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Computer field engineer education requirements
Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
There are several educational requirements to become a computer field engineer. Computer field engineers usually study electrical engineering, computer science, or electrical engineering technology. 46% of computer field engineers hold a associate degree, and 34% hold an bachelor's degree. We analyzed 177 real computer field engineer resumes to see exactly what computer field engineer education sections show.
The most common colleges for computer field engineers are the SUNY Buffalo State and the SUNY Buffalo State.
There are also many online computer field engineer courses to help get the education required to be a computer field engineer.
What education do you need to become a computer field engineer?
What degree do you need to be a computer field engineer?
- Associate, 46%
- Bachelor's, 34%
- Diploma, 7%
- High School Diploma, 7%
- Other Degrees, 6%
What should I major in to become a computer field engineer?
- Computer Science, 14%
- Business, 7%
- Other Majors, 44%
Most common colleges for computer field engineers
| Computer field engineer common college | Percentages |
|---|---|
| SUNY Buffalo State | 8.70% |
| Pennsylvania State University | 8.70% |
| Colorado State University | 8.70% |
| Florida Institute of Technology | 4.35% |
| University of Houston | 4.35% |
Best majors for computer field engineers
| Rank | Major | Percentages |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Electrical Engineering | 24.7% |
| 2 | Computer Science | 13.6% |
| 3 | Electrical Engineering Technology | 9.9% |
| 4 | Business | 7.4% |
| 5 | Computer Networking | 7.4% |
Best colleges for computer field engineers
The best colleges for computer field engineers are Johns Hopkins University, Northeastern University, and Carnegie Mellon University.
A computer field engineer with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for computer field engineers. We based this list on several metrics: admissions rate, retention rate, mean earnings of graduates, the ratio of working vs. non-working students ten years after admission, the average cost of attendance, and median debt for graduates who become computer field engineers.
1. Northeastern University
Boston, MA • Private
In-state tuition
$51,522
Enrollment
13,760
2. Minnesota State University - Mankato
Mankato, MN • Private
In-state tuition
$8,184
Enrollment
11,675
3. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
In-state tuition
$55,584
Enrollment
10,764
4. University of Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, PA • Private
In-state tuition
$19,080
Enrollment
19,127
5. Inter American University of Puerto Rico Bayamon
Bayamon, PR • Private
In-state tuition
$5,940
Enrollment
4,169
6. SUNY Polytechnic Institute
Utica, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$8,238
Enrollment
2,120
7. Michigan Technological University
Houghton, MI • Private
In-state tuition
$15,646
Enrollment
5,736
8. Wentworth Institute of Technology
Boston, MA • Private
In-state tuition
$33,950
Enrollment
4,254
9. Rochester Institute of Technology
Rochester, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$42,345
Enrollment
12,886
10. Oklahoma State University
Stillwater, OK • Private
In-state tuition
$9,019
Enrollment
20,323
20 best online courses for computer field engineers
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Top 10 most affordable universities for computer field engineers
The most affordable schools for computer field engineers are California State University - Long Beach, suny farmingdale, and suny polytechnic institute.
If the best universities for computer field engineers are out of your price range, check out these affordable schools. After factoring in in-state tuition and fees, the average cost of attendance, admissions rate, average net price, and mean earnings after six years, we found that these are the most affordable schools for computer field engineers.
1. California State University - Long Beach
Long Beach, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,798
Cost of attendance
18,306
2. SUNY Farmingdale
Farmingdale, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$8,306
Cost of attendance
16,091
3. SUNY Polytechnic Institute
Utica, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$8,238
Cost of attendance
21,567
4. Inter American University of Puerto Rico Bayamon
Bayamon, PR • Private
In-state tuition
$5,940
Cost of attendance
13,508
5. Inter American University of Puerto Rico Ponce
Mercedita, PR • Private
In-state tuition
$5,914
Cost of attendance
13,564
6. Purdue University
West Lafayette, IN • Private
In-state tuition
$9,992
Cost of attendance
22,430
7. Brigham Young University
Provo, UT • Private
In-state tuition
$5,620
Cost of attendance
18,136
8. Inter American University of Puerto Rico Barranquitas
Barranquitas, PR • Private
In-state tuition
$5,902
Cost of attendance
13,479
9. Inter American University of Puerto Rico Aguadilla
Aguadilla, PR • Private
In-state tuition
$5,902
Cost of attendance
13,284
10. California State Polytechnic University, Pomona
Pomona, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$7,353
Cost of attendance
21,302
Top 10 hardest universities to get into for computer field engineers
The hardest universities for computer field engineers to get into are Johns Hopkins University, Northeastern University, and Carnegie Mellon University.
Some great schools for computer field engineers are hard to get into, but they also set your career up for greater success. The list below shows the most challenging universities to get into for computer field engineers based on an institution's admissions rates, average SAT scores accepted, median ACT scores accepted, and mean earnings of students six years after admission.
1. Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD • Private
Admissions rate
11%
SAT average
1,513
2. Northeastern University
Boston, MA • Private
Admissions rate
19%
SAT average
1,466
3. Carnegie Mellon University
Pittsburgh, PA • Private
Admissions rate
17%
SAT average
1,507
4. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,492
5. Boston University
Boston, MA • Private
Admissions rate
22%
SAT average
1,420
6. Southern Methodist University
Dallas, TX • Private
Admissions rate
51%
SAT average
1,395
7. Stanford University
Stanford, CA • Private
Admissions rate
4%
SAT average
1,497
8. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,508
9. University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA • Private
Admissions rate
13%
SAT average
1,445
10. New York University
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
20%
SAT average
1,419
Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for computer field engineers
The easiest schools for computer field engineers to get into are Oregon Institute of Technology, capitol technology university, and kean university.
Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a computer field engineer without much hassle, check out the list of schools where you will be accepted in no time. We compiled admissions rates, average SAT scores, average ACT scores, and average salary of students six years after graduation to uncover which were the easiest schools to get into for computer field engineers.
1. Oregon Institute of Technology
Klamath Falls, OR • Private
Admissions rate
96%
SAT average
1,139
2. Capitol Technology University
Laurel, MD • Private
Admissions rate
69%
SAT average
1,070
3. Kean University
Union, NJ • Private
Admissions rate
86%
SAT average
991
4. Pennsylvania State University - Altoona
Altoona, PA • Private
Admissions rate
91%
SAT average
1,094
5. Purdue University Fort Wayne
Fort Wayne, IN • Private
Admissions rate
97%
SAT average
1,080
6. Pennsylvania State University - Berks
Reading, PA • Private
Admissions rate
87%
SAT average
1,107
7. Cleveland State University
Cleveland, OH • Private
Admissions rate
88%
SAT average
1,111
8. South Dakota State University
Brookings, SD • Private
Admissions rate
92%
SAT average
1,149
9. Ferris State University
Big Rapids, MI • Private
Admissions rate
81%
SAT average
1,070
10. Pennsylvania State University - York
York, PA • Private
Admissions rate
85%
SAT average
1,164
Average computer field engineer salary by education level
| Computer field engineer education level | Computer field engineer salary |
|---|---|
| Master's Degree | $161,030 |
| High School Diploma or Less | $116,681 |
| Bachelor's Degree | $134,468 |
| Doctorate Degree | $151,691 |
| Some College/ Associate Degree | $119,973 |
Computer field engineer education FAQs
Have more questions? See all answers to common computer and mathematical questions.
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Updated January 8, 2025
Updated January 8, 2025