What can you do with a Computer Engineering degree from California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo?

First, some facts. Of the Computer Engineering graduates from California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo we've analyzed , here's how many have used (or NOT used) their degree in their career:


These are estimates based on AI analysis of 14 LinkedIn profiles (see below).

The verdict? Great! Overall, with an average relevance score of 91%, Computer Engineering graduates from California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo have a substantially higher likelihood (+24%) of finding work in this field compared to the average graduate across all fields:

Average score: 91%
Average relevance score across all fields: 67%

And for comparison, here's the chart for all profiles we've looked at across all degrees.

× Chart

Also, after graduating, only 21% of these graduates have pursued further education other than another Bachelor's degree (such as a Masters degree or other), compared to the average across all profiles of 35%. This suggests a Bachelors degree is enough for most Computer Engineering graduates, and it's normal to look for work straight after graduation.

See the details:

View a random Computer Engineering graduate from California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo and our analysis:


Relevance score: 100%

We think this person has gone into a career highly relevant to their degree.

DEGREE INFO

Graduated in 2018 from California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo with a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Computer Engineering. No other secondary education since.

JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATION
Computer Engineer
Logical Approach Engineering
Jun 2018 - Present
As a Computer Engineer at Logical Approach Engineering, the role directly utilizes skills and knowledge gained from the Bachelor's degree in Computer Engineering, requiring specific technical expertise on a daily basis.

ABOUT

No information provided.

What jobs can you get with a Computer Engineering degree from California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo?

The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:


When you look at the job roles that graduates from California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo with a degree in Computer Engineering have taken on, a few common themes pop up. A significant number of them have landed roles like Software Engineer, Systems Software Engineer, and various positions that involve cloud operations or embedded systems. These are all pretty technical jobs that require a solid understanding of the principles and practices taught in computer engineering, so you can see a direct connection to the coursework and skills they learned during their studies.

However, it's important to point out that not all jobs are 100% relevant. Some graduates have taken positions like Project Engineer or even retail roles, which don’t really utilize the core skills from their computer engineering education. While some of these roles may have transferable skills, they generally don’t tap into the technical engineering knowledge that a Computer Engineering degree provides. Overall, it seems that many graduates are leveraging their education effectively in technical roles, but there's also a notable percentage exploring other career paths that might not align as closely with their degree.

Here is a visual representation of the most common words in job titles for Computer Engineering graduates (this is across all Computer Engineering graduates we've analyzed, not just those who went to California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo):

What kind of career trajectories do Computer Engineering graduates from California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo have? What do they do 1, 5 or 10 years out?

It looks like graduates from California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo with a degree in Computer Engineering are generally finding solid opportunities, especially in the tech sector. For their first jobs, many of these graduates are landing roles that align closely with their studies, like software engineering or system engineering positions. For example, the 2018 grads have stepped right into roles at well-known tech companies like Apple and Aruba, and even those who started in internships seem to have transitioned into full-time engineering roles. This indicates a strong skill set and a good job market for their expertise right after graduation.

Fast-forward five to ten years down the line, and it seems like many are thriving in their careers. We see some alumni moving up the ranks within major companies like Sandia National Laboratories and Lockheed Martin, even achieving senior positions. Others, like recent graduates who’ve taken on roles such as Software Engineer or Systems Engineer, are also on paths that suggest steady growth. Of course, not every path seems perfectly linear—some graduates have shifted industries or taken detours. However, the general trend points to a robust career trajectory for most, with a strong focus on jobs that relate directly to computer engineering. Overall, it looks like a degree from Cal Poly is serving its graduates well, letting them carve out solid niches in the tech industry.

How hard is a Computer Engineering degree from California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo?

Getting a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Engineering at Cal Poly SLO is definitely on the challenging side, but it's also super rewarding. The program is known for its rigorous curriculum, so you'll be diving deep into subjects like digital systems, microprocessors, and embedded systems. They mix a lot of hands-on projects with theoretical work, which can be a lot to juggle, especially if you're not super comfortable with math or coding yet. That said, if you're passionate about tech and ready to put in the effort, you might find it easier than you expect. Just be prepared for some late nights and occasional stress, but also a ton of valuable learning experiences!

How long does it take?

Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 4 years to finish a Bachelor degree in Computer Engineering.

Do Computer Engineering graduates from California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo tend to make good money?

So, looking at these Computer Engineering grads from Cal Poly, it seems like they’re doing pretty well overall, especially considering the tech industry's reputation for decent pay. The ones who started their careers at places like Sandia National Laboratories, Apple, and Qualcomm are likely raking in a solid salary, not to mention potential bonuses or stock options. Even those who’ve moved into project management or engineering roles at companies like Lockheed Martin and General Atomics seem to be on the right track, as these firms typically offer good compensation packages. Sure, there might be a few who started out with less flashy roles, like an intern or a sales floor position, but they’ve all transitioned into roles that are generally considered lucrative in the tech scene. All in all, I'd say these folks are probably making decent money and setting themselves up for a bright financial future!

What buzzwords do Computer Engineering graduates use to describe themselves?

Here is a visual representation of the most common words seen in the "about" section of LinkedIn profiles who have a Bachelor degree in Computer Engineering (this is across all Computer Engineering graduates we've analyzed, not just those who went to California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo). This may or may not be useful:

What are the best colleges for Computer Engineering?

Here are all colleges offering a Bachelor degree in Computer Engineering (ordered by the average relevance score of their Computer Engineering graduates, best to worst) where we have analyzed at least 10 of their graduates:

College Score Count
University of Florida 95 18
Michigan State University 94 10
Brigham Young University 94 10
Penn State University 92 14
California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo 91 14
University of Central Florida 90 14
Georgia Institute of Technology 90 14
Purdue University 86 34
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign 86 30
Iowa State University 86 25
Texas A&M University 85 17
San Jose State University 85 16
Clemson University 85 14
Dwarkadas J. Sanghvi College of Engineering 85 10
North Dakota State University 84 12
Savitribai Phule Pune University 83 25
University of Mumbai 82 43
New Jersey Institute of Technology 81 11
University of North Carolina at Charlotte 79 11
California State Polytechnic University-Pomona 76 11
The University of Texas at Dallas 76 18
University of South Florida 69 10
Gujarat Technological University, Ahmedbabd 55 13