15 Best Master’s of Computer Engineering

Designed for busy working professionals, the Master’s of Science in Computer Engineering at Texas A&M University-College Station is available both on-campus and online. The two master’s programs are identical to each other, so you don’t have to worry about sacrificing quality when you choose to study from a distance.  

Regardless of the location you choose, you’ll benefit from extensive opportunities for research and degree customization. You can pursue your unique professional interests and goals as you work your way toward a Master’s of Science in Computer Engineering.

Some of the most popular areas of research include: 

• Electronic Design Automation
• Computer Science Topics
• Computer Networks and Internet
• Computer Hardware
• Artificial Intelligence

You’ll gain strong foundational training in core concepts like physics and mathematics so you don’t necessarily have to have a background in these fields to apply. You can choose between multiple tracks, too, including electrical engineering and computer science. You’ll take core classes like Network Coding and Mobile Wireless Networking regardless of the pathway you select. 

A top-ranked university by U.S. News & World Report, Texas A&M University is not only one of the best schools when it comes to academic quality, but also in terms of its affordability and flexibility, too. No GRE scores are required to be admitted to this master’s in computer engineering.

Purdue University is located in West Lafayette, IN, but you don’t have to live anywhere near the Midwest to apply to this school’s exemplary Master’s in Computer Engineering. This 30-credit hour computer engineering program is offered both as an on-campus program and online. 

This computer science and computer engineering department is home to more than 700 students from nearby as well as around the world. Many of these students will also enroll in eventual doctoral studies, making it a great Master’s in Computer Engineering program if you’re considering a Ph.D.

Despite the graduate program’s large size, you’ll enjoy close connections with faculty and staff and a small student-to-faculty ratio as you complete the Master of Science in Computer Engineering.

It’s equipped with numerous specializations so that you can tailor your studies toward your career goals. Some of the courses you will take include: 

• Computer Science
• Computer Systems
• Communication Systems and Networks
• Machine Learning
• Advanced Computer Architecture

Don’t just take our word for it, either—Purdue is top-ranked by major publications such as the U.S. News & World Report. It’s hailed by this ranking organization as one of the Best National Universities and its graduate engineering programs are highly regarded, too. 

Another great program for candidates considering doctoral studies is the master’s in computer engineering at the University of Illinois. This Master of Science in Computer Engineering program requires approximately 32 credit hours of study, but you won’t be pigeonholed by a restrictive list of course requirements. Instead, you can take roughly a dozen credits from any other department.

As a result, this computer engineering degree is one of the most flexible programs on this list. You can take courses in several specializations, including 

• Signal Processing
• Power and Energy Systems
• Biomedical Imaging
• Computer Systems

Your opportunities to learn will extend far outside the classroom, too. You can work closely with faculty members as you complete research in some areas, such as integrated circuits or communications. In many cases, you’ll be able to publish that research, too.

One of the best (and most unique) features of this Master’s in Computer Engineering is that it also enables you to pursue a vast array of funding opportunities. 

You can choose to apply for fellowships through the university (both institutional and endowed fellowships are available).  You can also apply outside fellowships or even industrial fellowships from a third-party source to your tuition and fees. These awards will not only help you gain experience but to cover most (or all) of the expenses associated with graduate school, too.

Each year, the graduate programs in the Department of Computer Science and Computer Engineering at the University of Maryland prepare more than 300 students for successful careers in: 

• Computer Engineering Research
• Computer Hardware and Software Engineering Development
• Hands-on Computer Engineering work

This is done not only through the computer engineering department’s many integrative, research-oriented programs but also through the extensive opportunities for research and career training here. You’ll be able to work in an interdisciplinary fashion alongside colleagues in other college departments like mathematics and chemistry as you complete your master’s degree. 

Through this graduate degree, you’ll also be granted the opportunity to work with many technical facilities and international laboratories located on or in partnership with the University of Maryland campus. Regardless of how you choose to structure your studies, you’ll develop your computer engineering skills through core classes in areas like: 

• Bioelectronics and Systems
• Computer Science
• Quantum Research
• Advanced Computer Architecture

The opportunities you’ll have for research here simply cannot be overlooked. You’ll have access to state-of-the-art research facilities where you can conduct work to support new developments in areas like: 

• Communication Systems
• Embedded Systems
• Software Engineering
• Fiber Optics

The University of Maryland’s research programs are supported by funding of more than $36 million each year, making this school a fabulous choice for aspiring computer engineers.

Ohio State University is another university with a prestigious master’s degree in computer engineering. It’s so prestigious that only about 10% of all applicants each year are admitted to this program. This computer engineering program is academically rigorous and well-recognized within the industry. 

The computer engineering master’s degree provides prospective students with a vast array of options as they relate to the field of computer engineering and electrical engineering. Degree requirements include hands-on classes such as: 

• Communication Systems
• Computer Science
• Embedded Systems
• Electro-Optics and Photo-Optics

The computer engineering degree comes with two potential tracks—a research track and a project track. The research track requires a thesis, while the project track will enable you to complete a personally designed project in an interest area instead. 

Computer engineering courses are taught by industry-recognized experts. Not only will you have the opportunity to learn from these professionals as you complete your studies, but you’ll also be able to engage in groundbreaking research in computer engineering as you do so. Computer engineering graduates can pursue a wide variety of careers.

If you can’t decide where exactly you’d like your work in computer engineering to take you, you may want to consider pursuing a Master’s in Computer Engineering at UT Austin. This large university offers nine separate programs based out of the Department of Computer Science and Computer Engineering, enabling you to pursue the program of your dreams while also exploring all the resources offered at the university. 

Each computer engineering concentration is incredibly research-focused. You will be able to work in state-of-the-art laboratories as you conduct individual and team-based research with the university’s accomplished faculty members. 

Although each set of computer engineering courses will vary for every student depending on the chosen concentration, some of the most common requirements include: 

• Design of Computer-Controlled Systems
• Computer Networks
• Embedded Systems
• Data Mining

When it comes to concentrations you can choose from, you’ll enjoy options such as: 

• Plasma/Quantum Electronics
• Software Engineering and Systems
• Computer Architecture

With all the options available, UT Austin’s computer engineering master’s programs are worth checking out!

Located in Atlanta, GA, the Georgia Institute of Technology is one of the country’s leading public research institutions. With a commitment to improving the world via science and technology, Georgia Tech is one of the top ten public universities in the country, according to the U.S. News & World Report.

Enroll in one of the computer engineering master’s programs at Georgia Tech, and you’ll enjoy a technology-focused education as you study alongside a large student body of 25,000 other students. Despite the large enrollment, class sizes here are small, helping you get the most out of expertly designed courses that are rigorous, hands-on, and career-relevant. 

Some of the computer engineering courses you will take include: 

• Computational Data Analysis
• Computer Hardware
• Computer Systems
• High-Performance Computing
• Wireless Networks

In all of these courses, you’ll enjoy a tech-focused education that will prepare you to invent, create, develop, synthesize, and troubleshoot in all areas of computer engineering. 

To apply to Georgia Tech’s master’s in computer engineering program, be prepared to submit an official application along with: 

• Bachelor’s degree transcripts
• GRE or GMAT test scores
• Letters of recommendation
• A personal statement
• A resume

Another one of the country’s top public research universities is the University of Florida, located in Gainesville, FL. This school, home to a whopping population of more than 54,000 students, is ranked among the top ten public universities in the country by U.S. News & World Report.

Here, you’ll find one of the world’s best Master’s in Electrical Engineering and Computer Engineering. This computer engineering program is available both as a Master of Science as well as a Master of Engineering and is a great option for future computer engineers.

Some of the degree requirements include: 

• Computer Programming
• Computer Architecture
• Foundations of Digital Signal Processing
• Reconfigurable Computing

However, you’ll be able to pick and choose among many other computer engineering courses as you design your graduate studies.

Enroll at the University of Florida, and you’re making a smart choice for your career, your future, and your wallet. More than 95% of students admitted to this computer engineering program will complete it successfully, with students recruited to top organizations around the globe for internships and full-time employment opportunities.  

Aspiring computer engineers, you won’t want to miss this one. The University of Georgia’s College of Computer Science and Engineering is among the top computer engineering schools.

Here, you will find:

• Eight different bachelor’s degrees
• Seven different master’s degrees
• Multiple dual degrees 
• Several combined bachelors and masters

Earn a Master of Science with an Electrical Engineering and Computer Engineering concentration, and you shouldn’t have any problem finding a job. A whopping 97% of all computer engineering graduates find employment within just six months of graduation, with undergraduate candidates earning an average of $103,000 salary upon completing their degrees. 

All computer engineering programs are accredited by ABET, the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology. The Master’s of Science in Computer Engineering comes with two separate options:

• Thesis option
• Non-Thesis option

The thesis option requires a minimum of six hours of research, while the non-thesis will enable you to take six credit hours in additional emphasis area courses. You’ll also be able to complete a research project and a master’s project report in an area of interest. 

At the University of California-Los Angeles, the school is known as “the grounds of optimism.” 

What does that mean? It means that, as a UCLA student, you’ll learn far beyond the classroom as you gain the skills necessary to engage with the modern world. You’ll study on the same campus where more than 140 new companies have been created based on UCLA-driven technology, and you’ll become the catalyst for new research and development of your own. 

The graduate-level computer engineering programs at UCLA are nothing short of remarkable, and that’s especially true when you consider the impressive Master of Science in Computer Engineering and Electrical Engineering. This computer engineering program is designed for students who have a bachelor’s degree in engineering or computer science. The master’s degree provides a solid graduate-level education while also allowing students to cater their education to their unique interests. 

You can pursue a course-based, project-based, or thesis-based education here. You’ll complete seven to nine graduate courses as well as upper-division classes in an interest area. Specialization areas include: 

• Physical and Wave Electronics
• Circuits and Embedded Systems
• Signals and Systems

Upon special petitioning with your faculty advisors, you may also be able to create a customizable academic track to suit your needs. 

Rutgers University, located in New Brunswick, NJ, has dozens of programs for graduate and undergraduate students to choose from. However, its engineering programs are some of the most popular and produce the best computer engineers. The Electrical and Computer Engineering Department at Rutgers is one of the largest, with more than 350 graduate students and 38 faculty members. 

Accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, the Master of Science in Electrical Engineering and Computer Engineering offers both a thesis and a non-thesis track. This computer engineering degree is perfect for professionals who wish to enter the industry directly or to continue their studies at the doctoral level. 

You’ll learn from world-class faculty who are actively engaged in research of all kinds, from wireless systems to virtual reality technologies. You’ll take a handful of foundational and more advanced classes to help give you the computer engineering skills for cutting-edge research and top industry employment.

You’ll be able to choose from areas of specialization including: 

• Software Engineering
• Solid-state Electronics
• Computer Architecture
• Communications Engineering

While you’re enrolled in this 30-credit hour Master’s in Computer Engineering, you’ll be able to explore multiple opportunities for research with expert faculty. You’ll conduct research in the university’s state-of-the-art labs and facilities, including: 

• The SiCLAB
• The Wireless Information Network Laboratory
• The Center for Autonomic Computing

Graduate students’ research is frequently published in high-profile journals and receives recognition and funding from industry partners. 

Arizona State University, located in Tempe, AZ, offers a Master of Science in Computer Engineering that can be completed both online as well as on-campus. This computer engineering degree offers a unique concentration in software engineering along with numerous specialized courses that will train you in the fundamental principles of software engineering.

Offered by the Ira A. Fulton School of Engineering, this program is ranked as one of the best in the country. That’s unsurprising, given that Arizona State University-Tempe is frequently ranked as one of the Best National Universities in the country by the U.S. News & World Report. 

Available as a stand-alone program as well as a combined degree, this Master of Science in Computer Engineering makes it possible for you to earn both a master’s and a bachelor’s in as little as five years. As an accelerated program, it’s the perfect choice for motivated students who want to complete their graduate studies as quickly as possible.

Requiring 30 credit hours of study, this Master’s in Computer Engineering includes core courses such as Random Signal Theory and Foundations of Algorithms. 

There are both thesis and non-thesis options available in this master’s in computer engineering program. Regardless of the option you choose, the application requirements are the same. Be prepared to submit the graduate application or admission along with: 

• Official transcripts from undergraduate work
• A personal statement
• GRE test scores (if your bachelor’s degree program was not ABET-accredited)
• Letters of recommendation

Founded in 1965, the University of California-Irvine was created to improve the lives of the local community (and the world) through: 

• Rigorous academics
• Stellar public service
• State-of-the-art research

With 82 majors and 75 minors to choose from, it might be tough for you to decide where to take your studies when you enroll at this prestigious school. However, the Master of Science in Computer Engineering should be a top contender as you narrow down your list of choices. This computer engineering program provides learners with a solid education in the development, design, and evaluation of computer systems. 

The computer engineering program is equipped with several pathways for specialization. You can choose to pursue concentrations in fields like: 

• Computer Software Engineering
• Computer Architecture
• Embedded Systems

You’ll complete around 12 core courses along with a thesis or a comprehensive examination. You’ll be able to create your own computer engineering graduate studies with the help of your faculty advisor. 

This computer engineering degree isn’t just one of the best in terms of its academic quality—it’s also one of the most affordable. You’ll be eligible to apply for a variety of funding opportunities from teaching assistantships to fellowships and even work as a graduate student researcher. 

The master’s in computer engineering at the University of California-San Diego is competitive in that you must apply not only to the university but to the program directly when you apply for admission. Don’t let its competitive nature deter you from doing so, though—this university offers some of the best master’s degrees in the country. 

Here, you’ll benefit from a computer engineering curriculum that includes studies in both software engineering and hardware engineering. This enables you to engage in several competency-based assessments so that you can move quickly through the curriculum as you demonstrate what you know (rather than simply that you’ve earned the required credits).

You’ll gain the computer engineering skills necessary to be successful in modern-day computing and engineering as well as to anticipate future developments. 

You’ll take several courses and conduct unique research in areas like: 

• Embedded Systems
• Computer Programming
• Computer Architecture 
• Artificial Intelligence
• Computer Systems

Since the University of California-San Diego is one of the country’s top research institutions, you’ll also benefit from dozens of centers and laboratories here that are dedicated to specific research areas, too. For example, you may choose to conduct interdisciplinary research in specific areas like Nanoscale Devices in one of the country’s top-ranked research facilities. 

As one of the country’s first land, sea, and space grant institutions, North Carolina State University in Raleigh is one of the best schools for computer engineering. NC State’s computer engineering programs provide future computer engineers with extensive research opportunities. Not only is this school a leader in STEM research and education, but it also provides learners with an excellent return on investment. 

One of the most affordable programs in the country, NC State is ranked as one of the top public universities by Princeton Review as well as by U.S. News & World Report. The Master of Science in Computer Engineering is available on-campus as well as entirely online. 

Consisting of 30 credit hours of study, this computer engineering program is perfect for students who possess bachelor’s degrees in engineering. You’ll take classes in important subjects such as: 

• Wireless Communication
• VLSI Systems
• Computer Hardware
• Computer Architecture
• Embedded Systems

Upon enrollment, you’ll be assigned to a faculty advisor who will help you develop a customized plan of study. 

To apply, you’ll need to have a GPA of at least 3.25 from your bachelor’s degree work. You will also need to submit three letters of recommendation, GRE scores, and a formal application for admission to this computer engineering program. It can be completed on a full- or part-time basis.  

• Computer engineering core courses
• Computer engineering electives courses
• Courses spec
  • Specialization area examples are:
    • Computer Networks and Control
    • Signal Processing
    • Embedded Systems