Computer Engineering is a major within the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE). Computer engineering is the design and use of computing systems at all levels. This major may interest you if you enjoy understanding, designing, and working with computers. In this major, you will learn every part of a computer system from top to bottom. As a computer engineer, you will be well prepared to create the wide array of computing systems and devices that we all use and depend on every day.
Career options include computer system architecture, GPU architecture, hardware design, microprocessor design, programming, research, and software architecture.
- Our computer engineering program is ranked #6 by U.S. News & World Report.
- 84% of students reported having an internship or co-op during their degree program.
- 93% of students reported securing their first choice destination upon graduation.
- The average starting salary for a computer engineering graduate is $105,352 with a median signing bonus of $15,000.
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What You'll Study
The computer engineering core curriculum focuses on fundamental computer engineering knowledge: circuits, systems, electromagnetics, computer systems, electronics for information processing and communication, and computer science. Instruction is given using a combination of lecture, discussion, laboratory, and project methodologies of the highest quality. The large number of laboratory courses and superb access to advanced computer facilities provide excellent practical experience in the field. Engineering design, communication, and teamwork are integrated throughout the curriculum.
The rich set of ECE elective courses in addition to labs permits you to concentrate in any sub-discipline of computer engineering including: hardware systems; cyber physical systems; foundations and theory; software and languages; algorithms and mathematical tools; trust, reliability, security; networking, mobile and distributed computing; big data analytics and systems; artificial intelligence, robotics, cybernetics. Joining the computer engineering program as a Grainger Engineering student will provide you with a strong foundation coupled with advanced coursework in the area(s) of your choosing.
The computer engineering curriculum prepares you to be able to create the wide array of computing systems and devices that we all use and depend upon every day. About seventeen percent of our computer engineering graduates continue their education in graduate school, and about seventy-four percent take positions in industry.
Graduates also pursue careers in computer system architecture, GPU architecture, hardware design, microprocessor design, programming, research and software architecture. The average salary between 2020-21 for computer engineering grads was reported as $105,352 with a median signing bonus of $15,000.
employed or continuing education
employed after graduation
attending graduate school
average starting annual income
Sample employer destinations: Microsoft, Amazon, Capital One View All
Sample grad school destinations: University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Carnegie Mellon University, Stanford University View All
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Take a Tour
Want to see the Electrical and Computer Engineering Building?Complete the form below, or, to take a self-guided tour, pick up a tour booklet near the ECE Office of Advancement in the northeast corner of the building’s first floor.
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