Best Bachelor's Degrees in Software Engineering

1. Arizona State University-Polytechnic

Tuition	Acceptance Rate	Graduation Rate	Financial Aid %	Placement Services	Career Services	Accepts
$10803	84%	45%	95%	Yes	Yes	AP Credits

2. Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Erie-Behrend College

Tuition	Acceptance Rate	Graduation Rate	Financial Aid %	Placement Services	Career Services	Accepts
$15206	76%	71%	%	Yes	Yes	AP Credits

3. University of Minnesota-Crookston

Tuition	Acceptance Rate	Graduation Rate	Financial Aid %	Placement Services	Career Services	Accepts
$12116	68%	50%	93%	Yes	Yes	AP / NCCRS Credits

4. Iowa State University

Tuition	Acceptance Rate	Graduation Rate	Financial Aid %	Placement Services	Career Services	Accepts
$9320	92%	74%	90%	Yes	Yes	AP / NCCRS Credits

5. Valley City State University

Tuition	Acceptance Rate	Graduation Rate	Financial Aid %	Placement Services	Career Services	Accepts
$7707	76%	50%	98%	Yes	Yes	AP / NCCRS Credits

6. University of Wisconsin-Platteville

Tuition	Acceptance Rate	Graduation Rate	Financial Aid %	Placement Services	Career Services	Accepts
$7623	85%	56%	86%	Yes	Yes	AP Credits

7. Michigan Technological University

Tuition	Acceptance Rate	Graduation Rate	Financial Aid %	Placement Services	Career Services	Accepts
$17134	74%	70%	96%	Yes	Yes	AP Credits

8. San Jose State University

Tuition	Acceptance Rate	Graduation Rate	Financial Aid %	Placement Services	Career Services	Accepts
$7852	64%	64%	73%	Yes	Yes	AP / NCCRS Credits

9. Miami University-Oxford

Tuition	Acceptance Rate	Graduation Rate	Financial Aid %	Placement Services	Career Services	Accepts
$15193	80%	81%	82%	Yes	Yes	AP / NCCRS Credits

10. The University of Texas at Dallas

Tuition	Acceptance Rate	Graduation Rate	Financial Aid %	Placement Services	Career Services	Accepts
$13442	79%	70%	78%	Yes	Yes	AP Credits

11. Florida Gulf Coast University

Tuition	Acceptance Rate	Graduation Rate	Financial Aid %	Placement Services	Career Services	Accepts
$6118	67%	50%	77%	Yes	Yes	AP Credits

12. Bowling Green State University

Tuition	Acceptance Rate	Graduation Rate	Financial Aid %	Placement Services	Career Services	Accepts
$11316	72%	61%	95%	Yes	Yes	AP Credits

13. University of Northern Colorado

Tuition	Acceptance Rate	Graduation Rate	Financial Aid %	Placement Services	Career Services	Accepts
$9987	91%	52%	93%	Yes	Yes	AP Credits

14. Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania

Tuition	Acceptance Rate	Graduation Rate	Financial Aid %	Placement Services	Career Services	Accepts
$12744	91%	58%	91%	Yes	Yes	AP Credits

15. Vermont Technical College

Tuition	Acceptance Rate	Graduation Rate	Financial Aid %	Placement Services	Career Services	Accepts
$15292	67%	55%	95%	Yes	Yes	AP Credits

16. Kennesaw State University

Tuition	Acceptance Rate	Graduation Rate	Financial Aid %	Placement Services	Career Services	Accepts
$6456	75%	46%	92%	Yes	Yes	AP Credits

17. Montana Technological University

Tuition	Acceptance Rate	Graduation Rate	Financial Aid %	Placement Services	Career Services	Accepts
$7431	91%	54%	91%	Yes	Yes	AP / NCCRS Credits

18. California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo

Tuition	Acceptance Rate	Graduation Rate	Financial Aid %	Placement Services	Career Services	Accepts
$9943	28%	82%	63%	Yes	Yes	AP Credits

19. Drury University

Tuition	Acceptance Rate	Graduation Rate	Financial Aid %	Placement Services	Career Services	Accepts
$29515	64%	58%	100%	Yes	Yes	AP / ACE Credits

20. Saint Cloud State University

Tuition	Acceptance Rate	Graduation Rate	Financial Aid %	Placement Services	Career Services	Accepts
$8656	90%	48%	94%	Yes	Yes	AP Credits

21. SUNY College at Oswego

Tuition	Acceptance Rate	Graduation Rate	Financial Aid %	Placement Services	Career Services	Accepts
$8717	54%	67%	97%	Yes	Yes	AP Credits

22. Washington State University

Tuition	Acceptance Rate	Graduation Rate	Financial Aid %	Placement Services	Career Services	Accepts
$11841	76%	60%	89%	Yes	Yes	AP / ACE Credits

23. University of Nebraska-Lincoln

Tuition	Acceptance Rate	Graduation Rate	Financial Aid %	Placement Services	Career Services	Accepts
$9366	78%	66%	91%	Yes	Yes	AP / NCCRS Credits

24. University of Central Oklahoma

Tuition	Acceptance Rate	Graduation Rate	Financial Aid %	Placement Services	Career Services	Accepts
$7753	84%	36%	91%	Yes	Yes	AP / NCCRS Credits

25. The University of Texas at Arlington

Tuition	Acceptance Rate	Graduation Rate	Financial Aid %	Placement Services	Career Services	Accepts
$11040	83%	51%	90%	Yes	Yes	AP Credits

26. University of Detroit Mercy

Tuition	Acceptance Rate	Graduation Rate	Financial Aid %	Placement Services	Career Services	Accepts
$28840	77%	67%	100%	Yes	Yes	AP Credits

27. University of California-Irvine

Tuition	Acceptance Rate	Graduation Rate	Financial Aid %	Placement Services	Career Services	Accepts
$13727	27%	84%	63%	Yes	Yes	AP Credits

28. Indiana Institute of Technology

Tuition	Acceptance Rate	Graduation Rate	Financial Aid %	Placement Services	Career Services	Accepts
$27440	60%	37%	99%	Yes	Yes	AP Credits

29. Snow College

Tuition	Acceptance Rate	Graduation Rate	Financial Aid %	Placement Services	Career Services	Accepts
$3836	No Available Data (2019-2020)	43%	90%	Yes	Yes	AP / NCCRS Credits

30. William Penn University

Tuition	Acceptance Rate	Graduation Rate	Financial Aid %	Placement Services	Career Services	Accepts
$26100	58%	34%	99%	Yes	Yes	AP / NCCRS Credits

31. Utah Valley University

Tuition	Acceptance Rate	Graduation Rate	Financial Aid %	Placement Services	Career Services	Accepts
$5820	No Available Data (2019-2020)	32%	74%	Yes	Yes	AP Credits

To get a more in-depth look at our school ranking methodology, please visit Study.com's ranking methodology page.

Tuition information is based on published tuition and required fees, per data by the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES)

Students will most likely find that obtaining a bachelor's degree in software engineering does not come with a concentration option in many schools. It is typically a major without a specific concentration that covers a wide range of courses, though software engineering may also be the concentration within a computer science degree.

However, this degree can offer concentrations. For example, some schools will find the option to concentrate on either data science or mobile and web development within their software engineering bachelor's degree, but it isn't common.

Like many bachelor's degrees, a high school diploma or equivalent G.E.D. is required to apply. This helps to make sure that students will be prepared for the often-challenging content found in a software engineering bachelor's degree. Other prerequisites may include a standardized test for some schools, such as the SAT or ACT.

Students who are interested in pursuing this degree might want to choose classes in high school that focus on related areas. For example, taking introductory math or coding classes could give students an idea of what they will be learning in college. These are typically not required, but they may be a way to demonstrate interest and ability in applications. Internships and jobs may also serve this purpose.

Students also may find it helpful to participate in free online software engineering courses as a way to prepare for a bachelor's degree in software engineering. These can allow students to learn new skills or develop existing ones.

Software engineering can be an extensive field. As such, students pursuing a bachelor's degree in software engineering should expect a variety of technical classes. Some examples include:

• Software design, which focuses on developing effective and efficient software programs.
• Computer networks, where students have the opportunity to learn about how they can apply their programming knowledge to data communications.
• Algorithmic analysis, where students can learn how to create, assess, and use algorithms in their work.

Additionally, there are likely to be some elective options. These might be related to software engineering, or they may be unstructured.

Students will also have a general education requirement meant to round out their schooling. These will likely develop skills unrelated to software engineering, such as in composition, the fine arts, or a foreign language. Some programs also include an internship or project requirement in the curriculum to add real-world experience or a significant end product to the degree.

To earn a bachelor's degree in software engineering from most schools, students will need to earn around 120 credits. This can usually be done full-time in about four years, or part-time in more. Of these 120 credits, students should expect most of them to be focused on engineering and courses in science and math that will support it. This may include laboratory components, such as a chemistry or physics lab. A small amount of these credits will likely be general education requirements. There may also be an internship or career requirement in the program that counts for credits.

Accelerated learning is occasionally possible in this degree. Some schools offer an accelerated program that gives students the opportunity to earn both their bachelor's and master's in software engineering in six years. Students seriously considering a master's in this field might want to investigate this possibility.

Choosing a program for Software Engineering can be an important decision. To find a school that will be a good fit, students might want to consider several things.

They might want to take the time to investigate the curriculum at the specific school they are interested in. The software engineering classes offered may stick strictly to software applications, or venture into similar but distinct fields such as cloud engineering. As such, students who are firm on their career aspirations should make sure that the program they're looking at offers the classes to support their job pursuits.

It also may be worth considering if there is an internship option included in the curriculum. These are often good opportunities to apply content learned in the classroom, as well as to make professional connections that may be useful later. If students are interested in this advantage, this could be an important item to look for.

Finally, it may be useful for students to examine how a program's graduates have been employed. More recent graduates may show where prospective students could find themselves immediately after graduation, and less recent graduates may give a broader career trajectory perspective. This may also indicate how the software engineering industry views the program.

Accreditation is an important element to look for in any higher education institution. If a school is accredited, that means it has been officially approved by a private group that has itself been recognized by the Department of Education, the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA), or both. These groups examine schools to verify that they offer a quality education. As such, students who choose to attend accredited schools may be demonstrating the proven value of their degree to future employers. Additionally, those who plan on seeking governmental aid will need to attend an accredited school to be eligible.

It's important to note that these groups accredit schools, not programs. The body that accredits software engineering programs is separate. The Accreditation Board for Engineering & Technology (ABET) works to similarly verify the quality and substance of engineering and technology programs. As such, it may be a good idea to seek out an accredited school that also has an ABET-accredited software engineering program. However, if students are considering a software engineering program that has not been accredited, they might want to compare its offerings alongside ABET's assessment criteria.

Governmental licensure for software engineers is currently only offered in Texas. This is likely due to the fact that industry professionals have different opinions on if this is a profession that should have licensure. Some say that it will help to regulate the quality of software engineers, while others state that software engineering is such a broad and rapidly growing topic that license exams will not be able to keep up.

However, this does not include licenses for professional engineers (PE). The National Society of Professional Engineers is a private group that offers students the opportunity to obtain a license as a professional engineer. This is a required credential for many engineering activities, such as sealing engineering works for clients. However, as it is not specifically meant for software engineering, it is not always an explicit requirement for software engineering jobs. Students who are pursuing software engineering might want to consider their occupational aspirations and investigate if becoming a licensed PE will benefit them.

Students who earn a bachelor's degree in software engineering have the opportunity to pursue many different careers. For example, they may choose to pursue the profession of web developer. While web developers and software engineers often share skills, the two jobs also have many differences. Students might want to consider subtle differences such as these between posted positions.

A very prominent job title that students with this degree can obtain is that of a software engineer. This profession can be found in a variety of industries and companies including the United States government. Software engineers typically need strong analytical skills, a knack for problem-solving, and the ability to be creative within technological limits. Similar job titles, such as software developer or computer software engineer, may require many of the same skills.

How to Become a Software Developer

A software developer is a person that applies their computer knowledge towards creating a digital program. These professionals may be required to work on a small element of a minor application or to oversee the production of an entire operating system. They do this by applying skills such as programming, algorithm analysis, and knowledge of computer networks. As such, this is typically an office job that includes a lot of computer use.

A career as a software developer typically requires a bachelor's degree in software engineering, computer science, or related fields. Some employers may prefer applicants who also hold a master's degree. It may also be advisable for students interested in this career to consider earning certification to demonstrate their skill to employers, however, it is not always an application requirement.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the average salary for a software developer in 2019 was $107,510. In addition, they estimated an impressive 22% growth rate for the 2019-2029 period owing to increased industry demand. California is the highest paying state for this profession, followed by Washington and New York.

How to Become a Computer Network Architects

A computer network architect is a professional that designs data communication networks for local or wide areas. They may also maintain that network over its lifetime. These networks can help organizations use their technology to effectively achieve their goals. Some duties include monitoring software for required upgrades and examining a network's security capabilities. This job typically takes place in an office setting with heavy computer use.

The BLS reports that a bachelor's degree in a computer field is required for this job. The BLS also mentions that applicants for this job might benefit from a few years of related experience and that some employers may request that applicants earn product-specific certification.

The salary statistics from 2019 for computer network architects, according to the BLS indicated an annual income of $112,690. A 5% growth rate has been indicated for the 2019-2029 period, owing to a projected increase in information technology needs in the coming years. The highest paying state for this occupation is Virginia, followed by Rhode Island and California.

A bachelor's degree in software engineering is one of many educational options for those interested in the field. Students may choose to complete an associate, master's, or doctoral degree in this subject. These different degree levels can offer different time commitments, depth of content covered, and career opportunities. Students who do not wish to commit to four years of education with a bachelor's degree in software engineering may want to consider an associate degree in the same field. By the same token, those interested in higher educational opportunities after earning their bachelor's may want to consider a master's or doctoral degree. Certificates can also offer educational flexibility.

Associate Degrees in Software Engineering

An Associate Degree of Engineering in Software Development is made up of roughly 65 credits. These typically focus very closely on software engineering with less time spent covering unrelated topics than a bachelor's degree. Additionally, associate programs may do away with more in-depth classes in favor of giving students a well-rounded introduction to the field.

These credits can often be transferred to a bachelor's program of the same field. This makes earning an associate degree in software engineering an efficient option for those who are considering a bachelor's degree down the line. It can also be an option for those who are interested in software engineering but are not currently looking for the financial and time commitment of a bachelor's degree.

Master's Degrees in Software Engineering

A Master of Science in Software Engineering is an education option available to students who have already earned their Bachelor's in the same or a closely related field. It typically is composed of 30-45 credits and can be completed in 1-2 years depending on the program and the student's full-time status.

This degree focuses on sophisticated elements of software engineering, building on previous education. It also typically has a capstone project of independent research that students can use to demonstrate their analytical and research ability. This degree may be helpful in obtaining certain software engineering jobs that may require a master's degree.

Doctoral Degrees in Software Engineering

A Ph.D. in Software Engineering is typically a rigorous, difficult program covering very high sophisticated material. They can take anywhere from two to six years to earn and often include significant amounts of independent research.

This degree requires a bachelor's to apply. Some may also prefer a master's degree as well or some other proof of previous research. These graduate programs may open opportunities for high-level careers such as becoming a college professor or a research director for technical companies.

Certificates in Software Engineering

Certificates in Software Engineering can serve to demonstrate an individual's experience with a certain area of software engineering. These are available as both undergraduate certificates, which have no education prerequisites, or graduate certificates, which might require a bachelor's degree in a similar area to apply.

Depending on the program, these can consist of between 10 and 20 credits, and can usually be completed in around a year. Students who are interested in deepening their understanding of a specific aspect of software engineering may find that certificates offer a way to do so.

For students who have decided to attend an accredited school, the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is an option to help them fund their studies. FAFSA can help students find out what forms of government support they are eligible for. This can include loans, work-study opportunities, and scholarships. Aid is given according to financial need. Additionally, as the FAFSA application process can be lengthy and complex, students are encouraged to complete it as soon as they are able.

Students might also want to consider non-governmental scholarships. One example is The Mary E. and Elmer H. Dohrmann Scholarship at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. This scholarship is available to students majoring in computer science, computer engineering, or software engineering only. They must additionally be enrolled full-time, demonstrate financial need, and be an 'exceptional and deserving' student who also has a promising technology career ahead of them. Awards vary and several students are chosen for the scholarship every year.