Computer Engineering Technologies/Technicians Degree
Students study the practical aspects of computer hardware, networking, embedded systems, and IT infrastructure installation and maintenance. Graduates typically pursue careers as computer support specialists, network technicians, hardware technicians, and IT infrastructure managers. The ever-growing reliance on computing technology ensures steady demand for professionals who can build and maintain computer systems.
What Computer Engineering Technologies/Technicians Graduates Do
Your degree opens two distinct paths: shaping software or building the hardware it runs on. You might spend your days as a software developer, writing the code for a new feature on a massive cloud platform, or as a QA analyst, designing automated tests to intentionally break that feature before users can. Alternatively, you could be an engineering technologist in a lab, physically assembling prototype circuit boards, soldering components, and running diagnostics on complex electronic systems.
Initially, you’ll focus on executing specific tasks, but with experience, you can advance to designing entire systems or managing projects. While software development and QA roles are expanding rapidly, be aware that traditional computer programming jobs are declining and technician roles face very slow growth.
AI is fundamentally reshaping the software-focused careers. AI tools now handle much of the routine coding and testing once performed by junior staff, making entry-level jobs more competitive. Your long-term value will come not from writing basic code, but from architecting systems, verifying AI-generated work, and making critical judgment calls. The hands-on, physical nature of technologist roles, however, provides significant insulation from this disruption.
Common Career Paths
Where Computer Engineering Technologies/Technicians graduates typically work, ranked by salary. Salary ranges show 25th–75th percentile spread. This field has roughly 148,800 combined openings per year.
| Career Path | Salary Range | Openings/yr | Growth | AI Risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Software developers | 115,200 | +15.8% | 87% | |
| Software quality assurance analysts and testers | 14,000 | +10.0% | 88% | |
| Computer programmers | 5,500 | -6.0% | 95% | |
| Engineering technologists and technicians, except drafters, all other | 5,700 | +1.5% | 24% | |
| Electrical and electronic engineering technologists and technicians | 8,400 | +0.6% | 41% |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics, May 2024. Salary range shows 25th–median–75th percentile (national).
Best Schools for Computer Engineering Technologies/Technicians
Top 20 of 29 schools ranked by DegreeOutlook Score. Click any row for full AI scenario analysis and earnings projections.
| # | School | DW Score | Earnings | ROI |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Oregon Institute of Technology Klamath Falls, OR |
77 71–79 |
$82,242/yr | 19.0x |
| 2 | University of Houston-Downtown Houston, TX |
75 68–76 |
$68,144/yr | 25.5x |
| 3 | Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Troy, NY |
69 63–71 |
$94,722/yr | 4.5x |
| 4 | University of Houston Houston, TX |
69 61–71 |
$56,527/yr | 17.4x |
| 5 | Brigham Young University-Idaho Rexburg, ID |
67 60–68 |
$75,836/yr | 39.7x |
| 6 | ECPI University Virginia Beach, VA |
63 55–65 |
$59,330/yr | 9.0x |
| 7 | DeVry College of New York New York, NY |
63 55–64 |
$48,829/yr | 10.6x |
| 8 | DeVry University-Arizona Phoenix, AZ |
63 55–64 |
$48,829/yr | 10.6x |
| 9 | DeVry University-California Ontario, CA |
63 55–64 |
$48,829/yr | 10.6x |
| 10 | DeVry University-Florida Orlando, FL |
63 55–64 |
$48,829/yr | 10.6x |
| 11 | DeVry University-Georgia Decatur, GA |
63 55–64 |
$48,829/yr | 10.6x |
| 12 | DeVry University-Illinois Lisle, IL |
63 55–64 |
$48,829/yr | 10.6x |
| 13 | DeVry University-Ohio Columbus, OH |
63 55–64 |
$48,829/yr | 10.6x |
| 14 | DeVry University-Texas Irving, TX |
63 55–64 |
$48,829/yr | 10.6x |
| 15 | DeVry University-Virginia Arlington, VA |
63 55–64 |
$48,829/yr | 10.6x |
| 16 | CUNY New York City College of Technology Brooklyn, NY |
63 56–64 |
$39,744/yr | 23.7x |
| 17 | Wentworth Institute of Technology Boston, MA |
62 54–63 |
$56,310/yr | 5.0x |
| 18 | Farmingdale State College Farmingdale, NY |
61 53–62 |
$58,419/yr | 16.0x |
| 19 | Indiana State University Terre Haute, IN |
61 53–63 |
$48,639/yr | 13.8x |
| 20 | SUNY Polytechnic Institute Utica, NY |
59 54–60 |
$34,637/yr | 22.6x |
Highest Earning Computer Engineering Technologies/Technicians Programs
Schools where Computer Engineering Technologies/Technicians graduates earn the most in their first year after graduation.
| School | 1-Year Earnings | DW Score |
|---|---|---|
| Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute | $94,722/yr | 69 |
| Oregon Institute of Technology | $82,242/yr | 77 |
| Brigham Young University-Idaho | $75,836/yr | 67 |
| Rochester Institute of Technology | $73,355/yr | 52 |
| Fresno Pacific University | $70,403/yr | 54 |
| University of Houston-Downtown | $68,144/yr | 75 |
| Central Connecticut State University | $60,339/yr | 58 |
| ECPI University | $59,330/yr | 63 |
| Farmingdale State College | $58,419/yr | 61 |
| Full Sail University | $58,321/yr | 52 |
Best ROI for Computer Engineering Technologies/Technicians
Schools with the highest earnings-to-tuition ratio for Computer Engineering Technologies/Technicians.
| School | ROI Multiple | Earnings | DW Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brigham Young University-Idaho | 39.7x | $75,836/yr | 67 |
| Inter American University of Puerto Rico-Bayamon | 25.7x | $32,166/yr | 53 |
| University of Houston-Downtown | 25.5x | $68,144/yr | 75 |
| CUNY New York City College of Technology | 23.7x | $39,744/yr | 63 |
| SUNY Polytechnic Institute | 22.6x | $34,637/yr | 59 |
| Oregon Institute of Technology | 19.0x | $82,242/yr | 77 |
| University of Houston | 17.4x | $56,527/yr | 69 |
| Farmingdale State College | 16.0x | $58,419/yr | 61 |
| Indiana State University | 13.8x | $48,639/yr | 61 |
| Central Connecticut State University | 11.1x | $60,339/yr | 58 |
Related Majors
Explore similar fields of study.
Consider the Trade Route
Not sure a 4-year degree is the right path? Trade programs in Computer Engineering Technologies/Technicians offer shorter timelines, lower debt, and strong AI resilience for hands-on careers.