School and Ranking Information
Students seeking a degree in software engineering within a 50 mile radius of Kansas City are faced with a variety of choices since more than 15 institutions offer this program. Through their rankings, graduation rates and number of degrees awarded, three universities stand out in this field of study.
- Winner: The University of Central Missouri, 48.5 miles away, has spots on several U.S. News and World Report lists. It offers bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees.
- Runner-Up #1: The University of Missouri in Kansas City also offers offer bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees. It is also ranked by USNWR.
- Runner-Up #2: Park University offers a graduate-level certificate along with associate's and bachelor's degrees. It is regionally ranked and is 133rd in Best Online Bachelor's programs.
School Comparison Chart
| Category | University of Central Missouri | University of Missouri - Kansas City | Park University |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ranking(s) for 2022 | 74th for Regional Universities (Midwest), 16th for Top Public Schools, 60th for Best Value Schools | 249th for Best National University, #195-210 for Best Undergraduate Engineering Programs, 123rd for Top Public Schools | #119-157 for Best Regional Universities (Midwest), 133rd for Best Online Bachelor's Programs |
| Location | Warrensburg, Missouri (48.5 miles from Kansas City, MO) | Kansas City, MO | Parkville, MO (13.4 miles from Kansas City, MO) |
| School Type | 4-year, public | 4-year, private not-for-profit | 4-year, private not-for-profit |
| Tuition & Fees (2021-2022) | $9,071 (Undergraduate, in-state), $16,819 (Undergraduate, out-of-state), $9,156 (Graduate, in-state), $16,992 (Graduate, out-of-state)** | $10,599 (Undergraduate, in-state), $26,235 (Undergraduate, out-of-state), $11,745 (Graduate, in-state), $27,803 (Graduate, out-of-state)** | $12,280 (Undergraduate), $6,435 (Graduate)** |
| Computer Engineering Award Levels Offered | Bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees*** | Bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees*** | Associate's, bachelor's and postgraduate certificates** |
| Computer Engineering Degrees Awarded (All Levels) in (2020-2021) | 378 (Computer Science)** | 219 (Computer Science)** | 188 (Computer and Information Sciences, General)** |
| 2015 Undergraduate Graduation Rate (in 150% of normal degree time) | 53%** | 57%** | 24%** |
| Noteworthy | Designated Missouri's leading school for professional technology* | The first computer science degree program was offered in the late 1970s*** | Some 9,000 students enroll in online courses each term (5 terms per year)* |
Sources: *U. S. News & World Report, **NCES, ***School's Websites
Winner: University of Central Missouri (UCM)
- Engineering technologies and engineering-related fields of study are the third most popular majors according to U. S. News & World Report
- The computer science department is a member of the MSDNAA (Microsoft Developer Network Academic Alliance)
Computer engineering undergraduate students at UCM have the option of selecting among 4 concentrations: game development, computer science, networking and security, and applied computer science. The curriculum, which includes courses in the design of applications and systems programming, computer science and Internet programming, follows the guidelines established by the ACM (Association for Computing Machinery) and ABET (the organization that accredits college programs in computer science). A computer science minor is also available. To gain valuable experience, students are encouraged to undertake a technology internship available through the UCM. Graduates can engage in software design, applications, engineering and programming. New pathways include creating new technology, robotics and artificial intelligence. With an annual deadline of March 1, students may apply to receive one of the available computer science department scholarships. The master's in computer science at UCM focuses on the analysis of algorithms in programming languages, the design of system software and theoretical applications, the development of system networks and databases, and much more. All computer science labs are equipped with the latest technology and software through licensing agreements with Oracle and Microsoft and include both Linux and Windows platforms. A doctoral degree in technology management is also offered, with a specialization in digital communications.
Runner-Up #1: University of Missouri - Kansas City (UMKC)
- In 2022, the Princeton Review named UMKC one of the 'Best Colleges: Midwestern' for 2023
- ABET accreditation in electrical and computer engineering
A bachelor's degree in computer engineering at UMKC includes several math courses as well as an array of classes in radar, robotics, biometrics, image processing and power engineering. Students may elect a bachelor's of science or a bachelor's of art in computer engineering. The first option teaches the student how to develop technological infrastructure while the second is favored by those seeking a dual major. The school of Computing and Engineering offers scholarships to students enrolled full-time in their programs. Professionals that need to upgrade their technical skills may obtain a graduate-level certificate. A master's program in computer science and a doctoral degree with a specialization in software engineering are also offered. Research in software engineering is conducted in a variety of areas such as web design, software lifecycle, interface design and syntax analysis. The 'Career Connections' program at UMKC allows the interaction between employers and students in order for them to understand what employment opportunities exist. The school also offers career and internship resources.
Runner-Up #2: Park University (PU)
- According to U. S. News & World Report, 82.2% of classes have less than 20 students
- NCES reports that for the 2020-2021 school-year 94% of incoming freshmen received some type of financial aid
PU offers an associate's, bachelor's and minor in information and computer science and students enrolled in these programs may choose one or more areas of concentration from among four: software engineering, computer science, networking and data management. Undergraduates may also select a bachelor's degree in computer based information systems with a combination of business and computer courses. PU also offers a bachelor's, associate's and a minor in computer science online. One of the concentrations offered online is software engineering. A graduate-level certificate in computer and network security is also offered online. PU's career development center works with the computer science department to place students in internships.
