- A software engineering degree can prepare you for diverse jobs in almost any industry.
- Graduates can work as software developers, project leaders, systems architects, and more.
- Software engineers earn higher-than-average salaries, even right out of college.
- Many prestigious schools offer affordable online software engineering degree programs.
Technology drives every part of our world, from healthcare to gaming. So why not join the ever-expanding tech industry and gain in-demand skills?
If you want to help shape the future, consider an online software engineering degree. It can prepare you for diverse and high-paying career opportunities, all without breaking the bank.
What Are the Best Software Engineering Bachelor Programs in the Country?
Below, you'll find the twenty best Software Engineering programs in the country. Here at College Choice we've collated and compared the academic reputation, student satisfaction, affordability, and average annual salary of graduates from software engineering programs across the country to create a definitive ranking of the nation's twenty best.
We first chose programs with the most renowned academic reputation and from those pared the list down to those with high retention rates — a reflection of student satisfaction — added those with the most economical accessibility, and finally we included the averages of early career salaries (care of Payscale) to arrive at a list marked by thorough research and extensive data aggregation.
Our figures come from the university and colleges websites as well as The National Center for Education Statistics.
The Best Schools and Universities for a Bachelor's Degree in Software Engineering
See our rankings methodology page.
Featured Online Software Engineering Programs
Find a program that meets your affordability, flexibility, and education needs through an accredited, online school.
Job Outlook and Careers
If you're looking into getting a degree in software engineering, have you thought about getting your degree online? We've even ranked the best online software engineering degrees. Take a look!
College undergraduates who pursue software engineering are almost guaranteed a job right out of college, with a projected job growth rate of 25 % from 2021-2031, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
Although the demand for software engineers is high, the financial reward is also quite high. According to the BLS, the median annual salary for software engineers is an impressive $109,020. Even more, first-year graduates can expect to make an average of $79,690 right out of college (Payscale, June 2023).
Typically, software engineers work in one of two capacities — as an applications software developer or a systems software developer. In the former, engineers are at the front end of the product, developing a specific software (like a word processor or an app or a game).
A systems software developer, however, works on the bigger picture and helps organize all of the moving parts of a computer system so that they work efficiently and smoothly.
Here are some jobs that fit perfectly with a BS in Software Engineering, and can apply to almost any work sector, from healthcare to renewable energy to entertainment:
Software and Systems Architect
Software and System Engineer
Software Programmer, Developer, and Tester
Requirements Engineer
Project Leader
Senior Computer Applications Engineer
If you're a student who loves numbers and has a knack for seeing how tiny details fit into the bigger picture, a BS in Software Engineering at any of the schools on our list is a great route for you to take. You're not only securing your financial future, but you also are choosing to join an exciting a cutting-edge field that has virtually endless options.
