the visa application.

According to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), average tuition and fees at 4-year institutions in 2022-23 were $9,800 at public institutions and $40,700 at private nonprofit institutions. The public figure is the in-state rate, so check what each university charges non-residents. Starting at a community college, which is usually cheaper, can lower the total cost of a bachelor's degree.

Where to study computer engineering

Baltimore and Boston have the most schools in this directory (three each), followed by Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, Miami, Denver, St. Louis and Dayton (two each). The list includes large public universities such as Purdue University, the University of Michigan, the University of Washington and the Georgia Institute of Technology, whose School of Electrical and Computer Engineering describes itself as one of the largest producers of electrical and computer engineers in the world; private universities such as Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, Northeastern University in Boston and Stanford University; technical institutes such as WPI and SUNY Polytechnic Institute; and community colleges such as Broward College in Florida.

Careers

Graduates work as hardware engineers, embedded systems engineers, chip designers and software developers. Computer hardware engineers typically need a bachelor's degree in computer engineering or a related field such as electrical engineering. BLS projects their employment to grow 9% from 2025 to 2035, with about 4,100 openings a year; the largest single employer group is semiconductor and electronic component manufacturing, with 24% of these engineers. Employment of software developers, quality assurance analysts and testers is projected to grow 10% over the same period.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between computer engineering and computer science?

Computer engineering combines electrical engineering and computing and includes hardware such as circuits and processors. Computer science focuses on software, algorithms and theory.

How long does a computer engineering degree take in the United States?

A bachelor's degree usually takes four years of full-time study. Combined bachelor's and master's programmes, such as Purdue's 4+1 BS/MS, add about one year.

Why does ABET accreditation matter?

ABET accreditation shows that a specific engineering programme meets the quality standards set by the profession. It applies to programmes, not to whole universities, so check the programme you plan to study.

Can international students work while studying?

According to EducationUSA, international students may work on campus up to 20 hours a week in their first year, with permission from the international student office.