Computer Engineering major

Computer Engineering: courses, careers, and where to study

Computer Engineering blends electrical engineering and computer science to design the hardware and embedded systems that run modern devices, suiting students who enjoy both circuits and code.

A Computer Engineering major sits at the boundary of electrical engineering and computer science, focusing on the design of computing hardware and the low-level software that drives it. A typical bachelor's degree builds on calculus, differential equations, and physics, then moves into digital logic design, circuit analysis, microprocessors and computer architecture, embedded systems, signals, and operating systems. Students work in labs with FPGAs, microcontrollers, and hardware description languages such as VHDL or Verilog, and most programs finish with a senior capstone design project.

Graduates design and test processors, memory, circuit boards, and embedded controllers, and write the firmware and device drivers that let hardware and software work together. They work across semiconductors, consumer electronics, telecommunications, aerospace, automotive, and embedded products. The closely related occupation of computer hardware engineers had a median wage of $155,020 per year in 2024, with projected employment growth of 7.3% from 2024 to 2034 (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics).

Computer engineering programs are credit-heavy and are commonly accredited by ABET. The coursework overlaps substantially with both electrical engineering and computer science, so graduates can pursue hardware, embedded, or software-leaning roles depending on their electives and concentration.

Academic classification (CIP)

In the federal Classification of Instructional Programs, Computer Engineering maps to CIP 14.0901, Computer Engineering, General, within the ENGINEERING family. The official definition:

A program that generally prepares individuals to apply mathematical and scientific principles to the design, development and operational evaluation of computer hardware and software systems and related equipment and facilities; and the analysis of specific problems of computer applications to various tasks.

Source: U.S. Department of Education (NCES), Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) 2020. View on nces.ed.gov

What you'll study

  • Digital logic design and Boolean algebra
  • Circuit analysis and electronics fundamentals
  • Computer architecture and microprocessor design
  • Embedded systems and microcontroller programming
  • Hardware description languages (VHDL/Verilog) and FPGA design
  • Signals, systems, and the C/assembly programming used for firmware
  • Operating systems, computer networks, and data structures
  • Senior capstone hardware/software design project

Typical careers

Typical salary range: BLS, 2024 computer hardware engineers median $155,020Ranges are early-career estimates. Any BLS figure shown is the occupation-wide median across all experience levels, not a starting wage, and is informational only.

Before you commit to a Computer Engineering major

CampusPin does not rank programs. Use these prompts to pressure-test whether a specific Computer Engineering program fits your goals, they are decision questions, not claims about any school.

Ask the Computer Engineering department

  • Which concentrations or specializations are offered, and which faculty lead them?
  • What does the typical course sequence look like, and how much is required vs. elective?
  • What labs, studios, clinical placements, or research opportunities are available to undergraduates?
  • Is there a capstone, thesis, internship, or co-op requirement?

Ask current students & check the curriculum

  • How heavy is the workload, and how accessible is the faculty?
  • What internships or co-ops did you do, and where do recent graduates end up?
  • Does the required curriculum actually match the careers listed above?
  • How easy is it to add a minor, double major, or switch tracks later?
Accreditation & licensure: Engineering and some computing programs may hold ABET accreditation, which can matter for professional licensure (the PE path) and for some employers and graduate schools. Check whether the Computer Engineering programs you are considering are accredited for your goals.
Degree level & graduate study: Many Computer Engineeringcareers are open with a bachelor's degree, but some, such as research, advanced-practice, or licensure-track roles, require a master's or doctorate. Check the typical entry-level education on each linked career page above before assuming a bachelor's is enough.

Find a Computer Engineering program

CampusPin lists U.S. universities and community colleges that offer Computer Engineering programs. Filter by state, tuition, school size, acceptance rate, and campus setting, no account required.

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How this guide is sourced

This is an editorial guide from the CampusPin Editorial Team. Career and wage figures are from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, occupation-wide medians across all experience levels, not starting wages, and link to each career page. Program availability comes from CampusPin's free institution search; CampusPin does not assert that any specific school offers this exact major until that program data is verified. Last reviewed 2026-06-15. How CampusPin sources data · Report a correction.