Best Computer Engineering Schools

Updated on January 5, 2024

Computer engineering is a growing field that combines electrical engineering and computer science to design and develop computer systems and other technological devices. Some of the top schools for computer engineering offer great academics, research opportunities, career support, and excellent job prospects for graduates. Here are 10 of the best computer engineering schools in the United States:

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Location: Cambridge, MA

Rating: 10/10

Acceptance Rate: 7%

Avg SAT Score: 1520

Tuition: $53,450 per year

Website: mit.edu

MIT is world renowned for excellence in technology and engineering. The electrical engineering and computer science department offers top quality computer engineering programs. Students work with expert faculty on innovative research and benefit from MIT’s leadership in fields like AI, robotics, and computing systems.

Stanford University

Location: Stanford, CA

Rating: 10/10

Acceptance Rate: 4%

Avg SAT Score: 1540

Tuition: $57,701 per year

Website: stanford.edu

Stanford’s computer engineering program allows students to take classes through the electrical engineering and computer science departments. Stanford offers world-class research opportunities and the Silicon Valley location provides great industry connections.

University of California, Berkeley

Location: Berkeley, CA

Rating: 9.5/10

Acceptance Rate: 16%

Avg SAT Score: 1425

Tuition: $44,007 per year (in-state), $64,782 per year (out-of-state)

Website: berkeley.edu

UC Berkeley allows students to pursue a joint computer science and electrical engineering major for a computer engineering degree. The program is highly regarded and Berkeley engineering graduates are among the most recruitable.

Carnegie Mellon University

Location: Pittsburgh, PA

Rating: 9.5/10

Acceptance Rate: 15%

Avg SAT Score: 1500

Tuition: $59,450 per year

Website: cmu.edu

CMU’s computer engineering program combines training in theoretical foundations and practical applications of computer systems and hardware. Cross-disciplinary collaboration and strong industry connections lead to impactful innovations.

Georgia Institute of Technology

Location: Atlanta, GA

Rating: 9/10

Acceptance Rate: 21%

Avg SAT Score: 1490

Tuition: $33,794 per year (in-state), $49,927 per year (out-of-state)

Website: gatech.edu

Georgia Tech is considered one of the best technology schools in the world. Students can pursue computer engineering through the electrical and computer engineering department. Georgia Tech focuses on real-world applications and graduating students who are ready for the workforce.

University of Texas at Austin

Location: Austin, TX

Rating: 9/10

Acceptance Rate: 32%

Avg SAT Score: 1370

Tuition: $37,580 per year (in-state), $65,860 per year (out-of-state)

Website: utexas.edu

UT Austin has highly ranked programs in computer science and electrical & computer engineering. Cross-disciplinary study allows students to tailor their computer engineering degree. Graduates have excellent job prospects at technology companies nationwide.

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Location: Urbana-Champaign, IL

Rating: 8.5/10

Acceptance Rate: 63%

Avg SAT Score: 1400

Tuition: $31,352 per year (in-state), $47,674 per year (out-of-state)

Website: illinois.edu

The University of Illinois allows students to earn degrees in computer engineering or electrical engineering with a computer engineering option. Graduates have skills needed across computing systems, software, and hardware.

Purdue University

Location: West Lafayette, IN

Rating: 8.5/10

Acceptance Rate: 60%

Avg SAT Score: 1420

Tuition: $28,804 per year (in-state), $44,710 per year (out-of-state)

Website: purdue.edu

Purdue’s prestigious College of Engineering offers a computer engineering major. Students take advanced coursework in areas like circuits, electronics, computer architecture, and embedded systems.

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

Location: Troy, NY

Rating: 8.5/10

Acceptance Rate: 44%

Avg SAT Score: 1410

Tuition: $55,917 per year

Website: rpi.edu

RPI offers degrees in computer engineering and electrical & systems engineering. Students work with innovative technologies and collaborate on interdisciplinary projects. The Career Center provides services focused specifically on engineering placements.

University of Michigan

Location: Ann Arbor, MI

Rating: 8.5/10

Acceptance Rate: 23%

Avg SAT Score: 1480

Tuition: $49,350 per year (in-state), $54,886 per year (out-of-state)

Website: umich.edu

At University of Michigan’s top engineering school, students can major in computer engineering through the electrical and computer engineering department. There is an emphasis on applying computer engineering concepts across industries.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is computer engineering?

Computer engineering combines electrical engineering and computer science principles to design and develop computer systems, software, and hardware. The field focuses on applying computing to create innovative technological systems and solutions.

What degree do you need for computer engineering?

Most entry-level computer engineering jobs require a bachelor’s degree in computer engineering or a closely related major like electrical engineering or computer science. Some colleges also offer master’s and PhD programs specifically in computer engineering.

What skills are needed for computer engineering?

Essential computer engineering skills include coding and programming languages like C/C++, proficiency in math and physics, hardware and software integration knowledge, problem solving, and communication/teamwork abilities.

What kind of jobs can you get with a computer engineering degree?

Common computer engineering jobs include hardware engineer, software developer, systems engineer, network architect, embedded systems designer, robotics engineer, and many other roles focused on designing, developing, and integrating computer systems and hardware.

What is the difference between computer science and computer engineering?

Computer science focuses more on software, programming languages, data structures, and the theoretical underpinnings of computing. Computer engineering concentrates on integrating computer science principles into physical, electronic, and hardware systems to develop new technology solutions.

Is computer engineering a good career?

Yes, computer engineering is an excellent career choice. It is a growing field focused on highly innovative work, and computer engineering skills are valuable across many industries. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 21% growth for computer hardware engineering jobs from 2020 to 2030.

Is computer engineering hard?

Computer engineering combines challenging concepts from electrical engineering and computer science, so it does require strong technical abilities. However, hard work, passion, problem-solving skills, and persistence will help you succeed. Top schools also provide significant academic support.

Should I get an internship for computer engineering?

Internship experience is highly beneficial for computer engineering students. Internships allow you to apply classroom concepts to real-world settings, learn about industry trends, network with professionals, and boost your resume for jobs after graduation.

What programming languages should computer engineers know?

Some of the most common and recommended programming languages for computer engineers include C/C++, Python, Verilog, Assembly, Java, and MATLAB. However, learn skills across low-level and high-level languages.

How competitive are top computer engineering schools?

The top computer engineering schools in the U.S. are extremely competitive with rigorous entrance requirements. Meeting or exceeding the average test scores and grades will help, along with pursuing meaningful extracurriculars and demonstrating genuine interest through essays.

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Rohit Mittal is the co-founder and CEO of Stilt. Rohit has extensive experience in credit risk analytics and data science. He spent years building credit risk and fraud models for top U.S. banks. In his current role, he defines the overall business strategy, leads debt and capital fundraising efforts, leads product development, and leads other customer-related aspects for the company. Stilt is backed by Y Combinator and has raised a total of $275M in debt and equity funding to date.

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