Best Colleges for Computer Engineering 2026
20 schools ranked by graduate earnings — real data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Computer Engineering is a field of study that develops specialized knowledge and skills applicable across a range of professional settings. Undergraduate programs typically combine foundational coursework with applied projects, laboratory work, or research experiences designed to prepare graduates for entry-level careers or advanced study.
Graduates are well-positioned for careers across multiple industries. Career paths and earning potential vary depending on the specific concentration, graduate degree attainment, and employer. The rankings below are based on actual graduate earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, which tracks median earnings for graduates of each school-major combination.
When evaluating Computer Engineering programs, consider accreditation status, research and internship opportunities, faculty expertise, and the school's alumni network in your target career field. The earnings data on this page provides an objective, evidence-based signal to help you compare programs by real-world financial outcomes.
Earnings shown are median graduate earnings 4 years after graduation (or 1 year if 4-year data is unavailable), sourced from the College Scorecard.See full major data
Top 20 Computer Engineering Programs by Graduate Earnings
| # | School | Earnings | Tuition | Accept Rate | Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Washington-Bothell Campus Bothell, WA | $168,957 | $41,913 | 92% | 5,228 |
| 2 | University of Washington-Seattle Campus Seattle, WA | $168,957 | $41,997 | 43% | 31,588 |
| 3 | Santa Clara University Santa Clara, CA | $159,782 | $59,241 | 44% | 6,235 |
| 4 | Duke University Durham, NC | $137,144 | $65,805 | 7% | 6,417 |
| 5 | University of Virginia-Main Campus Charlottesville, VA | $135,287 | $58,014 | 17% | 17,315 |
| 6 | Brigham Young University Provo, UT | $127,592 | $6,496 | 69% | 32,221 |
| 7 | University of California-San Diego La Jolla, CA | $126,160 | $46,042 | 25% | 33,787 |
| 8 | California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo San Luis Obispo, CA | $122,307 | $30,995 | 30% | 21,521 |
| 9 | University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Champaign, IL | $122,137 | $34,501 | 44% | 34,623 |
| 10 | Northeastern University Boston, MA | $121,329 | $63,141 | 10% | 15,719 |
| 11 | University of California-Davis Davis, CA | $120,745 | $46,024 | 42% | 31,777 |
| 12 | University of California-Santa Cruz Santa Cruz, CA | $118,191 | $45,337 | 63% | 17,812 |
| 13 | Stevens Institute of Technology Hoboken, NJ | $115,744 | $60,952 | 43% | 4,084 |
| 14 | University of California-Santa Barbara Santa Barbara, CA | $114,658 | $45,742 | 28% | 23,205 |
| 15 | Villanova University Villanova, PA | $111,769 | $64,701 | 25% | 7,005 |
| 16 | Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology Terre Haute, IN | $110,766 | $56,674 | 73% | 2,224 |
| 17 | Boston University Boston, MA | $110,259 | $65,168 | 11% | 17,850 |
| 18 | University of Massachusetts-Amherst Amherst, MA | $109,618 | $39,293 | 58% | 23,694 |
| 19 | University of Maryland-College Park College Park, MD | $108,499 | $40,306 | 45% | 30,246 |
| 20 | University of Michigan-Ann Arbor Ann Arbor, MI | $107,608 | $58,072 | 18% | 33,488 |
Explore All Computer Engineering Programs
See earnings data for all 174 schools offering Computer Engineering, including debt figures and graduate counts.
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Compare SchoolsFrequently Asked Questions
What should I look for in a Computer Engineering program?
Look for programs with relevant accreditation, strong research or internship opportunities, experienced faculty with industry connections, and alumni networks in the careers you want to pursue. Hands-on learning experiences and career placement rates are also important indicators of program quality.
What careers can I pursue with a Computer Engineering degree?
A Computer Engineering degree prepares graduates for a range of careers depending on the specific concentration and any graduate study pursued. Review the program's placement data and alumni outcomes to understand where graduates from a specific school tend to land after graduation.
How much do Computer Engineering graduates earn?
Earnings for Computer Engineering graduates vary by school, specialization, and career path. The rankings on this page reflect verified median graduate earnings from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, giving you a school-level view of real financial outcomes for this major.