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A computer engineering master's degree dives deep into computer hardware, software, networks, and architecture. Graduate study can open the doors to research work, and introduce you to professors and peers who are leaders in the field.
If you aspire to work with artificial intelligence or robotics, write or test software, build hardware, or develop systems, this degree can help you achieve your ambition.
It can also allow you to earn more money. According to Payscale, people with a master's in computer engineering earned an average annual salary of $108,000 as of November 2023 — at least $12,000 more a year than those with a bachelor's degree in the field.
Explore the guide below to learn more about the top computer engineering master's degrees, including admissions requirements, career options, and answers to the most frequently asked questions.
Popular Online Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
Top Computer Engineering Master's Programs
How We Rank Colleges And Bootcamps
ComputerScience.org ranks computer science degree programs at the associate, bachelor's, master's, and doctoral levels. We also rank bootcamps and certificate programs. Our top priority is making sure you find the best possible fit for your education. We use up-to-date national statistics and focus on factors like return on investment, academic quality, and affordability.
Take a closer look at our rankings on our rankings methodology page.
Why Get a Computer Engineering Master's Degree?
Computer engineering started in the 1940s when Dr. John Vincent Atanasoff, a professor at Iowa State College, and his student Clifford Berry built the first electronic digital computer. Formal computer engineering education, however, did not launch until 1971, when Case Western Reserve offered the first accredited computer engineering degree in the U.S.
Today, more than 78,000 computer hardware engineers work in research, development, and manufacturing settings across the U.S. In 2022, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projected that the field would add 3,600 new jobs by 2032. Hardware engineers earn a median annual wage of $132,360 — almost three times the median salary for all occupations.
Computer engineering professionals are building the world of tomorrow. A computer engineering degree can also prepare you for a career as a network architect, software engineer, information systems manager, or research scientist. These fast-growing, high-paying fields can provide meaningful and exciting work for problem-solvers and critical thinkers.
While a graduate certificate or bootcamp may be faster, a master's degree in computer engineering offers several benefits:
Expand Your Knowledge Base: If you work in technology design, you should be able to apply what you learn in a computer engineering master's degree right away. Your knowledge may help you be more effective in your current role or transition to a new career.
Work in a Complex Subfield: A master's program can help you qualify for math-intensive jobs, to work with autonomous machines, or do chip or register-transfer level design. A degree can also prepare you for a director or senior director role.
Prepare for a Doctorate: If you aspire to teach at the college level or perform original research in the field, you need a doctorate. A master's degree can equip you for next-level study.
What to Expect From Computer Engineering Graduate Programs
As the world grows more digitized, employers, from hospitals to national security agencies, need innovative experts who can create groundbreaking technology to advance human flourishing.
Computer engineering graduate programs can help you learn how to build the smart devices that connect the modern world. As a student, you can learn about topics from artificial intelligence to cybersecurity, but your focus will rest on designing, scaling, and programming computer systems.
Earning a master's degree in this field usually takes two years if you enroll in 6-12 credits each semester. Courses could include advanced computer architecture, object oriented design, and network centric systems. You may also have a chance to research and produce a thesis before graduating.
Total costs vary widely between programs, but it's a good idea to plan on spending more than $35,000 on your degree. The good news is that you may find scholarships and discounts to help you meet those costs. Upon graduation, you can pursue a career in computer chip design, aerospace engineering, biomedical engineering, or machine learning and AI.
Admission Requirements
Admission to a computer engineering master's degree generally requires the following:
- You need a four-year undergraduate degree from an accredited institution. Schools often expect a technology or engineering-related major.
Minimum GPA: Many graduate programs require a 3.0 or better for admission.
GRE Scores: Post-COVID, many master's programs have waived the GRE requirement, but others still expect you to submit scores.
Prerequisites: You should have taken adequate preparatory coursework in computer science and electrical engineering. Some schools may offer bridge courses if you need them.
Degree and Specialization Options
A school might offer a master of science in computer engineering, a master of engineering in computer engineering, or even both. These two degrees, while related, are not the same. The master of science emphasizes research and theory, while the master of engineering leans toward real-world application and practice.
A computer engineering master's degree may include specific concentrations such as computer security, AI/ML systems, intelligent physical systems, or devices and nanofab. You can choose a concentration based on your career goals and academic interests.
Popular Computer Engineering Courses
As you explore computer engineering master's degrees, you may find a variety of courses offered in different programs. While each school's curriculum is unique, computer engineering generally includes courses like the ones below:
Digital Signal Processing: This course builds on a background in linear systems analysis. Students explore fast algorithms, quantization effects, discrete-time signals and systems, and digital filter design and implementation.
Embedded Systems and Machine Learning: Students discover how to apply machine learning to embedded applications. Topics in this course include edge computing, the Internet of Things, model compression, latency, data reuse, and hardware codesign for machine learning.
Biometrics: Learners explore why computers and networks need security measures to safeguard sensitive data. The course covers the theory, tools, and techniques of biometric security design.
Introduction to System-on-Chip Design: Topics in this course include cell-based system-on-chip design, pipelining, top-down design flow, and software-hardware co-design and co-simulation.
How Much Will Graduate School Cost?
The average computer science master's degree costs $18,274 per year, according to the National Council for Education Statistics (NCES). However, that average stands in the center of a wide range of potential costs. Some schools charge less than $200 per credit, but others go up to almost $2,000.
Factors such as a school's prestige and whether it receives public support can affect the price. Online students may also pay technology fees or other add-on costs.
You do not necessarily have to pay all your expenses out of pocket. Approximately 61% of surveyed online learners receive financial aid such as scholarships, discounts, or employer support.
- Learn more about how to pay for a degree
- Explore your scholarship and financial aid options
- Find companies that may pay for your degree
- Discover scholarship programs for women in tech
Jobs for Master's in Computer Engineering Graduates
Earning a computer engineering master's degree can position you for engaging, high-paying positions in technology. Consider the following careers:
Hardware Engineer
Hardware engineers build routers, networks, processors, circuit boards, and memory devices for computer systems. Often working in research, development, and design companies, these professionals may develop entirely new systems or devise processors for devices containing internet-ready systems, like cars, appliances, or medical equipment. Hardware engineers need a strong background in computer science and electrical engineering.
Software Developer
Software developers envision, design, and create computer programs and applications. Usually working under the direction of a software engineer, these professionals may create user-specific operating systems, such as games or commercial software. Software developers typically need a bachelor's degree, but many employers may require a master's degree. Strong coding skills are a must-have for this profession.
Computer Programmer
Computer programmers write, edit, and test the codes that run computer applications and software. These professionals often have expertise in multiple coding languages. AI's automation of routine work is shrinking the need for computer programmers. Nevertheless, AI cannot do the strategic planning, analysis, or project development that the field requires.
Computer Network Architects
Sometimes called network engineers, computer network architects design and manage computer networks, including local area networks, wide area networks, and intranets. These professionals often have experience as systems administrators, database administrators, or computer systems analysts. Network architects may need industry certifications in addition to experience and a relevant degree.
Computer Information Researcher
Working in government agencies, universities, and computer design firms, researchers create new computer systems or improve existing ones. They can specialize in areas such as robotics or programming. These innovative specialists may solve problems in medicine, business, or science. Some researchers also serve as postsecondary professors.
Choosing the Right Computer Engineering Graduate Program
To maximize your learning experience, choose an accredited computer engineering program that is affordable, convenient, customizable, and local.
Accredited: An institutionally accredited school gives you access to financial aid and career opportunities that non-accredited institutions cannot match. Program accreditation does not apply to graduate-level CS degrees.
Affordable: Look beyond the price tag. Does your potential school offer scholarships, locked-in tuition, free textbooks, discounts, or other incentives?
Convenient: Many students find asynchronous courses and shorter terms help them finish their requirements on time while maintaining work, family, or community obligations.
Customizable: Can you choose a concentration relevant to your career goals? Does your program incorporate professional certifications, micro-credentials, digital badges, or trade skills certificates?
Local: Online education lets you choose from schools worldwide, but learning locally may be your best option. If you live near campus, you can participate in on-site laboratories, special events, and job fairs specific to computer engineering.
Should You Get Your Master's Degree Online?
In the fall of 2021, the NCES reported that 56% of graduate learners were studying online, and 40% were earning their entire degrees by distance education. The field is burgeoning, but is online education effective? Research says yes — with some qualifications.
Wiley's 2023 study of online learners found that 91% of online students viewed their educational experience positively, and 92% of graduates said they had achieved a positive outcome because of their degree. Still, 18% of learners planned to switch to a campus-based program, primarily because they missed the peer-to-peer interaction.
Discover more paths to learning computer science:
More Questions About Master's in Computer Engineering Programs
What can you do with a master's in computer engineering?
With a master's in computer engineering, you can pursue a career as a hardware engineer, network architect, cybersecurity analyst, or information systems manager. This degree can also position you for a Ph.D. and a subsequent career in teaching or research.
Is a master's in computer engineering the same as a computer science master's?
Computer engineering and computer science are related but different subjects. Computer engineering focuses on building hardware systems, while computer science is a holistic field concerned with theory and analysis.
How long does it take to finish a computer engineering master's?
Most computer engineering master's programs take two years to finish. However, not all students work on the same timeline. Part-time learners may need more time, but accelerated BA/MS students might earn both degrees in five years.
Is going to graduate school for computer engineering worth it?
In November 2023, Payscale reported that people with a master's in computer engineering earned an average annual salary of $108,000. People with a BS in computer engineering earned an average of $96,000.
According to the NCES, the average CS master's degree costs $18,274 annually. Assuming a total cost of $37,000 for a two-year degree and average salaries before and after earning your master's, you could realize a positive ROI in 25 months.
