Computer Engineering

10 schools compared · Average earnings $47,746/yr

Quick Facts: Computer Engineering Training

Where it's offered

Computer Engineering programs are offered at 10 schools across 10 states. Most students attend a school within driving distance of home — use the state picker below to see programs near you.

Earnings expectations

Graduates earn approximately $47,746/year on average one year after completion, per the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard. Pay scales with experience, certifications, and regional cost-of-living.

Apprenticeship pathways

There are no Department of Labor registered apprenticeship pathways currently mapped to Computer Engineering, but related trades may have programs — check apprenticeship.gov directly.

Program quality benchmark

Across the 10 schools we analyze, the average TradeSchoolOutlook Score is 47/100. Higher-scoring programs combine strong graduate earnings, manageable cost, and strong job-market demand — see the leaderboard further down for the highest-rated options.

What Computer Engineering Graduates Do

Your career in computer engineering will likely begin on a software development or quality assurance team. You’ll spend your days writing and refining code in languages like Python or JavaScript, using collaboration tools like Git to manage changes. You might be hunting down bugs logged in a system like Jira or designing automated tests to prevent them. As you gain experience, you’ll progress from executing tasks to designing entire systems and leading projects. This path from a junior developer to a senior engineer or architect brings significant salary growth, with top specialists and managers earning well into the six figures.

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The demand for these skills is incredibly strong, with some of the fastest-growing job markets available. While AI tools are changing the field, they are not replacing engineers. AI is becoming a powerful assistant, automating routine coding and testing tasks. This shift allows you to focus on the more complex, human-centric work: understanding user needs, designing robust system architecture, and solving unique problems. Success in this field now includes mastering AI tools to become a more efficient and creative problem-solver.

If Computer Engineering doesn't fit your goals, programs like Electrical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, and Engineering Science draw from adjacent skill sets.

Schools Offering
10
Avg Grad Earnings
$47,746/yr
Avg TradeSchoolOutlook Score
47/100

Find Computer Engineering Programs in Your State

Trade and community college programs are local decisions — most students pick a school within driving distance. Computer Engineering is offered at 10 schools across 10 states. Click your state to see all trade programs offered locally.

Browse all 10 Computer Engineering programs ranked by graduate outcomes →

Top Computer Engineering Programs Nationally

For context, here are the highest-scoring Computer Engineering programs in the country. Most students attend a school within 60 miles of home, so your state list above is usually more actionable — but these are the benchmarks others compete against.

10 schools ranked by TradeSchoolOutlook Score. Click any row for full earnings projections and career analysis.

# School Score Earnings ROI
1 Boise State University
Boise, ID
78
70–81
$77,403/yr 87.1x
2 Rasmussen University-Minnesota
St. Cloud, MN
62
50–65
$48,263/yr 32.1x
3 Rasmussen University-Wisconsin
Green Bay, WI
61
50–64
$48,263/yr 29.1x
4 Rasmussen University-North Dakota
Fargo, ND
60
49–63
$48,263/yr 27.4x
5 Rasmussen University-Illinois
Rockford, IL
60
49–63
$48,263/yr 25.7x
6 Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology
Lancaster, PA
60
52–62
$48,257/yr 25.7x
7 Rasmussen University-Florida
Ocala, FL
59
48–62
$48,263/yr 22.9x
8 Rasmussen University-Kansas
Topeka, KS
59
48–62
$48,263/yr 22.5x
9 Miller-Motte College-Chattanooga
Chattanooga, TN
52
43–55
$31,111/yr
10 Miller-Motte College-STVT-Arlington
Arlington, TX
52
43–55
$31,111/yr

Highest Earning Computer Engineering Programs

Schools where Computer Engineering graduates earn the most in their first year after graduation.

Best ROI for Computer Engineering

Schools with the highest earnings-to-tuition ratio for Computer Engineering.

School ROI Multiple Earnings Score
Boise State University 87.1x $77,403/yr 78
Rasmussen University-Minnesota 32.1x $48,263/yr 62
Rasmussen University-Wisconsin 29.1x $48,263/yr 61
Rasmussen University-North Dakota 27.4x $48,263/yr 60
Rasmussen University-Illinois 25.7x $48,263/yr 60
Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology 25.7x $48,257/yr 60
Rasmussen University-Florida 22.9x $48,263/yr 59
Rasmussen University-Kansas 22.5x $48,263/yr 59

Related Majors

Explore similar fields of study.

Considering a 4-Year Degree?

Compare the trade route with a bachelor's degree. See how Computer Engineering degree programs stack up on earnings and ROI.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do Computer Engineering graduates earn?
First-year earnings for Computer Engineering graduates average $47,746 annually, based on data from 10 programs. The range spans $31,111 at the low end to $77,403 at the top.
How AI-proof is a career in Computer Engineering?
AI resilience for Computer Engineering is classified as "Exposed." Approximately 38% of typical job tasks are hands-on — a moderate share of the daily work involves skills that current AI technology cannot perform.
What's the top-ranked school for Computer Engineering?
Based on the TradeSchoolOutlook Score (combining earnings, AI resilience, job market size, and ROI), Boise State University ranks #1 for Computer Engineering with a score of 78/100 and graduate earnings of $77,403/yr.
What's the ROI on a Computer Engineering program?
The average 10-year earnings multiple is 34.1x tuition. This is a strong return on investment. The spread between the best and worst programs is wide, so individual school selection has a major impact.
Data from College Scorecard, Bureau of Labor Statistics 2024–2034, and DOL RAPIDS. Methodology & sources →