Every application in our daily lives, from the messaging applications we use to text our friends to the games we play in our free time, was touched by a software engineer.
Software engineering is a subcategory of computer engineering and computer science. At its core, software engineering focuses on programming codes for various applications. Thanks to the emergence of computers in the late 20th century, there has always been a continuous need for software engineers. Especially as our lives are so intertwined with technology today, software engineers are always in high demand.
Between 2012 and 2022, an estimated 220,000 software development positions will be created nationally. Software engineers will not just be sitting behind a desk every day but must also work with other industry leaders to improve technology outcomes. Because of the high demand for this position, software engineers can work in a variety of fields.
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What type of degree in software engineering should you get?
An online software engineering degree is the most flexible degree for working adults who may not have time for a traditional on-campus degree. Most of these degrees can be completed 100 percent online with sometimes the option of choosing hybrid courses. The amount per credit-hour is often usually cheaper, making online courses the more affordable option.
Check out College Choice's list of the Most Affordable Online Colleges regardless of degree.
The most common specializations within the software engineering field include software design and development, software engineering configuration management, application development, and information security. Students interested in pursuing a specific area should check to see if the program offers these focuses.
How much money do people make with a degree in software engineering?
According toPayScale, the average salary for a software engineer is $82,749 or about $33.95 per hour regardless of degree. The average salary of those who hold a BS in software engineering is $74,000. People with several years of experience can easily make over $100,000. Although a master's may not be necessary for advancement in career, the average salary of those who hold an MS in this degree is $99,000.
Companies that tend to pay software engineers the most include Google, Facebook, Apple, Amazon, and Microsoft. However, graduates should not just look at big corporations to find jobs – startups also can pay big bucks for talented software engineers.
What can you do with a degree in software engineering?
Because jobs within Software Engineering is expected to experience a growth of about 20 percent within the next several years, those with this major will be able to find several jobs. Some of the major career paths of a software engineer include applications, systems, or web development. These engineers find themselves working not only in large tech corporations, but also for the government and small startups.
A software engineer will utilize programming and computing theory in order to produce better outcomes for businesses and society. Some engineers may also advance to the management side where they will merge both technical and business skills in their everyday job. Therefore, a software engineer must have great communication, critical thinking, and decision-making skills in addition to the technical skills required.
What are the requirements for a degree in software engineering?
Strong applicants will have a high school diploma with a strong GPA, preferably above a 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. Many schools also have minimum SAT and ACT scores, with emphasis on the math or science section. While not technically required, taking advanced math and science courses in high school will also improve one's chances of admission. For the programs that only offer upper division courses, an associates degree in Software Engineering or related field will be required for admission.
What are the most affordable online software engineering degrees?
Below is College Choice's top 10 picks for the most affordable online software engineering degrees. These schools were chosen based on a variety of data from sources such as the U.S. News & World Report, PayScale, the National Center for Education Statistics' IPEDS database, and individual college websites.
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